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Unlocking Scholarship Opportunities for Funding College

Securing scholarship opportunities for funding college can significantly alleviate the financial burden of higher education. Did you know that between 2001 and 2021 data shows that college tuition increased at a rate of 5% a year at public four-year colleges and 3.8% a year at private four-year colleges? I read that there are over 1.7 million scholarships and fellowships that are awarded annually. There are over a million available to undergraduate and graduate students each year. In this article, we'll explore strategies for finding scholarships and starting the search process early to maximize opportunities. Recently I was working with a few financial coaches recording a training video. One of these videos was a scenario of helping a student decide on a college plan. One of the interesting pieces of advice that came out of this discussion was helping students early on in their schooling to learn how to search for scholarships and encouraging them to start practicing writing for scholarships earlier than they can apply. That piece of advice helped to inspire me to write about this concept when thinking about Scholarships. Let's explore those ideas a little bit more. 

Illustration of a male student in a graduation cap, with a computer screen, books, and money


Starting Early to Find Scholarship Opportunities for Funding College


Encourage students to begin their scholarship search as early as 8th or 9th grade. This early start allows ample time to explore various scholarship opportunities and get comfortable with the process. There are numerous scholarships available, and early research helps students learn keywords for refined search results and discover niche scholarships. However, simply starting early isn't enough; students need to track their findings. Help them create an organizational system to keep track of potential scholarships. This could be as simple as a Word document, a more complex spreadsheet, or even bookmarks in their web browser.



Practice Makes Perfect


Encourage students to practice writing scholarship essays well before they can apply. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book "Outliers," he discusses the concept of 10,000 hours of practice. Applying this concept, if students start honing their skills early, they will become excellent scholarship essay writers by the time they are eligible to apply. Early drafts can serve as practice, and students should seek feedback from guidance counselors, scholarship reviewers, or online services that provide essay reviews. Check with your local library to see if they have access to a service that will review essays and applications. I just learned my local LIbrary System SnoIsle library has access to BrainFuse! This feedback will help improve their writing skills and familiarize them with the application process, making them more competitive candidates in the future.

Female teacher working with a Female student.

Diverse Scholarship Sources

When starting the scholarship search process, consider diverse sources and think outside the box. Here are some key ideas:

  • Family History: Scholarships based on immigration status, military service, family professions, or alumni connections.

  • Family Engagement: Opportunities through scouting, sports, religious organizations, and hobbies.

  • Local Opportunities: Scholarships offered by credit unions, utility departments, PTAs, nonprofits, and civic groups like Rotary Clubs.

  • Personal Characteristics: Scholarships based on ethnicity, fields of interest, or specific academic pursuits.

  • College Resources: Reach out to colleges for scholarships they offer or are aware of.


Examples of Keyword Searches

An image of a Worksheet to organize scholarship searches

Helpful Resources



By thinking about these financial considerations early and actively seeking scholarship opportunities, students can make informed decisions about their higher education journey and alleviate the financial burden associated with pursuing a college degree. If you would like a copy of my Scholarship Tracker that I created for you on Google Sheets, just click here which will take you to the form to complete, and I will send you your own copy to utilize. Happy searching!


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