Graduating Early: Should I and How Should I

With an increasing number of students taking and passing AP tests during their senior, sometimes junior, years of high school, early college graduation is an option for many. At numerous schools, entering college with AP credits is the norm—and I’m not just referring to the Ivy Leagues. When students enter their freshman year with sophomore status, they will have some choices to make. Here are some things to consider before deciding whether you should leave or hang around.

Financing

Let’s start with the practical. For some students, financing is not a problem. They can afford to stay the whole four years—or will choose to stay, regardless of financial need. For others, this is not the case. Students who are already burdened down by loans may want to seriously consider early graduation. Yes, the college experience is important, but so is the post-college experience. Things like travel and board may not be a big deal until you have to drive 45 minutes to get to work. Also remember that additional expenses kick in after college. You may be unable to claim dependency on medical policies and tax returns, you don’t get good-grade discount on car insurance, and your movie tickets will cost more than $8.

Interests

Even those who are passionate about their major are likely to have unrelated interests. Most colleges do force students to take classes outside of their major, and, whether students like it or not, they will get a taste of something else. However, many students find ways to get around these requirements. They turn the opportunity to explore interests into the chance to take classes that scream experience on a resume or ones that scream easy credit—I’m not saying that I’m not guilty.

College is a great place to take classes that are odd and interesting, even if they mean extra homework. I wish I would have taken that class on Middle Eastern relations. It may sound odd to you, but it sounded cool to me. It would have made my hard life harder, but when am I going to get that chance again?

If you like college and want to explore options before leaving, you should do so. Just don’t stretch it. When I spoke to my counselor about leaving early, she was adamantly opposed to it. “Think of all those things you wanted to do,” she said. “You will have time to take those ice skating classes you dreamt about.” Ice skating? I don’t want to ice skate, especially if it costs $13,000 per year.

Those who have their minds made up

If you’re reading this article because you know what you want but need help getting there, here are my suggestions. Know that to graduate early, you need to stay organized: you need to plan ahead.

o Get a list of graduation requirements. Check your college department website or contact your counselor for a list of required classes as they relate to your major. Take note of how many total credits, not just which classes, you will need. If you plan to graduate early by taking additional classes, split them up between semesters and, if possible, take some over the summer.
o Pay attention to seasonally-changing classes. Some advanced-level classes may only be taken after the lower levels are accounted for. However, both levels may not be offered each semester. Take the lower levels as early as possible to make future scheduling easier. If this is your last semester and the required Biology 205 and Chemistry 302 are offered at the same time, you may have a problem. I know. You totally would have taken Bio 100 if it was offered last semester. Don’t worry, this scenario is very avoidable.
o Let your counselor know. Oftentimes, students need to declare their decision to graduate months ahead. Schools, especially big ones, assume that you will graduate within a certain amount of years. Let your counselor know about your plans, and ask who else, and when, needs a heads up.
o Don’t be swayed. Counselors are there to help you, and it’s always good to take outside opinions into consideration. However, counselors cannot figure you out from short meetings and experience with other students does not always apply to you. If you know what you want, don’t ask if you can. Ask how you can.

College Board to Leave Lender Industry

Effective October 15, 2007, College Board will no longer accept student loan applications. College Board, best known for administering the SAT and AP tests, announced its decision to leave the lender industry on August 22nd. In a press release, College Board stated that legislation aimed at curbing unethical relations between lenders and colleges made it too difficult to cover costs associated with education professional meetings.

The legislation was created as a result of findings that numerous lenders made payments to colleges in exchange for spots on college preferred lender lists. Legislation included a more concrete definition of a lending institution—which categorized College Board as a lender—and restrictions on lender payments to financial aid officials. Although College Board does not itself lend money to students, it receives payments from lenders for allowing students to sign up. As it is now considered a lender, it can no longer offer funds to the financial aid officials it works with.

The meetings College Board convenes for education professionals are now subject to strict regulations. Under new rules, College Board would no longer be able to reimburse members for travel and lodging expenses. Edna Johnson, a College Board spokeswoman stated, “If we no longer reimburse the educators, then only those educators from schools, colleges and universities with the financial resources to pay for the travel and the accommodation would attend.” The meetings held by College Board include discussions of practices for assisting families in paying for an education and tactics for effective administration of financial aid programs.

The new decision is likely to affect lenders more than it does College Board and the students who search for financial aid. According to the Washington Post, College Board issued 74,000 loans valued at $400 million in 2007, and the year is not over. However, less than 1 percent of College Board’s revenue comes from the lending sector.

Students who signed up with College Board aren’t the losers in this decision either. Those who wish to take out loans with companies represented by College Board may still do so by contacting lenders directly. They may be forced to do some extra research, but that’s a good thing.

Students Returning from College, Without Diplomas

Ever been told to finish what you started? That’s not bad advice. Students are being taught the value of a good education, and the counsel is working. College entrance rates have been going up for years. Classrooms are filling up, and dormitories are busting at the seams. Whether or not students are graduating is a different story.

According to a 2006 study conducted by ACT, a not-for-profit organization providing research services, only 74.5% of first-year students attending public four-year colleges return the following year. Those attending private four-year colleges fared a bit better, but barely. Graduation rates at private colleges were only .7% better than those at public ones, down from 5.8% in 1988. Sending a student to a more expensive private college is unlikely to solve the problem.

And arguing that these students are simply transferring doesn’t cut it either. According to an article released by the Associated Press, only 54% of students who entered a four-year university in 1997 had a degree six years later. Unless you’re Van Wilder, you should have something to show after six years.

