{"id":108,"date":"2018-09-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northcentral.edu\/blog\/10-tips-for-finding-the-best-college-scholarships\/"},"modified":"2021-03-16T21:57:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T21:57:00","slug":"10-tips-for-finding-the-best-college-scholarships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northcentral.edu\/blog\/10-tips-for-finding-the-best-college-scholarships\/","title":{"rendered":"10 tips for finding the best college scholarships"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for scholarships<\/a> is a necessary (and yes, time consuming) part of your college decision process. While you’re busy visiting campuses, researching degree programs, and exploring college locations, it can be daunting to think about how you will pay for your time at a college or university. But taking time to search for scholarships can have a life-long impact. Scholarships are essentially “free” money for college, and they will help you to graduate with the least amount of debt possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So where do you start? How do you know which scholarships to apply for<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Scholarships are available through a variety of channels and a high school counselor can help you find some of the best scholarships to apply for. Another great tool for finding scholarships is the search bar on your computer screen! \u00a0No matter where you look for scholarships, there will be chances for you to earn free money for college. So to help you in your debt-free education endeavors, we’ve put together a list of a few tips and resources on finding the right scholarships for you!<\/p>\n

Find scholarships that make sense for you<\/h2>\n

The initial search for college scholarships can feel overwhelming. There are an incredible amount of scholarships available to apply for, so where do you start? Some scholarships require an essay, while others ask about the types of volunteer work you participate in, extracurricular activities you enjoy, and more. A great place to start is by looking for scholarships that apply to your strengths and skills.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re an excellent writer, broadening your search to scholarships that require longer essays could be a strength for you. Perhaps you are an honor student in high school, and you\u2019d like to search for scholarships that are specifically geared toward academic excellence. Whatever skills you have, there are likely college scholarships out there for students like you.<\/p>\n

Start early<\/h2>\n

One of the best ways to ensure that you find the best college scholarships is by starting your search process as early as possible. Some scholarships are even available for sophomores and juniors in high school to start applying for so you can start earning scholarship money before you even begin your undergrad!\u00a0Beginning your search early can ensure that you have access to an abundance of scholarships.<\/p>\n

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Know where to look<\/h2>\n

You might be wondering where the best places to look for scholarships are. Even a simple Google search can lead you to some of the best websites for scholarships. Checking in with your church and high school counselor can also be helpful for finding local or niche scholarships that might be available to you.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the best scholarship websites to get you started<\/h2>\n