From Karen Schweitzer,
Your Guide to Business School.
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If you need help paying for school, you should begin searching for a scholarship immediately. Scholarships are a great way to pay for college, because unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be paid back.

Types of College Scholarships

There are many different types of college scholarships that are available. Some scholarships are based upon merit, while others are based upon financial need. There are also scholarship programs that give special consideration to minority students.

When to Begin Searching for College Scholarships

You should begin searching for scholarships as soon as possible. Many college scholarship opportunities have application requirements and deadlines that must be met. If you begin searching too late, you may miss out on valuable opportunities. It is never too early to begin searching for college scholarships.

Finding College Scholarships

Begin your scholarship search locally. Your community may provide the best (and least advertised) opportunity. Local clubs, businesses, organizations, and churches are all potential sources.

There are also scholarship resources online. Click on any of these links to begin your search:

www.Scholarships.com
Sallie Mae
www.fastweb.com
Minority Scholarships

College Scholarship Requirements

The requirements are different for every scholarship program. Before applying, make sure that you fully understand all of the application procedures and the eligibility criteria. Some scholarship applications require an essay or another demonstration of your potential. Others require a minimum GPA or standardized test score.

College Scholarship Tips

Scholarships can be your key to a college education. Here are a few tips that will help you succeed.

• Apply early
• Do not falsify your application
• Follow application procedures
• Make sure you qualify before applying
• Increase your chances by applying for scholarships that are not heavily advertised

College Scholarship Scams

These days, scams are everywhere. It is estimated that families lose millions of dollars each year due to scholarship fraud. To protect your finances, make sure that you are very careful when searching for college scholarships. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...read more