Despite a spike in the number of students who attend college and obtain degrees, a high dropout percentage continues to be a problem. As a matter of fact, the rate is the same as it was in 1988. So many more ambitious students are vying for each college spot, but about one in four still quits after the first year. What’s the problem?

According to the ACT survey, the top two factors contributing to student failure were lack of motivation and inadequate financial resources. These two problems can be solved, but students need to take matters into their own hands.

Lack of student motivation was ranked as the biggest determinant of college failure—even more than a student’s academic fit for a particular school. This means that a student who can get their act together need not be discouraged by campus nerds. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

Students should also keep their future in mind during stressful college times. Those who have yet to pinpoint a career may have a hard time identifying goals, but obtaining a degree is a great goal in itself. A degree gives students options. Those who change their minds about future plans may always return to school. In the mean time, a degree gives students something to fall back on.

As you surely know, more jobs than before require degrees. In fact, degrees are just the beginning. It is not uncommon for an employer to look your resume up and down and declare that your impressive background would make you a perfect fit for the company: no one would match your paper-filing skills.

The second biggest obstacle standing between a student and their degree was financial need. Students who spend a bundle on their education may suffer financially after dropping out. No education and no money is not a good combo. There are plenty of financial aid options, and students should take advantage of them.

The best money is, of course, free money. By filing a FASFA and searching Scholarships.com for grant and scholarship opportunities, students have the chance to find free college funding, no strings attached. Those who can save ahead of time should look into setting up a college savings account. Some good choices may be the 529 and the Coverdell as they allow students to accumulate money, tax-free. For more savings account options, visit http://www.scholarships.com/resources. Loans, as a last resort, can generally be obtained at lower rates when borrowed from the government. Take advantage of any aid offered. Don’t leave your purchase at the door: get the degree and the education you paid for.

Pell Grants Increase While Lender Subsidies Decrease

On Friday June 20, the Senate approved the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 by a vote of 78-18. The bill, if approved by the House, would increase Pell Grant eligibility and lower government subsidies to outside lenders. The House passed a similar proposal—the College Reduction Act of 2007—in June, making a compromise on both versions likely. The overarching theme of the bill was an increase in government aid to students and, at the same time, a decrease in aid provided to student lenders.

Lowered subsidies would likely result in increased interest rates for students who take out loans from lenders outside of the government. Government loans offer students the best interest rates, but such loans also have smaller borrowing limits. Many students end up looking to lenders subsidized by the government for additional aid. While interest rates on subsidized loans are not as favorable as those offered by the government, they are still more favorable than those offered by private, unsubsidized lenders.

According to MarketWatch, the new bill could save the government up to $15.4 billion by 2012. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, was enthusiastic about the approval stating, “The passage of the Higher Education Access Act tonight was a victory not only for students and their families, but for the American people. With this new congress we made education a national priority again, and we’ve given the next generation the tools they need to compete in the global economy. “

Fortunately for student borrowers, the bill did address worries about lender rate increases. Cuts on outside lender subsidies were also accompanied by increased caps on government loans as well as by increased laxity on government loan eligibility requirements. These changes are likely to benefit students who don’t borrow much. For those that do, effects will depend on just how much more the government is willing to lend and on how much outside lenders will choose to charge after cuts.

Students still have a lot to cheer about. The biggest perk of the Higher Education Access Act is its proposal to increase government grant offers. Free money is the best kind. Like scholarships, grants provide students with aid that need not be repaid. If the bill is enacted, the government would increase the amounts of Pell Grants a student may receive to a maximum $5,100. It would also alter the formula used to determine grant eligibility in a way that would lessen restrictions on financial circumstances required for grant reception.

Additional bill provisions include loan forgiveness options for borrowers who work in areas of public service for ten years, a cap on monthly loan payments required of students, and the establishment of a program that would increase competition between lenders. If the bill passes, the enactment may be expected within the next few months.

Etiquette and the Scholarship Search

Today searching for scholarships is easy for students—the internet has made it so. With scholarship databases containing millions of dollars in financial assistance at your finger tips, like Scholarships.com, you can literally earn a scholarship from a business or organization with which you have no affiliation. Getting out of the car, opening the door, and walking in to the scholarship provider’s office to pick up an application is a method of the past because of the effort and time it involves.

Scholarship providers want thousands of students to have a chance at earning their scholarship, and so many choose to list their awards in databases like Scholarships.com to make their gifts available. Most have even gone so far as to encourage students to apply online. When you are applying for a scholarship, consider the things that the scholarship provider has already done to make the process easy for you and show your appreciation accordingly. Think about it- they haven’t even determined that you will be the recipient, and yet they have stretched to extraordinary lengths to make the chance at financial assistance easy for you to take.

When requesting information about a scholarship:

• Write a letter expressing your interest in the scholarship and request an application if the application is not available online.
• Look for answers to your questions about the scholarship online before making a phone call or sending an e-mail. Take the initiative to find the information in the materials they have made available to you because usually it is actually there.
• If the scholarship is discontinued, do not write unreasonable e-mails or letters expressing your contempt for the removal of the award. Scholarships are gifts and, as such, nobody owes you one. Move on to another scholarship and apply elsewhere.
• If you place a phone call to the organization, be patient, polite, and appreciative even if you are just requesting certain information about the scholarship. Thank them for offering the award.

When submitting an application:

• Follow the guidelines for submission that the scholarship provider has given you exactly. They’re considering giving you free money, comply with their instructions and pay attention to detail.
• Include a cover letter if the application is submitted by mail, unless the scholarship provider specifically requests that you don’t. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the correct amount of postage.
• Proofread any materials that are submitted along with your application and take any essays seriously. There is nothing that puts off a scholarship provider like an apathetic student applying for free donations.

