SCHOLARSHIPS

There are literally thousands of scholarships offered to college students by private and governmental agencies throughout the country.

Many scholarships are given by large business enterprises, small businesses, local businesses, private citizens, schools, churches and banks.

Check with your states' Department of Education for a list of scholarships being offered in your state.

There are also grants, loans, and other financial aid packages available.

As a student, you have to do your homework and start your scholarship search as early as your sophomore and junior years of high school.

Even though you may not be able to apply for certain scholarships until your junior or senior year of high school, it is to your advantage to get a head start on knowing where to apply and what the criteria is for applying.

Some agencies or individual entities may require you to fill out an application or other forms and submit your transcripts while others may simply ask for an essay on a particular subject along with your high school and or college transcripts.

Start with local scholarships first, even though they may be of a smaller dollar amount, because most local scholarships go to local students.

It is sometimes harder to get the larger scholarships because those are the ones that most students apply for and only one or two may be offered per semester or school year.

But like everyone else, you are in the running until the scholarship is awarded and you may be the lucky recipient.

There are many ways to get information on what scholarships are available. The internet is a great source, along with your local library, and book stores.

Talk with church members, friends, relatives and local businesses about scholarships being offered in your neighborhood, county or state.

This information was compiled by the staff of Moneymatters101.com.

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