Ed Blitz
FACTOID
A dollar is also called a "buck" because in the early frontier days, the skin of a male deer (or a buck) bought a dollar's worth of goods at the market.
|
In the last column we talked about grants, loans and work-study programs. Now, let's take a look at scholarships.
Scholarships are awarded to students who meet the qualifications established for individual programs, such as high academic performance, leadership or involvement in school or community activities, talent or skill in a particular academic area, proficiency in sports or fine arts, etc. Unlike loans, scholarships don't need to be repaid.
The keys to getting scholarships: Start early (begin exploring possibilities in your junior year of high school); selectively choose to apply for those with criteria matching your situation; do not miss deadlines; and line up letters of recommendation from references who can characterize your abilities.
Many scholarships are out there – but you have to look for them. Recently there was even an ad in this newspaper advertising $1,000 scholarships from the local Ford dealers. Bottom line: Tens of thousands of dollars go unclaimed each year.
The following are printed guides to scholarships and financial aid. Most are available at area bookstores as well as Amazon.com and similar Web sites.
"A Black Student's Guide to Scholarships" (fifth edition) Barry Beckham, $17.95.
"America's Best College Scholarships" by John Culler, $19.95.
"Art & Design Scholarships: A Complete Guide" by Conway Greene, $20.95.
"Athletic Scholarships: A Complete Guide" (second edition) by Conway Greene, $23.95.
"The Athletic Recruiting and Scholarship Guide for High School Athletes and Parents" by Wayne Mazzoni, $19.95.
"Barron's Complete College Financing Guide" by Marguerite J. Dennis, $14.95.
"Bears' Guide to Finding Money for College" by John Bear and Mariah P. Bear, $8.95.
"The Big Book of Minority Opportunities – Seventh Edition" by Elizabeth Oakes, $39.95.
"Big Book of Opportunities for Women" by Elizabeth A. Olson, $39.95.
"The College Board College Cost & Financial Aid Handbook," $21.95.
"Dan Cassidy's Worldwide Graduate Scholarship Directory" (fourth edition) by Daniel J. Cassidy, $26.99.
"The College Board Scholarship Handbook," $24.95.
"College Financial Aid for Dummies" by Herm Davis, Joyce Lain Kennedy, $19.99.
"Dollars for College: The Quick Guide to Financial Aid for Education" by Cheryl S. Hecht, $6.95.
"Financial Aid for Veterans, Military Personnel, and Their Dependents" edited by Gail A. Schlachter and R. David Weber, $40.
"The Graduate Student's Complete Scholarship Book" by Student Services Inc., $18.95.
"The Hispanic Scholarship Directory: Over 500 Ways to Finance Your Education" by Andres Tobar, $19.95.
"Music, Dance & Theater Scholarships: A Guide to Undergraduate Awards" (second edition) edited by Pat Phillips and Tom Armstrong, $24.95.
"Peterson's Scholarships, Grants & Prizes," $26.95.
"Peterson's Winning Money for College: The High School Student's Guide to Top College Scholarship Contests" (fourth edition) by Alan Deutschman, $12.95.
In addition, the Grossmont College Library has put together a list of scholarship databases you can access through the Internet. The database programs will ask you to enter information about your grade point average, interests, activities, employment and other things and will match your responses to scholarships you may be eligible to apply for.
Here are a few such sites. Be advised that some may ask for an annual fee to search for scholarships for you:
www.fastweb.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.collegenet.com
www.sciencewise.com
www.wiredscholar.com
www.srnexpress.com
www.iasf.org – Native American scholarships
www.collegefund.org – Native American scholarships
www.collegequest.com
www.absolutelyscholarships.com
www.scholarshipcoach.com – offers tips on searching and applying for scholarships.
www.freschinfo.com
www.fastaid.com
www.finaid.org
www.iie.org/gilman – This scholarship site is for students participating in a study abroad program.
Now go for it! There is lots of money out there just waiting to be awarded. You just have to do the work to find it.
Ed Blitz is a certified public accountant in San Diego and author of "The 10% Solution." Send letters to him in care of Family Finances/Family section, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191. Send e-mail to: family@uniontrib.com
