Absolutely
Scholarships - A scholarship
search engine with over 200,000 scholarships in their database. This
site is in conjunction with eStudentLoans.com, so you can use the
same userid and password. If you don't have one, you can register for
one.
American
Educational Guidance Center -
This site offers free scholarship and financial aid searches along
with e-mail addresses etc. of colleges across the country.
Embark - Use this service to search for
scholarships. Users must sign up for a free user id.
FastAid - Is a free scholarship search service to
students and families.
FastWeb: Free Scholarship and College Searches, and
Financial Aid Tools - Provides free scholarship searches and will
keep updating you on new scholarships from the profile you create.
Financial Aid
Information (FinAid.com) -
Provides information on loans and similar support for college.
Free Application For
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -
The federal government has provided a way to complete and submit the
Free Application For federal Student Aid (FAFSA) over the internet.
FreSch! - Get a free scholarship list from searching
the database.
GoCollege
Scholarship Search - Get a
free scholarship search and if you are interested in student loans,
you can have a lender contact you about loan programs. You are under
no obligation to take a loan from any lender that contacts you from
the site.
GrantsNet
Search - Search funding
opportunities in the biological and medical sciences. Requires free
registration.
Scholarship
and Grant Guide:
The
Scholarship Guide, - A free
scholarship search for students in the Pacific Northwest.
Scholarship
News - Search for
scholarships according to major, religious/ethnic affiliations,
athletic, and fraternity/sorority. Can also sign up for a free
newsletter to receive updates.
Scholarstuff.com - This website not only links you to the
websites and admissions e-mail addresses of hundreds of colleges and
universities, but also links you to helpful financial aid, test
preparation, travel, and other college related services.
Student Financial Aid
Services-SFAS - SFAS will
help you complete your FASFA application. This site also provides
extensive information on financing college.
US
News Online - A free
scholarship search by US News and World Report. You can search by
category, by name of scholarships or do a personalized search.
Wired
Scholar - A free scholarship
database sponsored by Sallie Mae.
Canadian Scholarship
Aid
GraduateAid.com - GraduateAid.com is one of Canada's largest
free scholarship databases containing over 9,000 scholarships, worth
over $57 million dollars.
Student
Awards - Free Scholarship
Search for Canadian Students Database of scholarships, grants,
bursaries, and fellowships for Canadian students. Site is bilingual
(French and English) for your convienence.
University
of Guelph - Various
scholarship, bursary, and fellowship opportunities for Canadian
graduate students. Some are specifically for students at this
University, others are available for graduate students at any
Canadian institution.
TOP TEN SCHOLARSHIP
TIPS
Tip 1: Give concrete
examples.
- If your answer to an essay
question is abstract, support it with a concrete example that
illustrates your point. The scholarship sponsor wants to see
evidence that you satisfy their criteria, not just unsupported
statements.
Tip 2: Apply only if you are
eligible.
- Read all the scholarship
requirements and directions carefully, and make sure that you are
eligible before you send in your application. Your application
will not be considered if you aren't qualified to
apply.
Tip 3: Identify the sponsor's
goals.
- Try to understand the
sponsor's motivation in offering the award. Do they want to
promote interest in their field? Do they want to identify
promising future researchers and business leaders? If you can
identify their goals, you can direct your application toward
satisfying those goals, increasing yourchances of winning the
award.
Tip 4: Complete the application in
full and follow directions.
- Many students fail to follow
directions. You can give yourself a competitive advantage by
reading the directions carefully.
- Provide everything that is
required. But don't supply things that aren't requested. You won't
impress and you might be disqualified.
- Be sure to complete the entire
application. If a question doesn't apply, note that on the
application. Don't just leave it blank.
Tip 5: Neatness counts.
- Make several photocopies of
all the forms you receive. Use the copies as working drafts as you
develop your application packet.
- It's always best to type the
application. If you must print, do so neatly and legibly.
- Proofread the entire
application carefully. Nothing is less impressive than an
application with misspelled words or grammar errors. Ask a friend,
teacher or parent to proofread it as well.
Tip 6: Write an accomplishments
resume.
- Compile a list of all your
accomplishments. This will help you identify your strengths and
prepare a better application.
- Give a copy of the resume to
the people who are writing letters of recommendation for you. They
will be able to work some of the tidbits into their letters,
making it seem like they know you better.
Tip 7: Watch all deadlines.
- Impose a deadline for yourself
that is at least two weeks before the stated deadline. Use this
'buffer time' to proofread your application before you send it
off.
- YOU are responsible for making
sure all parts of the application arrive on time. This includes
supporting materials, such as letters of recommendation and
transcripts. So make sure everyone who is contributing to your
application has ample lead-time.
- If worse comes to worst, call
the scholarship provider in advance and ask if it's possible to
receive an extension. Don't just send the materials in late; many
committees will refuse late applications. But don't rely on
extensions - very few scholarship providers allow them at
all.
Tip 8: Take steps to make sure
your application gets where it needs to go.
- Before sending the
application, make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file.
If your application goes astray, you can always reproduce it
quickly.
- Make sure your name (and
social security number, if applicable) appears on all pages of the
application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they
are clearly identified.
Tip 9: Ask for help if you need
it.
- If you have problems with the
application, do not hesitate to call the sponsor. They will
usually be glad to give you help. But don't expect them to do the
work for you. Completing the application is your job.
Tip 10: Remember - your
scholarship application represents YOU!
- Your ability to submit a neat,
timely, complete application reflects on you. It's the face you
present to the sponsoring organization. Take pride in yourself by
submitting the best application you can.
Source: FinAid "Top Ten
Scholarship Tips".