Getting a college scholarship can mean the difference between ten years of debt and entering the workforce free and clear of any student loan repayment obligations. With tuition costs and college expenses on the rise, scholarships have become an even more important source of funding for college students.
There are several types and sources of college scholarships. Of course, don't forget about other important ways to pay for college, like college grants. Many scholarships are awarded by individual colleges and universities, but there are plenty of additional scholarship sources as well. Some of the more common sources of scholarships include:
Colleges and universities offer many scholarships directly to students. In this category, you'll find athletic scholarships, academic scholarships and other merit-based programs. If you really investigate, you may also find departmental- or subject-specific scholarships. For example, a college may have a special scholarship program only for students interested in studying anthropology. These departmental scholarships may be found in subject areas where there is a shortage of professional talent. A time-saving way to find available scholarships is by using WiseChoice – our fast and easy Scholarship Finder tool can help find scholarships that you're eligible for. Another option is to check with the college financial aid office of a college or university.
Non-profit organizations and religious groups (like a church) are another source of scholarships. The drawback here is that availability is often limited to members of the group or organization. Still, if you or a parent is part of a group or organization, it may be wise to inquire about tuition funding programs.
Corporations can be a fantastic source of scholarships. It is in the interest of many corporations to offer scholarships, especially in competitive industries like the medical- and science-related fields. Scholarships can attract high-caliber students into a field of study, which has a long-term benefit to the company or industry. Business and professional organizations, such as the American Medical Association, are a great place to find business scholarships. Most large businesses are also affiliated with the local or state Chamber of Commerce or other business networking organizations.
Most of the time, it is not availability of scholarships that makes them hard to secure. Rather, it is locating the scholarships in the first place. WiseChoice makes it easy for you to find scholarships by providing a scholarship database with over $14 billion in scholarships catalogued as well as a comprehensive tool to help identify scholarships that you're eligible for.
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