Scholarships

For the college-bound individual, scholarships can be a great way to help offset the growing cost of a college education. Everyone wants to get free money for school, but not everyone is sure of the best way of going about getting it. With the wide variety of scholarships available, it can actually be easier than you think.

Scholarships are usually given out by businesses and individuals to students they believe are worthy of the reward because of academic merit or athletic ability. There are, however, many ways to become eligible for a scholarship besides having a 4.0 GPA or a great throwing arm. Some scholarships are based in particular fields, like nursing or engineering, while others are awarded to those of certain ethnic minorities and are available to those of Native American, Hispanic or African American descent. There are even scholarships for things that you never thought there'd be scholarships for, like being left handed. No matter who you are, or where you're from, there is a scholarship out there that you can qualify for if you just know where to look.

Once you figure out which scholarships you want to pursue, you'll need to begin the process of actually applying. Different awards have different requirements. Some require that you submit essays on topics, which usually vary according to what the scholarship is being awarded for, and others require that you take additional tests and placement exams to qualify. Make sure you read and understand the requirements before you apply, and pay close attention to the deadlines. You don't want to miss out on valuable college assistance because you sent in your application too late.

There are a few things you'll need to be careful of when applying for scholarships, whether they are for undergraduate or graduate programs. Firstly, if a scholarship seems to be too good to be true, it might be. The scholarships listed here are safe, but some listed in other places may not be. Check it out before you submit any of your personal information, especially if they're asking for money. Secondly, some of your scholarships may be considered taxable depending on what you're using it for. This is rare, as money used towards tuition and other required fees is tax-free, but it's better to be safe than have to deal with the IRS knocking at your door later.

Also, if you've received a scholarship from the college you will be attending, check to see what their policy is on outside scholarships. Often, if you are receiving outside aid, it reduces the amount that your college is willing to offer you, especially if your award from the college was need based.

Whether you're looking for a Catholic scholarship or a Baptist scholarship, or just something to help you with that outrageous law school tuition, there are some great options for funding to make paying for college a lot easier on the wallet.