What are scholarships and where can I find information?

Scholarships are another source of aid that can be used to pay for college. Some scholarships will pay for your books while others may pay for tuition. The great thing about scholarships is that you do not have to pay them back.

Scholarships come from a variety of sources: colleges, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, religious groups, or professional organizations.

These sources offer scholarships for a variety of reasons. Some are offered to students that have financial need. Some scholarships have academic requirements like a certain GPA or enrollment in a particular major. There are athletic, music, and art scholarships. There are scholarships for minorities and first generation students, and some for students with certain community affiliations or religious affiliations.

FAFSA4caster Tip:
You have to do research to find scholarships. Try the resources listed below:

• Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov and use our free Scholarship Search. You can also click on MyFSA to customize your search.
• If you're in high school, you can talk to your high school counselor. Many counselors have lists of scholarships and other aid.
• Check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend; they can tell you about scholarships the college has as well as other sources of aid.
• Check with foundations and civic groups.
• Check with local, community, religious, and ethnicity-based organizations or organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest, such as the American Medical Association or American Bar Association.
• Check with your employer and/or your parents' employers.
• Check with your union and/or your parents' unions.
• Check with other federal government agencies (including the military, if appropriate)
• Check with state education agencies. For a list visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.
• Visit your local library's reference section (look under "student aid" or "financial aid").
• Look for programs such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, or GEAR UP. Ask your high school counselor whether you are eligible to participate in one of these programs.
• Lastly, you can use the Internet to find other free scholarship search services.

FAFSA4caster Tip:
Because scholarships are offered for different reasons and by many sources, it is important that you understand that each scholarship has its own requirements and deadlines. You should begin searching for scholarships as soon as possible. You should also know that you should not have to pay to apply for a scholarship.

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