Most student have chosen, want, and need to attend college in order to pursue the career they have to obtain. But there are many students who cannot afford college, and therefore have tried pursuing it in different ways. There are many different ways to get into college without paying as much. There are student loans, Scholarships, and the Oregon Promise. If you are having difficulties finding how to attend college, here are some helpful ways to help you pursue your career.

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     CBS news did an article on different ways to attain scholarships. In their article they said to give the scholarship sponsor what they want. In the article it stated, “ Research the scholarship sponsor on the web. Look for the organization's mission statement, which you'll often find in the ‘About Us’ section of its website.” You will want to make sure that you know everything about this sponsor, in order to meet the criteria perfectly, and in turn getting a better idea at what you must achieve in order to get a head start on other students also competing for these scholarships. Most sponsors look for students who are involved in their community. They are looking for long term commitment to volunteering. There are ways to help find scholarships, using scholarship search engines. A few are…

 

• Fastweb

• Kaarme.com

• Scholarships.com

• College Board

• COLLEGEData

 

     When looking for scholarships, there are some that only provide 1,000$. Now, you may think it’s not worth it. But usually only 15-20 students apply for smaller scholarships. That gives you a higher chance and even though its a smaller scholarship, that’s still 1,000$ you don’t have to pay to college. There are also scholarship essays, In which there is a contest, these also better your chance for scholarships. The more work you put in, the better chance you have at attaining many scholarships, and in the long run, saving yourself money. In an essay, you don’t want it to be boring. Provide lots of details about yourself and accomplishments you have achieved. Sponsors also want to know struggles you’ve had, and how you have overcome them. You can also find scholarships by talking to guidance counselors and going to libraries,and checking bulletin boards outside financial aid offices. CBS News wrote, “ Local scholarships are going to be easier to win than regional and national ones.”

 

     There are also Merit-Scholarships. These scholarships are attained by meeting a certain criteria and standards created by the sponsor. These standards can be awarded through academic achievement, sports, activities, involvement in performing arts such as choir, band, or theatre, or another special talent, trait or interest. Scholarships can either pay for the entirety of your college tuition or just a few hundred dollars. Either way, that’s more money that you don’t have to pay. It is easiest to start applying for scholarships during the Summers of your Junior and Senior years. The Website for Federal Student Aid wrote, “A scholarship will affect your other student aid because all your student aid added together can’t be more than your cost of attendance at your college or career school. So, you’ll need to let your school know if you’ve been awarded a scholarship so that the financial aid office can subtract that amount from your cost of attendance.”

 

     A great way to ensure that you get a scholarship early on is to do thing in high school. A great way is to do these three things. A team sport so people can know that you work well in a group and with other people. An individual sport or activity. This shows that you can think on your feet, and an activity that shows some kind of daring. Like rock climbing, finding yourself in front of a crowd (Choir, Band, Theatre, etc.)

 

     Whether you do all of these helpful tips or just a couple, it’ll make it easier to attain your dream of going to college. And not make such a big hole in your wallet.