When you receive the award: Send a hand-written note or an email thanking the scholarship provider. This is very important. Too often, as soon as the cash is in hand, students forget to acknowledge who gave it to them - please don’t let this happen. Scholarship providers are anxious to hear from you and excited that they are helping you attend college. The silence that falls when they hear nothing from a recipient after they have cut them a check for several thousand dollars is disheartening to say the least.

One year after you receive the award: Say thank you one final time if the award is not renewable. Write your scholarship provider and tell them about what their award has helped you accomplish in the past year, even if the award was small. Such a gesture will be greatly appreciated. If your scholarship is renewable you should still express your gratitude for their continued support and give them an update about your academic progress.

Thank you in advance for using proper scholarship etiquette. By doing so, you will help ensure that scholarship providers will continue to reward deserving students in the future and help another student like yourself attend college.

Toyota Community Scholars Program - $20,000 scholarship opportunity

High schools nationwide are asked to nominate one student for the Toyota Community Scholars program. The school's nominee should have a consistent record of academic excellence, be active in school programs, and be recognized as a leader by his/her peers and instructors. In addition, the nominee must have initiated or be actively involved in a service program that addresses a school or community need.

Students who fit this profile should contact the school guidance counselor at their high school to learn more about the nomination process.

Contact
Toyota Community Scholars Scholarship Coordinator
Educational Testing Service
P.O.Box 6730
Princeton, NJ 08541

Phone
609-771-7878


Application Deadline
Application materials are mailed to high schools nationwide in September. Applications are due in early December. Contact school guidance counselor for details on nomination process.

Number Of Awards
100

Maximum Amount
$20,000

Website Address
http://www.toyota.com/about/community/education/


For more information, please click on the "Community Scholars" link at:
http://www.toyota.com/about/community/education


Remember, there are millions more scholarships and grants at Scholarships.com, along with a huge resource section to help you deal with all phases of attending college including essay writing tips!

Scholarship Winners Dish on Secrets to Success

It may be difficult to convince yourself to write a scholarship essay. All of that work, and you’re not even guaranteed to win? I mean, for all you know, there are hundreds of people competing against you, and they’re all overachievers. Yes, yes, you know that it’s silly to work for months for this money and not give a scholarship opportunity a few hours. Still, it’s just that there are no guarantees. If only you knew what the winners were doing, things would be different. Well, we’re here to help with that one. We have gone through winners’ testimonials to find out the secrets of their success. Here is what we found.

Be Persistent. Most of the winners who have contacted us have received numerous scholarships. Coincidence? Probably not. To win numerous scholarships, you have to apply regularly. Stephanie Sylvester, a college student who has received several scholarships is a great example. “Just because I’m a sophomore in college doesn’t mean I’ve quit the scholarship search here at Scholarships.com,” she said. “I’m still searching and don’t count me out.” Stephanie began her search as a junior in high school and is still going strong. You don’t need to throw your hands up if you haven’t received a scholarship by the end of your senior year. Systematically apply, and you will see results.

Apply Early. The same hints that apply to college applications apply to scholarship ones. Applying early may significantly increase your chances of winning. Once deadlines draw near, applications may be skimmed through by overworked readers. You have a greater chance at having your essay thoroughly reviewed if you get a head start. Let your seriousness and responsibility shine through by getting things done early. Readers are likely to take notice.

Carefully Read Required Qualifications. This is crucial. Your time is precious and so is that of the judges who will be reading your submission. Your ability and willingness to follow simple instructions is often one of the first things scholarship providers will look for. Using your profile, Scholarships.com will help you find scholarships that apply to you. To maximize the amount of scholarships you qualify for, make your profile as detailed as possible. Nikki from Chicago had this to say on the topic, “Scholarships.com was incredibly helpful in my search for scholarships that fit my criteria. When I knew that I wanted to study abroad, I went to Scholarships.com and found so many scholarship programs for students like me.” We can help you too. If you give us the details, we’ll show you the scholarships.

Stay Positive. Many scholarships are open to all prospective college students, regardless of GPA. Just because you are an average student doesn’t mean that you cannot write an excellent essay. That is what numerous scholarship reviewers are looking for. When you are asked to write an essay on a given topic, do your best to give solid support for your thesis. Do some research and include personal thoughts as well as applicable facts. Scholarship readers aren’t looking for the perfect person, but they are looking for someone who has put obvious effort into their essay. You may feel average, but your attitude doesn’t have to be.

There are plenty of scholarships out there, for all students. By taking the advice of those who have been awarded scholarships, you may save yourself the trouble of learning what works and what doesn’t first hand. You can get a lot more than a penny for your thoughts, but you have to share them first.

Start your scholarship search by visiting Scholarships.com today!

Tips From The People Who Will Be Reading Your Scholarship Essays

Wondering what goes on inside the heads of scholarship reviewers as they read your essay? So were we. To minimize your worries and maximize your scholarship potential, we went straight to the sources. We contacted men and women who took part in the essay review process and found the qualities of a winning essay. We asked what applicants could do to stand out and what kind of essays made readers cringe. Here is what they had to say:

