How to Find Out About Obscure Scholarships

You'd be surprised to find out how many scholarships are out there. Some dogged persistence can pay off.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Scholarship Applications
• Personal Organizers
• Computers

1. Start your search early. Deadlines vary, and some scholarships require you to gather a lot of different materials.

2. Visit the scholarships office on your campus. There should be a set of thick binders detailing all sorts of scholarships.

3. Meet with your school's scholarship advisor, who will have additional information.

4. Search your college library's collection for books about scholarships.

5. Conduct a Web search for scholarships to get the latest information. Send e-mail messages to as many sites as you can, asking for information about related scholarships.

6. Apply well before the application deadline to avoid the risk of missing it.

Tips & Warnings

• Set up a calendar with deadlines for all the scholarships you're applying for.
• Photocopy your application materials before sending them in, and keep a copy for your records.
• Notify professors, teaching assistants and employers well ahead of time for any letters of recommendation you need from them.

on 11/22/2005 Don't just apply for scholarships for which you're sure you fulfill the criteria. If you have other qualities that in some way can substitute for the requirements, you have a good chance of getting the scholarship anyway!

on 11/22/2005 Many scholarships are based on ethnicity. Don't accept vague responses such as "Asia," "Europe" or "Africa" when you ask your relatives about your origin. Also, many scholarships go to specific majors. Do a Web search under your major.