External scholarships
Search
Once you have completed your personal inventory list you are ready to search for potential scholarship opportunities. Use the list to identify organizations that support your needs, industries, affiliations, interests, or hobbies. Reach out to organizations you’re affiliated with and fill out profiles on different scholarship search websites to generate a list of possibilities.
Scholarships are available from many different sources. Explore as many as you can. Here’s a list of some places to consider looking.
- Check out the Quicklist where you can browse external scholarship opportunities.
- Check with your employer. Some companies offer scholarship to their employees. Scholarships are frequently offered through the non-profit entity of the organization, usually referred to a foundation or auxiliary.
- Join a professional association as a student member; they often offer scholarships to their members.
- Search websites like Scholarships.com and Fastweb.
- Look within your community. Local scholarships are often available through community foundations, local non-profit organizations, and local business owners. Visit their websites and social media sites. Check out local libraries, community centers, and local newspapers.
- Ask people around you. Family members, friends, social networking, in-person networking can lead to a scholarship opportunity. If you let people know that you are looking for a scholarship, they can pass information along if they hear about one.
- Use your hobby to find a scholarship. Writers can apply for essay contests. Videographers can enter video contests. Other hobbies that can lead to scholarships may include amateur radio licenses, equestrian riding, knitting, community sports, arts, skateboarding, and more.
To help you keep a record of the scholarships, use the tracking spreadsheet.
Getting started on scholarships
With the right information, you can simplify the process of applying for scholarships. Download our Scholarships Information Kit to learn the basics of the application process.