• Directly Answer The Question
  Too many times, writers make interesting points, but they are not about the questions at hand. If you are asked to answer a specific question, stick to it. Listing off your merits when asked about environmental problems can be tempting, but it can hurt your chances at a scholarship. If you find a way to twist your swamp cleaning experience into the essay, you’re very slick. When it is not that easy to do, just stick with the direct answer.
• Address Your Mistakes
  As nice as it would be, we can’t change our GPA’s before sending out scholarship essays. But don’t despair because of academic problems. If you have done poorly in a class, address the reasons. Explain what went wrong and what you are doing to improve. A few mistakes don’t have to spell disaster. Learning from your errors shows character, and it breathes life into your essay.
• Show That You Are Well Rounded
  There are many good students sending in scholarship essays. If you want to stand out, you need to convince the readers that you are more than just your grades. List organizations in which you took part and hobbies to which you dedicated time. Remember to explain why these hobbies and organizations make you unique. Being part of the Frisbee club might not score you many points. For all the judges know, you could have attended one game and watched the clouds go by. Explain how you contributed, recognition you have received, and, if possible, leadership positions you have held.
• Add A Personal Touch
  Credentials are great and all, but a dash of personality can take your essay above and beyond. Adding a bit of humor or sharing an interesting but relevant experience will make your essay stand out. None of us want to ruin our chances by appearing nonchalant, but adding a little personality will help you in the final round.
• Last But Definitely Not Least, Proofread
  We all know the importance of putting our papers through a spell and grammar check. Still, grammatically incorrect essays continue to be turned in. Until that stops, this point deserves to be repeated. Otherwise excellent applications can be taken out of the running because of spelling mishaps. Even when you have put a lot of time into your essay, it may appear sloppy if it is grammatically incorrect. You have a lot to offer. Make sure your essay stands out for its excellence and not its errors.

Remember, there are millions more scholarships and grants at Scholarships.com, along with loan information and a huge resource section with great tips to help you with your scholarship applications.

And for tons more scholarship opportunities, just conduct a free scholarship search with us.

The Siemens Competition

Interested in science, math, engineering or technology? The Siemens Foundation is offering students an opportunity to compete for $100,000 scholarship!

The Siemens Competition promotes excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects in science, mathematics, engineering and technology or in combinations of these disciplines. In 1999, the Foundation hosted the first national Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. With its high academic standards, rigorous judging process and emphasis on authentic scientific research, it has quickly become the leading science and mathematics research-based competition for high school students in the United States.

Contact:
The Siemens Foundation
170 Wood Ave South
Iselin, NJ 08830

Phone:
877-822-5233

Email Address :
foundation.us@siemens.com

Application Deadline :
October 1, 2007

Maximum Amount :
See Description

Website Address :
http://www.siemens-foundation.org


Remember, there are millions more scholarships and grants at Scholarships.com, along with a huge resource section to help you deal with all phases of attending college including essay writing tips!

You could win $1,000 just for referring a friend to Scholarships.com!

As a member of Scholarships.com, you could win cash prizes just for helping us spread the word about our free college scholarship search. All you have to do is enter up to ten of your friends’ names and email addresses. If they join the site, you’ll both be eligible for the $1,000 sweepstakes. The more friends you refer, the more entries you’ll get!

For more information, visit Scholarships.com today!

Knocking on Opportunity’s Door: Scholarships for Grad Students

Paying for four years of college is a steep bill, so steep in fact, that even if attending grad school would be profoundly beneficial, most students feel as though affording it is an impossible feat. Though grad school is not the best option for all students, for many (depending on their career choice), it can be the difference between a mediocre career and one that is fabulously fitted to your abilities. If this is the case, consider the many financial assistance options available before writing grad school off altogether—you may find that it is not nearly as impossible as you thought.

Grad Scholarship Categories

Grad school scholarships are much less common than undergraduate scholarships but they are out there. If you distinguish yourself in college by getting involved on campus, participating in your community, and earning the grades that match your social contributions, getting assistance for grad school is not as hard as it seems. The competition is tough when financial assistance is at stake, but there are also fewer students vying for the prize. If grad school will help you obtain the position that you want, boost your salary, and build your qualifications, by all means, pursue a master’s degree fervently and seek out scholarship opportunities.

Essay scholarships. Most essay scholarships can be applied toward any level of post-secondary education. The great thing about an essay scholarship is that if you find it early enough you have a unique opportunity to knock the socks off your audience. Find a peer or even a past instructor and ask for feed back on the piece that you are going to submit. Then make the changes. Essay judges are most likely no different than the people who surround you every day so their opinions are priceless. The more time you invest the greater the potential reward will be.

Employer sponsorships/ professional development scholarships. Already in lodged into a profession? Find out what incentives your employer offers for employees pursuing an advanced degree. Most employers offer some form of tuition reimbursement, possibly up to one hundred percent. If your employer does not have a sponsorship program, see if they have scholarship opportunities available for employees.

Major specific scholarships. Have you decided what master’s program you are interested in? If so, look for major specific scholarship opportunities. You will have a better chance at these scholarships because of your interest in the subject and your commitment to studying it.

Research grants. Do you have a degree related research project that you are interested in working on? If so, you may qualify for a research grant either through a university or an independent sponsor that has a vested interest in the topic you are pursuing. There is a network of support available for students committed to learning through the research process because no amount of classroom time competes with the invaluable knowledge gained through hands on experience.

Sweepstakes. However difficult they are to actually win, sweepstakes scholarships are still worth entering. Why? Because the chance to earn several thousand dollars towards your degree is worth the five seconds that you invest. Your chances of winning a scholarship sweepstakes are much much higher than winning say, the lottery, and participation is one hundred percent free. Additionally, there are few restrictions on eligibility requirements which means that even grad students can participate.

There are many scholarship and grant opportunities for graduate students at Scholarships.com, along with some great tips in our resource section!

National Peace Essay Contest

Now here's a great opportunity for today's youth to voice their thoughts and beliefs on resolving conflicts and building a lasting peace among nations.

The National Peace Essay Contest

• Promotes serious discussion among high school students, teachers, and national leaders about international peace and conflict resolution today and in the future;
• Complements existing curricula and other scholastic activities;
• Strengthens students' research, writing, and reasoning skills; and
• Meets National Contents Standards.

