Scholarship Resources

Strategies for Scholarship Searching at Spokane Public Library

You may be able to find a scholarship or similar financial aid program that will help pay for your education. These programs are sponsored by private and public agencies, associations, clubs, and companies. Each one has unique eligibility requirements, restrictions, dollar amounts, and deadlines. Many times the awards are based on financial need, future goals, and references. When you find a potential scholarship, contact the sponsor to request an application form. Typically, you fill out an application form, write a paragraph or essay about future plans, and send in letters of recommendation. Read on for steps to take to increase your chances of finding and getting scholarship money.

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Research Financial Aid Opportunities and Scholarships

Check with your counselor or college financial aid office. Also contact your own affiliations such as clubs, churches, employers, banks, and unions about scholarships. Research scholarships in books at libraries.

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Internet Sources for Scholarship and Financial Aid Information

The Internet can be a useful source to search for scholarship information. A small sample of useful Internet sites are listed below:

CSS/Financial Aid Profile is the financial aid application service of the College Board.  Many private universities and colleges require students to submit this application in order to qualify for scholarships and financial aid at that particular school.  There is a fee for this service.  Fee waivers are available at some high school guidance offices.

College.gov is a site provided by the Department of Education.  The site provides information on why college is a good option, what to do when you decide you want to go to college, and how to pay for college.  Although created by the government, it was inspired by students and continues to evolve to fit new and relevant issues in education.

COLLEGEQUEST Scholarship Search CollegeQuest is a scholarship search sponsored by Peterson’s, a publisher of education, scholarship, and test books. This site allows searchers to search by specific criteria. This site also offers links to information about colleges and financial aid.

FAFSA on the Web This site, from the U.S. Department of Education, provides the opportunity to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online.

fastWEB is the Internet's largest free scholarship search.

FinAid General financial aid information along as well as links to numerous financial aid sites on the Internet are available on FinAid.

Financial Aid Estimation Form Calculators offer the ability to estimate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and other financial need.

Financial Aid Office Web Page This site, from FinAid, contains links to financial aid office web pages and online handbooks for post-secondary institutions including colleges, universities, community colleges, and vocational/technical schools.

Government Financial Aid Pages Links to financial aid programs sponsored by the U.S. Government including the Department of Education are provided.

Protecting Yourself from Scholarship Scams  Advice on identifying scholarship scams is available at this site.

Student's Financial Aid Checklist Steps a student should follow for obtaining financial aid are provided.

Title IV School The school codes that are required by the U.S. Department of Education for the FAFSA are available.

Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board The Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board administers state-funded student financial aid.

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Scholarship and Financial Aid Books

Spokane Public Library has a number of helpful books on Scholarships and Financial Aid. Many of these books are reference books that are available in the Career Section of the Downtown Library. Some of the books are available at local branches.  Below are a few titles.

The Scholarship Book - "The complete guide to private-sector scholarships, grants, and loans for undergraduates."  Updated yearly.

Don't Miss Out  - "The ambitious student's guide to financial aid." Updated yearly.

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Letter Writing Books

Spokane Public Library also has a number of helpful books on letter writing.  These will help with writing for letters of reference, resumes and thank-you notes.

Great Personal Letters for Busy People: 501 Ready-to-Use Letters for Every Occasion - This handy reference guide includes a college section and numerous thank-you notes.

Lifetime Encyclopedia of Letters - A treasury filled with ideas for references letters, resumes and thank-you notes.

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Get Online and Research

Each school has its own criteria for application.  Research the schools you are interested in and email the admissions department for an application and a list of scholarships offered.  Be sure to ask your college about financial aid. If you know what you want to major in, ask for department scholarships as well.

CheckOutACollege.com  This web site is run by the state of Washington and offers information about two year technical schools and community colleges within the state.

The college may have a separate application process to apply for scholarships. Also ask about work options such as work-study, co-op programs, and student employment offices.

College Navigator  This website from the U.S. Department of Education offers consumers information on colleges in an easy-to-use format.  It provides information on nearly 7,000 postsecondary institutions in the United States.  The website makes it possible to compare up to four institutions in one view, and maintain a list of favorite institutions from different searches.

Unusual Scholarships This website created by Scholarships.com covers strange and random scholarships, such as Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year to a scholarship for winning a Duck Calling Contest. 

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While You Wait to Hear from the Scholarship Sponsors, Gather Information About Yourself

Organizing your paperwork and gathering information will enable you to complete the application process efficiently. The following steps will help to keep you organized.

• Create a file to keep the information organized and readily available
• Put a resume together that summarizes your background
• Grade Point Average-GPA
• Transcripts or a list of classes you have taken in high school and/or college
• List of school activities, including sports
• List of jobs held, including job duties
• List of references
  

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Contact At Least Three People to Write Letters of Reference

Contact at least three people to write letters of reference. References could be teachers, counselors, coaches, employers, clergy, community leaders or anyone who can write about your personal strengths. Most scholarships request these letters to learn about your character, background, and potential. Tell your references you may need to use them for several scholarships. Give them a resume or sheet of information about yourself and a description of the scholarship. Your reference may be able to use this information to write a more effective letter.

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Complete Application Form

Once you receive the application form, give yourself time to fulfill all the scholarship requirements. Most scholarships require an application form, a personal essay, and letters of recommendations. Read through all the requirements to make sure you follow all directions. Allow at least 2 weeks to complete this process.

Be prepared to write an essay about your goals, career and college plans. Many scholarship programs require an essay to find out more about you. Your essay will be judged on writing skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and creatively.

PHOTOCOPY EVERYTHING YOU SEND IN. Keep a file for each scholarship you apply for. This helps keep track of what you have done. You may also be able to use the information for more than one scholarship.

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Write Thank You Notes

Thank those who assisted in the application process or wrote letters of recommendations.

Be sure to write a thank-you letter to the sponsor of the scholarship if you are awarded scholarship money.

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Other Funding Options

Scholarships are not the only funding options available for financial aid.

There are other methods of finding money to go to college including loans and work-study packages.

Make sure to fill out appropriate financial aid forms to get state and federal financial aid. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and send it in after January 1 of the year you intend to start college.

Plan for summer employment.

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