Category Archives: Scholarship Friday

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: Savor Summer College Scholarship

“Apply to scholarships with the least number of applicants to increase your odds of winning.”

savor summer college scholarship

This advice applies not only to local scholarships, but also non-nationally known scholarships as well. Today’s scholarship is awarded by How to Win College Scholarships’ founder Monica Matthews.

The Savor Summer College Scholarship (sponsored by how2winscholarships.com) is a $500 scholarship award.

To be eligible, students must meet the following guidelines:

  • Have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above
  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Be a high school sophomore, junior, or senior (2015/2016 school year)
  • Submit one letter of recommendation from a current high school administrator, teacher, employer, or community leader
  • Submit a copy of most current high school transcripts
  • Submit an essay of 500 words or less answering the question, “How are you planning on using your summer vacation?”

This is a non-renewable, one-time award of $500 to be used exclusively to offset costs and fees related directly to the student’s first year of higher post-secondary education at an accredited institution of the student’s choosing within the United States.  The winner will be chosen on or before July 14, 2016.

ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION WILL BE CONSIDERED.  Questions about the Savor Summer College Scholarship may be directed to how2winscholarships@gmail.com.

Deadline:  Applications must be postmarked by July 1, 2016.  No fax or email applications will be accepted.

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: Fishing Scholarships

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fishing scholarships

The #1 searched item on my website is this: Snag a Fishing Scholarship. Who knew there were so many students and parents looking for fishing scholarships? But how do you win these scholarships in high school? First, you have to compete in competitions that award scholarships. If your high school doesn’t have a fishing club, start one. Then get registered for all the fishing competitions in your area. Check out this Washington High School State Championship, and search for others within your state.

”College-age anglers are getting the opportunity to keep casting, and it’s more than just a hobby. Bethel University, a college in McKenzie, Tenn., with an enrollment of 5,825, first laid the roots for its fishing program in 2009. They weren’t the first school to offer bass fishing, but they were the first to offer scholarships for anglers.”

As I’ve said previously, the best scholarships are often offered by the colleges themselves. But where do you find these colleges? Here are a few places you can look:

If you like bass fishing, these colleges will be right up your “lake, river, stream”. Here is a list of colleges, by state, that have affiliated with the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series. Each state is listed along with its College Series conference (Central, Eastern, Midwest, Northern, Southern or Western) Check to see if your college of choice is listed.

https://www.bassmaster.com/news/find-bass-fishing-college

Fishing League Worldwide surveyed National Guard FLW College Fishing anglers in the country on their clubs, their schools, their fishing lifestyles and more, and we scored the results based on the factors we thought most important for a college angler: proximity to bass fisheries, tournament opportunities, club activities, etc. We also interviewed club officers and tournament winners. We then tossed all the information together, combined our “editors’ rankings” – completely ignoring the Bowl Championship Series computer scores – and ended up with the results that follow: the top 25 bass fishing colleges.

http://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2010-02-01-top-25-bass-fishing-colleges

When searching for specific scholarships like fishing, you have to be a detective. Do a Google search for “fishing scholarships”, “fishing scholarship competitions” and “colleges with fishing scholarships”. Follow all the links and keep researching. This will take some time, but the reward will be worth it!

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Scholarship Friday, scholarships

The 5 Best Places to Search for Scholarships

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search for scholarships

I can’t stress enough the importance of adding a scholarship search strategy to your college prep. Even if you’re prepared to foot the entire bill, your student should have some “skin in the game”. Searching for scholarships is one way to make that happen.

Where does your student begin? Here are five great places to search for scholarships, but don’t stop there. Think outside the box and keep your eyes peeled for scholarships in the most unexpected places–like posters at fast food restaurants, info cards at retail cash registers, etc.

1. Search Locally

Always begin with local scholarship searches. Watch the news. Look on local high school websites. Get a list of organizations that provide scholarships at the library or from your school counselor. Get a list of local companies and inquire about scholarship opportunities.

2. Take advantage of social media

Since your teen is no social media 99% of the time, it’s one of the easiest places to search for scholarships. Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter provide students with a wealth of scholarship opportunity. Don’t forget about college prep blogs like this one–and Monica Matthews’ How to Win Scholarships and Jessica Velasco’s monthly scholarship list.

3. Use the best scholarship search engines

Scholarship search engines abound, as do reviews on these engines. I recommend several, but find the one you like the best and stick to that one. If you don’t, you’ll become overwhelmed with emails and trying to find the ones that best fit your student.