Contact:
United States Institute of Peace

Address :
1200 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20063

Phone:
202-457-1700

Email Address:
education@usip.org

Application Deadline:
February 1, 2008

Awards:
Potentially 53 Winners in all.

• $10,000 1 National First Place Winner
• $5,000 1 National Second Place Winner
• $2,500 1 National Third Place Winner
• $1,000 1 State Winner in each state plus 1 winner for U.S. territories, 1 winner for the District of Columbia, and 1 winner for American Students abroad.

Eligibility:
Open to all high school students (grades 9 - 12) attending school in the United States regardless of citizenship. Foreign exchange and visiting students attending high school in the U.S. may enter. Only U.S. citizens if attending high school in countries other than United States.

For complete contest details (essay topic, guidelines, rules, etc.), the United States Institute of Peace web site.

Remember, there are millions more scholarships and grants at Scholarships.com, along with a huge resource section to help you deal with all phases of attending college including essay writing tips!

Scholarship Strategy: Creating a Savvy, Successful Approach

One of the best things about scholarships is that for the most part, they reward the applicants who put forth the most effort. Like teachers who can instantly spot a sloppy homework assignment, scholarship judges can identify poorly composed applications without lifting a finger. Depending upon the award and how many students participate, the process of eliminating underqualified students can be competitive at best, and downright ruthless at worst. You may already be thinking "They won’t pick me, so why waste my time?" The answer: the financial assistance that is obtainable through scholarships is worth it, even if you don’t receive an award from each and every scholarship that you apply to.

Most of the students who succeeded in earning scholarships did so for two reasons:

1. They met the criteria outlined by the scholarship sponsor.
2. They approached the application process strategically and were selective in their pursuit of scholarship opportunities. It’s that simple.

There is no magic recipe that will help you win a scholarship. What there is, however, is a time tested strategy that many students find incredibly helpful in organizing their scholarship search. The students who apply these techniques usually come out ahead in the end.

Make a list. Gather the information for all of the scholarship offers that you are qualified to apply for. The latter part of this suggestion is essential—do not spend valuable time applying for scholarships for which your GPA, major, community involvement requirement, or any other criteria does not meet the standard. There are likely hundreds of awards for which you specifically qualify, so focus your attention on those. Read through your list and eliminate all awards that you are not qualified for.

Assess each individual opportunity. This will take time, but in the end your investment will pay off. After narrowing down your list so that it only includes the scholarships that are most relevant, consider the following categories:

• Deadlines. How long do you have to complete the scholarship?
• Difficulty of preparation. Considering the deadline, do you have time to thoroughly prepare for this award?
• Award amount. How much is the award worth? If it is only worth a couple hundred bucks, consider whether or not you are willing to spend your time on it. Keep in mind that every little bit does help and that you have a greater chance at receiving slightly smaller awards as opposed to full tuition grants, simply because they are less competitive.

Prioritize your opportunities. Now that you have determined the value of the scholarships that you have selected based on when the deadline is, preparation required, and the amount of the award, create a rating system. A simple way to do this is to rate each scholarship with a ( + ) or (– ) sign next to the award. For example, an award with three plus signs is a scholarship for which you must apply. The deadline is far off, average preparation is required, and the reward it $2000. On the other hand, a scholarship with two minus signs might cause you to reconsider before taking the time to apply. It could be that amount of preparation required simply exceeds the amount of effort you are willing to exert because the scholarship award in only $100.

Begin applying. Alright, you’ve determined what scholarships you are actually interested in applying for. Chances are your list is a good bit shorter now, and much more feasible. Begin submitting to the scholarships that you have ranked highest in priority. Good luck!

Check out Scholarships.com for more scholarship strategies and search tips.

Efficient Essay Writing for the Uninitiated: Win Multiple Scholarships with one Good Essay

I have always been a proponent of students starting to prepare for college as early as possible, not only by striving to excel scholastically, but also by learning all they can about the process of applying for and acquiring financial aid. Unless you are independently wealthy, a crucial step in the process of getting into the school of your dreams is learning how to win free money. You can begin your freshman year in high school by conducting a free scholarship search at www.scholarships.com and by perusing the site for additional financial aid information. Before you go out in search of loans, you need to realize there is free money out there, but a lot of people won’t put in the necessary amount of time and effort required to get it. Doing so could give you the edge you need, provided you are willing to do the work. The trick is to give your best effort, follow directions to the letter, and be as efficient as possible. Follow the steps below, and you might not have to pay for your college education for decades after you have graduated:

