Here's My Soapbox

OK,

I guess when I was a high school student, I can't say I thought much about this either...but I think high school seniors should be a little more proactive regarding their financial aid and external scholarship searching. Too many students say to me at the last minute, "Are there any other scholarships I can get?" Usually, I'll ask them, "Are there any scholarships you've applied for?" And typically they answer me with a "No." So, for all you guys and gals out there, juniors or seniors, or even freshman and sophomores, here are some ideas to get you started on the External/Outside Scholarship Search:

1. Set up a 15 - 20 minute conversation with your guidance counselor to chat about scholarships, grants, and loans available from your school or community.

2. Get on the Internet! Google "scholarships and teaching" or "scholarships and grants for college" or "private college scholarships." Also, look into some of these sites:

www.cfnc.org
www.finaid.org
www.scholarship.com
www.fastweb.com
www.nextstepmagazine.com
www.sallie-mae.org
www.educaid.com
www.hispanicfund.org

3. Call your local Chamber of Commerce and find out if they know of any town, city, county, or community scholarships for college students.

4. Ask your parents if their workplaces have scholarships or if your church might have a college scholarship.

5. Call the college financial aid office and see if they know of any resources available to you.

The funds are out there and you'll be amazed at how much scholarship money is left at the end of the search that hasn't been given to someone.

Be a part of the financial aid process, help out your family, because every scholarship you receive is one book closer or one fee closer to making your college dreams a reality.

Start in your Junior year, start in the summer before your senior year, in fact, start NOW! :)

Peace,

Jeremy