4. Ask friends and family

Never discount the help of friends and family, especially those with students who have already graduated and won scholarships. Ask your companies if they provide scholarships for family members. Ask friends who are members of local organizations like Kiwanis and Elks if there are scholarships available.

5. Focus on specific interests

Look for scholarships that are the best fit for your student. Is he interested in making videos and film? Is she a budding scientist? Is he a tech whiz? Are they fans of Star Trek or The Walking Dead? These are just a few of the areas that students can use when doing a scholarship search.

Use these five techniques and your student will be on their way toward winning free money for college!

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Short Video Scholarships with April Deadlines

 

short video scholarships

 

Just about every teen these days makes videos using their smartphone or other device. Why not put that everyday activity to good use and apply to these short video scholarships?

These short video scholarships with April deadlines are just the ticket for future filmmakers and YouTube stars.

What type of videos does the student have to submit? There are varying topics like disarmament, distracted driving, and public service announcements. One of the video scholarships ask your student to make a video about something that inspires them.

There truly are scholarships for every interest and you don’t have to have a stellar GPA to apply for these. The awards range from $5000 to $500. That’s a decent amount of pocket change for creating a short video!

Instead of spending the weekend texting friends, encourage your student to involve them in his video scholarships creations. It could be tons of fun and in the end, could add some serious money to your student’s college fund.

Read more for all the details of these scholarships with April deadlines

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Scholarships with April Deadlines

scholarships with april deadlines

April is approaching and for many seniors, it’s prime scholarship season. Today I’m providing several lists of scholarships with April deadlines. If your student wonders where to begin in their scholarship search, start with these lists:

93 Scholarships with April Deadlines

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/grantsandscholarships/tp/college-scholarships-april.htm

112 Scholarships with April Deadlines

Scholarships with April 2016 deadlines

2016 Scholarships

http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/the-2016-scholarships

These three lists should be a great jumping off point for your student to start searching over spring break.

 

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

10 $1000 Easy Money Scholarships

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easy money scholarships

It’s Scholarship Friday again and this week’s scholarships are easy money. Enter, answer a simple question, or register to be eligible to win. This is only a sampling of what’s out there. Do a Google search for “$1000 scholarships” for many, many more. Some of them are monthly scholarships–enter every month until you win. And parents can also enter some of them too!

Following are 10 $1000 easy money scholarships:

FastWeb Scholarship

The $1000 Scholarship is available to students enrolled, or due to be enrolled, in full time university education for the semester they are applying to receive the scholarship fund.

Deadline: July 14, 2016

Scholarship Detective

To celebrate their scholarship search engine launch they are awarding two $1,000 college scholarships. To enter just complete this application including a 140 character or less statement on how you plan to use the scholarship money.

Deadline: May 31, 2016

Cappex Scholarship

To help you pay for college, Cappex provides an easy scholarship every month. Because a GPA isn’t everything, there is no GPA requirement and no essay to write! All you have to do is create a Cappex profile and tell us what you do in your free time.

Deadline: The last day of every month

MoolahSPOT Scholarship

The $1,000 MoolahSPOT Scholarship is sponsored by MoolahSPOT.com and helps students of any age pay for higher education. The scholarship is a competition based on a short essay. Family income, grades and test scores are not used in selecting a winner. Any student at least 16 years or older who plans to attend, or is currently attending, college or graduate school. Students may be of any nationality and reside in any country.

Deadline: April 30, 2016

Noodle Scholarship

Simply register on Noodle and tell us what it’s like to be a student at your high school. Are you the parent of a high school student? You can enter, too. Click ‘start’ and you may be the next winner of $1000! Student must be 13 or older to apply.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Sallie Mae $1000 Plan for College Sweepstakes

Sallie Mae’s $1,000 Plan for College Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the United States who are students, parents, guidance counselors, or financial aid officers at the time of entry. Students must register on the site to be eligible for the drawing.

Deadline: Monthly drawing

Chegg Monthly Scholarship

All U.S. high school students are eligible. Take two minutes to respond to a question and you could be this month’s $1,000 scholarship winner!

Deadline: Monthly

SuperCollege.com Scholarship

It’s open to all students — high school, college, grad or adult — who are currently in college or plan to start. Complete the online application form. All winners will be selected based on completeness of application and random selection.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Course Hero Scholarship

Applicants must create a free Course Hero account and complete the application form and answer a question with a short response.

Deadline: Last day of every month

National Countdown to College Scholarship

This scholarship is for college-bound teens in grades 9th-12th. The scholarship does not require specific test scores, GPA, or class ranking. Parents can also register but will need to designate a student to receive the award. In order to be awarded the scholarship, you must be a current C2C eNews subscriber at the time of the drawing: subscription is free.