• The Multiple Entry Essay
  Many scholarships require an essay. The majority of them will provide an essay subject or subjects, and most will only allow a limited number of characters or words per entry. Gather all of these scholarships in one place and compare them. Make a list of the scholarship providers to whom you might safely be able to submit the same essay without hurting your chances of winning. If you can enter a single essay multiple times, you will cut the amount of time you need to spend applying to each considerably.
• Follow the Rules
  By no means am I suggesting you should try to find a way out of doing a good job- just that you do a good job as few times as necessary so you can spend more of your time visiting colleges and doing the many other things you will need to do your senior year. If a scholarship provider feels you haven’t put forth the proper effort or ignored the rules, you may not have a shot at winning the award, no matter how good your essay. Pick the scholarship opportunity with the strictest rules and begin with that one. Next, add any criteria from the others to ensure you won’t be disqualified due to any procedural oversight. Now all that’s left to do is write an essay that will satisfy the requirements of all of them while giving you the best chance to win.
• Don’t Know How to Write Essays?
  Most of the scholarship providers to whom you will be submitting an entry have a website, and many use it to post previous winning submissions. Read these essays for inspiration. Take a cue from their grammar, sentence structure, the way they addressed the subject, etc. Get a feel for what scholarship providers generally seem to want in an essay, and then give it to them. If you have difficulty with spelling and/or grammar, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from teachers, parents, and friends. They might be able to provide you with valuable pointers.
• Make An Impression With Good Presentation
  Believe it or not, some scholarship providers actually specify the font type and size as part of their scholarship essay requirements. If you have access to a computer and printer, take the time to prepare a type-written essay following any formatting requirements or guidelines set forth by the scholarship provider. If you have the time and know-how, create address labels for the envelope. Every little detail towards a clean and professional presentation will make an impression on the person reading your essay.
• Which Scholarships Take Priority?
  The obvious answer is, “Whichever scholarship is worth the most money.” But only assuming you haven’t put things off for too long. If it is February of your senior year in high school, see which ones still have deadlines you can make – there should still be plenty. It is imperative that you respect their deadline and get your scholarship application and/or essay in on time. Put those with the closest due date at the top of your list, and don’t bother with one if you aren’t confident you truly qualify and stand a good chance of winning it. Once you have finished the ones that are a “slam dunk,” you may still have time to go back and apply to the ones in the “maybe” category. If you start early enough (think October of your senior year), you will definitely be giving yourself an advantage. You might not be able to get an application for all of them yet, but the rules and requirements of some great scholarships may be available. You can use these to get an early start on your application or to get a feel for what scholarship providers will be looking for. Start early, and time won’t be an issue. You will be able to base priority strictly on the largest amount of money being offered and on confidence in your ability to win each scholarship. Good Luck!

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit Scholarships.com

Create Success: Find Money for College at Scholarships.com

It's true, after you receive your first scholarship the sky becomes your limit. You've succeeded in gaining recognition and praise from someone other than a family member. Bonus cash aside, earning such recognition is an impressive achievement that should motivate you to continue achieving other great things throughout your life. Getting to college is just the beginning. Once you're there you begin deciding who you will become by focusing on points of interest in your life. Having a passion for your interest will always put you head and shoulders above the rest in class, in your social life, and in your career.

If you are just looking for easy money, the truth is, a scholarship may be difficult to obtain. But if you are attempting to distinguish yourself from your peers, set a standard for excellence, and ease the financial burden of college so that you can focus on your studies, you have a much better chance at succeeding. Before you begin your scholarship search remember that success is created, not found. Likewise, money is earned and, not surprisingly, typically follows success.

How to Create Success.

Research. Research the scholarship opportunities available to you. You should have a good idea about what your options are before you begin submitting. There are millions of scholarships available, but you won't qualify for all of them. Gathering information about your options should help you prioritize the offers in which you are interested.

Prepare. Research should give you an idea of the criteria for the scholarships for which you qualify. If you fall short in any areas like community service or extracurricular activities, get involved while you have the chance, and establish a background in these areas. Additionally, build your writing skills. This is critical because most merit scholarships require that you respond to an essay question or submit a writing sample. Prepare a couple of solid essays on vanilla topics like your future goals or interests. These are good practice, and you might even be able to use them for some of the scholarships for which you are applying.

Organize. Many scholarships will require you to submit the following articles:

• Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers
• A small photo
• Cover letter
• History of community service
• School transcripts
• An essay

Have these items compiled ahead of time so that when you find a scholarship you are interested in you are prepared to apply as soon as possible.

Submit. Submit your portfolios to the scholarship providers in whose awards you are interested. If you choose to send your application by mail, be sure that the address is correct. Follow the guidelines, and be certain that you meet all of the criteria for a specific scholarship so that you don't waste your time.

To start your scholarship search or to find more financial aid information, visit Scholarships.com

Scholarships.com - Intel Science Talent Search

School's out and it's time to enjoy the summer, right? After all, you're a high school senior now. Unfortunately, it also means you need to think a little more about college. Don't stress because Scholarships.com is here to tell you about a $100,000 scholarship opportunity!

The Intel Science Talent Search is an annual competition where high school seniors compete for the top prize, a $100,000 scholarship. The aim of this competition is to encourage talented high school seniors to pursue careers in science, math, engineering and medicine. Even if you don't win first place, you can still place among the top thirty and go home with $5,000!

The competition involves preparing a research report and complete a research project in one of the following categories:

• Behavioral and Social Sciences
  
• Biochemistry
  
• Bioinformatics & Genomics
  
• Botany
  
• Chemistry
  
• Computer Science
  
• Earth and Planetary Science
  
• Engineering
  
• Environmental Science
  
• Mathematics
  
• Medicine and Health
  
• Microbiology
  
• Materials Science
  
• Physics
  
• Space Science
  
• Zoology

So if you're considering studying science, math, engineering or medicine in college, don't let this opportunity slide by.

Application Deadline: November 14, 2007

Be sure to follow the rules and complete forms as required. Failure to do so may disqualify you. Details about this scholarship and others can be found on Scholarships.com.

Scholarships.com - Financial Aid Myth Busting

"Only students with a high Grade Point Average get financial aid."

This is a common misconception. While it certainly can't hurt to earn high marks in school, falling short of an A+ average does not mean you will wind up washing dishes 60 hours a week to pay your way through college. In fact, most federal student aid programs don't even consider a student's grades, provided he or she maintains a reasonable grade in their program of study. This doesn't imply that you should start shooting for D's—by all means aim for the stars, but don't feel as though you have to be a child prodigy to receive financial assistance for college.

"Applying for financial aid is time consuming."

