Scholarships

Now it’s time to gather some funds to pay for your education. By visiting EducationPlanner online, you can explore all of the financial options available to you.

The most highly desired source of money in the college application game is scholarships, because you don’t have to pay the money back. Scholarships are basically gifts of money from organizations that have an interest in your future. They are most commonly based on academic achievements, sports, or financial need.

As a student athlete, your most obvious focus point will be sports scholarships. But there are a lot of student athletes out there and only so much money to go around. Look beyond the obvious and think about what other special characteristics you may have. Some organizations award scholarships based on a student’s ethnic background or study interests.

Scholarship searches can be done on the Internet, but don’t stop there. Visit the financial aid or student aid office at a local college. Pick up scholarship books at the library or bookstore. Ask your parents to check with their employers—some businesses offer scholarships to the children of their employees. If Dad is a member of the Order of Wild-Eyed Spotted Ferrets (or other more common organizations), check to see what scholarships they may be offering. Keep an eye on your local paper—you’ll be surprised how many small community organizations offer scholarships.

Each scholarship source will require an application and usually an essay. That’s right…more paperwork. But it will be worth it in the long run. Just follow the instructions provided by the organization offering the scholarship. Get your neatly prepared materials in on time and keep your fingers crossed. Your chances will depend on how many other applications are received and how convincing your essay is.

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