Deadline: May 1, 2016

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Easy Community Service Scholarships

 

easy community service scholarships
photo credit DoSomething.org

DoSomething.org is all about “doing”–for your community. By signing up for one of their featured campaigns, students not only do good, but they could even win a scholarship — which means money to pay for school.

Following are some easy community service scholarships:

Treat Yo Friends-$1000

Give a friend a “voucher book” of fun activities so you can reconnect and fight loneliness and depression.

Deadline: March 28, 2016

You Teach!-$3000

Perform a rap with friends to show appreciation for your favorite teacher.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Dunk You Very Much-$3000

Dunk recyclables on friends to encourage others to go green. Use a recycling bin as a hoop.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Pregnancy Test-$2000

Send friends a sassy text baby to take care of for a day to start the conversation about teen pregnancy.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Everyday Superheroes-$3000

Make a card celebrating someone who does super things in your community.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Little Rock Nine Text-$2000

Share a day in the life of a Civil Rights student activist via DoSomething.org’s text messages.

Deadline: April 30, 2016

If you think there aren’t scholarships for everyone, these are a perfect example. And these are not only fun activities that raise awareness in the community, but they also have some good size scholarship awards to boot!

 

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Are Scholarships a Scam?

red-dices-1418972-640x480

Wait. Did I just ask that question? I did. I asked it because many parents believe they are a scam. Their students work hard, apply, and never win anything. They are frustrated, discouraged and feel the promise of scholarships is a pipe-dream. You may have been there yourself, asking the same question: are scholarships a scam?

The truth? Scholarships are not scams. Students every day win thousands of dollars in scholarship money to pay for college. But you must roll the dice with the odds in your favor.

If your student isn’t winning, they could be making these mistakes:

You apply to the wrong scholarships

Many students apply to scholarships that simply aren’t fit for them. If you’re applying for a scholarship that requires the student to exhibit community service and there is not a record to back it up, you’re not going to win. If you apply for a scholarship that asks for exemplary leadership and you don’t serve in multiple leadership capacities, you won’t win.

Before you apply, read the criteria carefully. If you feel you are a poor representation of who the scholarship committee is looking for, don’t apply. Be honest with yourself and save the time and the frustration.

My daughter applied to the Coca-Cola Scholars program, a large scholarship of $10,000. The application reads, “Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.” She had some service and very little leadership. She didn’t win, of course. Not because it was a scam, but because she applied to the wrong scholarship.

You apply to the scholarships that have thousands of applicants

The big scholarships for $100,00, $20,000,  and $10,000 have thousands of applicants. The national scholarships will have so many applicants, the competition for the scholarship rivals that of trying to gain acceptance to a competitive college.

The better bet is applying to local scholarships. There will be fewer applicants and a better chance of winning. My daughter won a substantial local scholarship because she was the best applicant in a smaller pool of applicants.

Your scholarship application is incomplete or doesn’t stand out from the other applicants

If your scholarship application arrives incomplete the scholarship judges will simply place it in the rejection pile. If your student can’t follow instructions, they won’t be placed in the viable applicant pile.

Imagine a scholarship with hundreds of applicants. If the application doesn’t stand out, isn’t properly completed, or doesn’t make an impression on the judges, your odds of winning will be slim. For tips on how to package a winning scholarship application, get How to Win College Scholarships–A Guide for Parents and Students in 10 Easy Steps.

Your scholarship essay has misspellings, grammar mistakes, or simply doesn’t answer the question

This goes without saying–proofread and proofread again. Answer the questions, check your spelling and grammar and have someone proof it before you submit it.

You haven’t focused your scholarship search

There are scholarships available for everyone in just about every category imaginable. Be specific in your scholarship search by doing a simple internet search. For instance, are you pursuing a STEM major, there are STEM scholarships available. Read this article: How to Search for STEM Scholarships. You can apply these tactics in any scholarship search.

You haven’t applied to a college where you are at the top of the applicant pool

Scholarships from the college are based on academic achievement and where you fall in the applicant pool. If you apply to a highly competitive college and have marginal test scores and a decent GPA, odds are there are applicants with better qualifications. The key is to apply to colleges that see you as a top applicant. These colleges will be happy to award scholarships to entice you to accept their offer of admission. You can research colleges on College Navigator. Look at the statistics for their applicants and see if you will be at the top or simply in the middle. Top applicants earn top scholarships.

You aren’t playing the odds

This is a simple formula. The more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of winning. The time you devote to searching and applying for scholarships will pay off if you leverage the odds. If you aren’t winning, keep applying using the right tactics. Your efforts will pay off.