Not so, in fact, it is probably one of the easiest ways that you are likely to ever encounter to receive free funding. If you are in need of financial aid, it is worth it. The process seems tedious; however, it doesn't actually require much of you. Let's be pragmatic for a moment—how long would it take you to save $20 thousand dollars on your own? Certainly far longer than the few months it takes to obtain thousands of dollars in financial aid.

"There isn't much aid out there, anyway."

On the contrary, student financial aid in 2005-2006 rose to over $130 billion. Though not everybody will receive a federal grant, the kind of aid you never have to repay, there are plenty of low-interest loans offered by the government. Other types of aid, like scholarships, are offered by all sorts of different organizations and most colleges provide some sort of financial aid package. Contact all of the colleges you may be considering attending and ask what type of financial aid you can expect to receive based on your personal situation. This could be a deciding factor when it comes time to choose a school.

"Financial Aid is only awarded to minorities."

While there certainly are some scholarships available exclusively to minorities, the money from federal student aid programs is not disseminated in this way. Funds are awarded based on financial need, not race, ethnicity, or gender. When you fill out your FAFSA, you will notice that information about your ethnicity is not even required of you. Everyone has the opportunity to receive financial aid.

"Billions in scholarship money goes unused each year."

This all too common misconception is perpetuated largely by certain fee-based professional scholarship search services. This is their way of trying to entice students into giving them money for something that can be found elsewhere for free. You’re not likely read this fallacy on any free website or publication. While there is plenty of financial aid out there, these folks would like you to believe there is a surplus of scholarship funds and only they have the information that can help you get it. Don’t forget to visit www.scholarships.com to conduct a free college scholarship search and to get more free financial aid information.

"Financial aid is only for exceptionally needy students."

Unless you fill out your FAFSA form, you will never know if and how much aid you actually qualify for. Thousands of students are awarded aid every year; it is possible to receive financial aid if you are in need but not necessarily needy. Financial aid comes in many forms, and the truth is that even a small award helps. Don't sell your self short of receiving aid from the government, submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.

"It's only financial aid if it's free."

The majority of financial aid the government divvies out is in the form of both grants and loans. Confused about the difference between a grant and a loan? When you think grant, think gift. When you think loan, think lent sum. Both grant and loans help you pay for college, therefore, they are both considered financial aid.

For more information on financial aid and scholarships, visit Scholarships.com

Scholarships Not Just for "A" Students Anymore

Often students think they don’t have much, if any, chance at winning scholarships if they haven’t achieved excellent grades in high school and I’m sure many scholarship providers do, in fact, prefer to invest in a student who has already proven themselves to thrive in an academic setting. Nobody is saying you don’t stand a better chance at some free college cash if you do happen to belong to three or four clubs and boast a 4.0 cumulative GPA or ace the ACT/SAT’s, but these are not the only criteria by which scholarship providers award cash these days.

Naturally, there are the odd-ball scholarships like the one for left-handed people or the one where you make a suit or dress out of Duck tape for your prom, but you probably already know of these, having read about them in almost every article written on scholarships over the last decade or so. In case you’re not familiar, though, the scholarship for lefties is only available to those planning to attend Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania. The Duck tape one is actually a really cool scholarship contest that has no GPA requirements, offers a $2,500 grand prize and looks like a lot of fun. There are so many others out there, though, and you or your child/student could very well qualify for several or possibly dozens of them. Below are several types of scholarship that don’t necessarily favor the class brain.

Can you draw? Dance? Sing? Talent is the new brains
There are quite a few scholarships available to the more creatively inclined that don’t necessarily require good grades. Some may have a minimum GPA, but often they are a very attainable 3.0 or thereabouts rather than the “4.0, top-of-your-class” variety. I have seen drawing scholarships, singing auditions that could net a scholarship for the top performers and even scholarships requesting a video as an entry.

Write your own ticket. Essay scholarships could prove rewarding
You could pull down anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more just for reading a book and writing an essay on it- some don’t even require reading the book! Most of these scholarships don’t have a GPA requirement, nor are they concerned with any of the other famous three-letter acronyms (ACT, SAT). As a matter of fact, the Resolve To Evolve Scholarship doesn’t have any GPA, SAT or ACT requirements and you could win up to $3,000 with your entry. Even if you don’t take the top prize, you could win $2,000 or be one of five $1,000 winners! Conduct a free search at Scholarships.com to see if you qualify.

Apply for a "Major" Scholarship
There are so many scholarships out there for students interested in pursuing a particular major, from Advertising to Zoology. Sure, it wouldn’t hurt to have a perfect 4.0, but you still may have a chance at thousands of dollars in free financial assistance, or maybe even a full-ride. Give it your best effort- make a case to the scholarship provider and show them why you are the best candidate.

Employers may pay more than just your salary
Often times a scholarship will be available exclusively to employees or their children or specific companies like Kraft or even those in specific types of careers or industries, such as police officers or steel workers.

Location, Location, Location
Sometimes, your zip code or high school may qualify you for a particular scholarship. There are a number of scholarships available exclusively to those living in specific counties or attending specific high schools. If there is one for your county or school, it’ll be in your search results at Scholarships.com

All of the above types of scholarships will appear in your search results when you conduct a free scholarship search online at Scholarships.com. We ask the most pertinent questions possible in a (roughly) ten-minute session so that you will see which scholarships are available to you. The more complete and accurate the information you supply, the more accurate and complete your search results. You may be pleasantly surprised to see how many scholarships you are eligible for, A student or not, and who knows? You may even end up winning a few.

Scholarships.com "Tell A Friend" Sweepstakes - Win $1,000

You could win $1,000 just for referring a friend to Scholarships.com.

