Many students do not
use the available resources at their institution. Your deans,
professors, counselors, teachers, faculty, coaches, etc. are
all part of a “networking center” to help students
complete their education. Ask any and everyone about possible
scholarship opportunities. Being persistent will pay-off.
•
Web
Site
Visit the web
site of each school you plan to/currently attend. Most
schools post information about their financial aid programs
and scholarships on their web site. You should browse
the following areas on each web site: admissions, financial
aid, academic departments, clubs and organizations, school
sponsored awards, etc.
•
The
Financial Aid Office (FAO) and Administrators
The financial
aid office administers and oversees how federal, state,
and institutional aid is allocated to its students. Within
each financial aid office, there are several financial
aid administrators to help you and your parents understand
the entire financial aid process. The financial aid administrator
is your best resource about financial aid programs and
application procedures, especially at that particular
school. If you have any questions, you should not hesitate
to call with your questions. Their service is FREE.
The school's financial aid office may have additional
information on awards sponsored by alumni and private
organizations that are designated for students attending
their school. There may be several binders with a listing
of scholarships, a computerized database, and/or a bulletin
board with posted information within the financial aid
office.
•
Career
Center / Placement Office
Many schools
have a career center/placement office for their students.
The purpose of these offices is for students to be informed
about internships, cooperative education programs, and
job opportunities. Visit your school’s career center/placement
office and ask the staff, if they are aware of any scholarships
and/or internship opportunities for students in your field
of study. Some scholarship and internship opportunities
may be posted on the bulletin boards within their office.
There may be several binders with a listing of scholarships,
a computerized database, and/or a bulletin board with
posted information within the career center.
•
Professors
/ Coaches / Faculty Members
Professors,
coaches, and faculty members are often overlooked by students
seeking scholarships. These administrators may be aware
of some scholarships specifically for your major awarded
by industry businesses or organizations of which they
belong. These administrators are in contact with outside
sources (i.e. national and regional businesses) that may
offer scholarships and internship opportunities, or they
may know of another scholarship sponsor to assist you.
The financial aid office may not be aware of some departments
that offer their own scholarships. If you are an athlete,
ask your coach about any scholarship opportunities.
•
Alumni
Associations
Most institutions
have an alumni association in which its members give generous
donations to help provide scholarships to students attending
their school. In order to be eligible for these awards,
you must also meet other eligibility requirements. Ask
your academic advisor and visit your school’s alumni
affairs office and/or student affairs office (if applicable)
to inquire about possible scholarships.
•
Cultural
Centers
Most schools
have cultural centers for students of various ethnic and
religious backgrounds to relax and gather with their peers.
If you fall within any of these categories, visit the
cultural center on campus and inquire about any scholarship
opportunities. Review any materials posted on the bulletin
board and newsletters. Ask the director or receptionist,
if the cultural center offer scholarships or know of organizations
on- or off-campus that provide scholarships, grants, or
fellowships for students.
•
Fellow
Students
Ask your fellow
students, if they heard of any scholarships announcements
or applied to any in the previous years. Some students
may be hesitant to tell you about their scholarship opportunities,
since you may be in competition against them.
•
Fraternities
and Sororities
Many fraternities
and sororities offer scholarships to its members and non-members.
Contact the fraternities and sororities on your campus
for more information. You should also contact the organization’s
national headquarters and regional offices for scholarship
information.
•
Clubs
/ Organizations
If you are
a member of a club/organization at your school, ask the
organization’s advisor or president about possible
scholarships for members. If your club/organization is
one of many chapters, contact the national and regional
offices and inquire about scholarship opportunities for
members. It is best to ask the secretary or receptionist,
since most announcements are filtered through their desk,
or they can forward your call to the appropriate person(s)
or department.
•
School
Newspaper
Some local,
community, and national scholarships are announced in
your school’s newspaper.
•
Bulletin
Boards
Information
about scholarships and internships may be posted on the
bulletin boards in/or around your academic department’s
main office, dean’s office, main entrance to the
building, or other high traffic areas. Whenever you are
walking through the halls of your school’s buildings
on campus, take a glance at the bulletin boards for scholarship
and internship information.