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

10 Scholarships Your Student Will LOVE

 

scholarships your student will love

Sunday is Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. On that note, who doesn’t LOVE winning scholarship money to pay for college? I can’t think of a better Valentine’s Day gift to my readers than a list of scholarships your student will love.

Unigo offers some fun scholarships–yes I said fun! These are not your typical “academic” scholarships or long boring essays to write.  Hence, your student will LOVE these short essay scholarships:

Sweet and Simple Scholarship-$1500

Think back to a time when you received a special gift that seemed so unassuming yet made such a strong impact on your life.

 

SuperPower Scholarship-$2500

Have you ever wondered where you’d go if you could fly or maybe you daydream of secretly taking over the world? How would use your super powers for good, or bad, even if it was just for the day?

 

Fifth Month Scholarship-$1500

What’s so special about the number 5? May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny.

 

Do-Over Scholarship-$1500

What if you had the chance to “do-over” a moment in your life? What would it be? How would it affect you and your future?

 

Flavor of the Month Scholarship-$1500

Summer and ice cream go hand-in-hand. If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?

 

Make Me Laugh Scholarship-$1500

This is a fun scholarship that lets you cut loose and lighten things up. Show your funny bone. Tell an embarrassing, but funny, story that will make everyone laugh.

 

Shout It Out Scholarship-$1500

Have something on your mind? Shout it out. Give your thoughts a voice and earn free money for college.

 

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship-$2000

Hone in on those survival tactics and imagine what your school or college campus might be like in a zombie apocalypse. What’s your plan to avoid the zombies, where will you would hide (or maybe you don’t need to), and the top five things you would bring to stay alive.

 

Top 10 List Scholarship-$1500

Inspired by David Letterman’s top ten lists, this unique scholarship gives you the chance to show us what’s truly special and different about you. Get creative, be serious, or tug at the heart strings.

 

I Have a Dream Scholarship-$1500

Did you have a dream that was off-the-wall, or maybe it was so real that you didn’t know you were dreaming? Maybe you dream of a successful future or reaching your goals.

 

For comprehensive lists of all types of scholarships and more scholarships your student will love, check out Unigo’s Scholarship Directory.

Scholarship Friday, scholarships

10 “No Essay” Scholarships with March Deadlines

 

"no essay" scholarships

It’s Scholarship Friday again and today I’m sharing 10 “no essay” scholarships with March deadlines:

Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge
Amount: Up to $15,000
Challenge is open to legal U.S. residents who are at least 13 years of age and are enrolled in grades 9-12 who create a 60-90 second video that demonstrates the importance of safe teen driving.

Deadline: March 7, 2016

“Frame My Future” Scholarship Contest
Amount: $1,000
Applicant must intend to enroll as a full-time student at a U.S. college or university in the 2015-2016 academic year and be a legal resident; must submit an original creative image that shows “how you want to Frame Your Future!”

Deadline: March 8, 2016

Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Amount: Up to $1,000
Contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend public, private, or home schools who draw, paint, or sketch a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species.

Deadline: March 15, 2016 for most states

My Preparedness Story: Staying Healthy and Resilient Video Challenge
Amount: Up to $2,000
Challenge is open to students between the ages of 14 and 23 years of age who submit a short video to YouTube showing how you can help family, friends, and community protect their health during a disaster.

Deadline: March 28, 2016

“Stop Cell Phone Robocals” $1,000 Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who submit a 140-character statement completing the following sentence: “Cell phone robocalls need to be regulated because..”

Deadline: March 31, 2016

$1,000 Scholarship Sweepstake: High School Edition
Amount: $1,000
Scholarship is open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 13 years of age or older and currently enrolled in a high school. Parents of high school students may also apply by registering on Noodle.com.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

2016 ABA YLD Law Day Art Contest
Amount: Up to $750
Contest is open to students in grades 9-12 in the United States who submit an art piece on the topic: “Miranda: More than Words.”

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Creative Patriot Art Awards
Amount: Up to $10,000
Applicant must be in grades 9-12 and submit an original piece of art to local ladies auxiliary organization that expresses patriotism.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Superpower Scholarships
Amount: $2,500
Scholarship is open to students 13 years of age or older who are legal residents of the U.S. and are currently enrolled (or will enroll no later than the fall of 2022) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. Applicant must explain in a short written response which superhero or villain they would want to change places with for a day and why.

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Yo Teach! Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Applicant must show their love for their best professor or teacher by writing and performing a rap with friends about teaching.

Deadline: March 31, 2016