As a Scholarships.com member, you've gotten free access to customized, detailed scholarship searches and other financial aid information. Tell your friends how they can do likewise and you'll both receive a chance to win $1,000! Just enter up to ten of your friends' email addresses, and for every one you refer who fills out a User Profile at Scholarships.com, you'll both be eligible to win the $1,000 prize. Your friends will thank you for telling them about Scholarships.com (and giving them a chance at the prize), and you'll be entered once for every valid referral you give.

For complete details, visit scholarships.com

Google Scholarships

Among other things, Google provides scholarships to encourage students of various backgrounds, genders and ethnicities to excel in their studies. In hopes that these programs will help dismantle barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields, Google offers the following scholarships:

• Google Anita Borg Scholarship
  The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of Anita Borg and her efforts to encourage women to pursue careers in computer science and technology. The scholarship is offered in the United States, Europe, and Australia.


• United Negro College Fund/Google Scholarship
  The UNCF/Google Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students attending UNCF member institutions and public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program offers "last dollar" scholarships based upon unmet financial need for students majoring in computer science or computer engineering.


• Google Hispanic College Fund Scholarship
  Hispanic College Fund Scholarships are given to Hispanic students who demonstrate both academic and financial need. The Google Scholarship Program offers funds to students studying computer science or computer engineering.


• Google Global Community Scholarship for the Grace Hopper Conference
  Students outside the U.S. could apply for the Google Global Community Scholarship for the Grace Hopper Conference.


• Google MESA Scholarship for the National Society of Black Engineers National Convention
  Students currently participating in a MESA Community College or Engineering Program are eligible to apply for a travel stipend to attend the NSBE Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

You can find more scholarships like these at Scholarships.com

Atlas Shrugged Essay Scholarship

Don't worry- there are still some opportunities out there for those of you who continue to wonder how you are going to pay for your post-secondary education. Here's an example of a scholarship most people will be able to enter - of whom several will be awarded $1,000 or more:
Annual Essay Contest on Ayn Rand’s Novel - Atlas ShruggedFor College Students
(Graduate and Undergraduate)

Contact
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest, Dept. W

Address
The Ayn Rand Institute
P.O. Box 57044
Irvine, CA 92619-7044

Phone
949-222-6550

Fax
949-222-6558

Email Address
essay@aynrand.org

Application Deadline
September 17, 2007

Number Of Awards
48

Maximum Amount
$10,000

FIRST PRIZE: $10,000
3 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000
5 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000
20 FINALISTS: $100
20 SEMIFINALISTS: $50

Remember, there are millions more scholarships and grants at Scholarships.com, along with loan information and a huge resource section to help you deal with all phases of attending college.

And for tons more scholarship opportunities, just conduct a free scholarship search with us.

Beware Scholarship Scams

Scholarship scams are so common, that one could easily think they’re a new form of art. Don’t allow yourself to be duped by a scholarship scam artist; you’ll end up spending valuable time and unnecessary amounts of money for absolutely nothing. These scams are fairly easy to avoid as long as you recognize the warning signs which you’ll find in large clusters whenever you happen upon a scholarship scam.

Things to look out for:

• A large processing fee and a small award. Or a processing fee of any size coupled with a small award, really. When you see this, most likely, the scholarship provider is offering the award solely for the purpose of collecting the processing fee. Chances are that most scholarships with a fee attached won’t pay up in the end, even if they have received enough income from the supposed “processing fee” to cover the cost of the award.
• Scholarship databases that charge you to register. Scholarship information is and has always been public information. Stick to the reputable, free scholarship search services like Scholarships.com. Typically, scholarship search services that charge a fee claim to have awards in their database that you can’t get access to anywhere else. This is simply not true. Scholarship providers want you to learn about their scholarship, and as such, they make it as easy as possible to find information about their award.
• An announcement that you have won an award for which you have not applied. Even in the 21st century this still isn’t possible, so don’t be fooled. You always have to apply for scholarships in order to receive them. If you receive an e-mail that says you have won a scholarship from an organization that you have never heard of, let alone applied to, ignore it. Such e-mails could easily be an internet phishing scam or some other type of ruse.
• Companies who claim to do all of the work for you. You and only you can apply for scholarships. If a company requests compensation to apply for scholarships for you—don’t buy it. Scholarship offers typically request a fair amount of personal information, writing samples, and require a considerable amount of work that no one other that you can do.

Which Scholarships Take Priority?

The obvious answer is, "Whichever scholarship is worth the most money." But only assuming you haven’t put things off for too long. If it is February of your senior year in high school, see which ones still have deadlines you can make – there should still be plenty. It is imperative that you respect their deadline and get your scholarship application and/or essay in on time. Put those with the closest due date at the top of your list, and don’t bother with one if you aren’t confident you truly qualify and stand a good chance of winning it. Once you have finished the ones that are a “slam dunk,” you may still have time to go back and apply to the ones in the “maybe” category. If you start early enough (think October of your senior year), you will definitely be giving yourself an advantage. You might not be able to get an application for all of them yet, but the rules and requirements of some great scholarships may be available. You can use these to get an early start on your application or to get a feel for what scholarship providers will be looking for. Start early, and time won’t be an issue. You will be able to base priority strictly on the largest amount of money being offered and on confidence in your ability to win each scholarship.

Scholarships.com has a new blog!

A place to publish news and insights from within, Scholarships.com has created a new presence on the web. On a daily basis we are exposed to a wealth of news and information about everything from scholarships to grants to loans and, until now, have had no place to express ourselves and hopefully inform and/or entertain a broad, internet audience with our daily jottings. Welcome and check back early and often!