Did you know that over $3 billion is available to college students annually in the form of scholarships? But despite this giant statistic, we still tend to overlook our many options because the thought of paying off student loans seems so far ahead. However, there are just a few short years until graduation, and the time when we need to pay off loans will come quicker than we expect. Too bad we can’t just stay collegiettes™ forever! Now, we know that your parents probably remind you to apply for scholarships all the time, but take our advice: they will make paying off your debts much easier after you finish your degree (and are occupied with your new dream job!).
1. “Advice to Your High School Self”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One award of $2,500
Deadline: January 31, 2012
Ever wish you could travel back in time and tell your younger self what you now know? Campus Discovery is awarding one currently enrolled college student who writes according to the prompt, “Assume you could go back in time and talk to yourself as a high school senior. Knowing what you know now about college life and making the transition, what advice would you give yourself?” The essay should be a maximum of 200 words—sounds easy enough!
2. “Do Good, Look Good”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: Two awards of $500
Deadline: October 15, 2011
Calling all fashionistas who have a passion for community service! Macy’s is awarding scholarships that both you and your parents will love! When you sign up to participate in this program you are automatically entered for a $250 Macy’s shopping spree (your favorite part). All you have to do is report back to dosomething.org in the form of photos, videos, writing, etc. describing what you did to help your community. Two creative winners will receive $500 scholarships (your parents’ favorite part).
[pagebreak]
3. “Win Free College Tuition” Sweepstakes
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One grand prize of up to $10,000 in college tuition
Deadline: January 2, 2012
Your college tuition paid for by NextStepU Magazine would be the ultimate prize. The best part? All you have to do is enter the sweepstakes form online! There will be one grand prize winner who will be selected at random, making this is a great opportunity for those who didn’t achieve the highest grades or SAT scores in high school!
4. “Your Point of View” Contest
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: Three awards of $300-$1,000
Deadline: November 1, 2011
Hey political junkies! What changes would you like to see in America’s Education System? Show off your writing skills in an essay discussing your thoughts on the problems many K-12 schools face. This essay is short, two pages or less!
5. “PossibilityU”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One $5,000 scholarship
Deadline: October 13, 2011
Want a break from writing essays? Switch it up and create a fun five-minute video explaining the importance of a college education in today’s world and discuss how spending your time on meaningful activities while at school can impact your future. Five video prompts can be found on the PossibilityU website.
6. “Lead With Your Heart”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One $5,000 scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2011
Leaders, it’s time to step up to the plate! Many of you are leaders on your college campuses, so why not show off your abilities? Tell cappex.com about your extracurricular and service experiences, and don’t forget to emphasize any leadership positions!
7. “$1,000 Weekly Scholarship”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One $1,000 scholarship
Deadline: Weekly
A scholarship you can apply for every week? It can’t get better than that. Simply fill out some brief information about yourself and respond to the short answer question, which is different from week to week. Easy enough, right?
[pagebreak]
8. “$20,000 Sweet Diggity Dawg”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One $20,000 scholarship
Deadline: January 15, 2012
Another easy-to-apply-for scholarship from zinch.com! Again, answer a few questions about yourself online and anxiously wait to see if you’ve won a huge prize of $20,000!
9. “Monthly Scholarship by Scholarshippoints.com”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One scholarship worth up to $10,000
Deadline: Monthly
Scholarshippoints.com gave over $120,000 in scholarships in 2010! Be eligible for the drawing by filling out some quick information about yourself—which you probably already have memorized from all those college applications.
10. “I Don’t Want to Pay for College”
How to Apply: find out here!
Prize: One $1,000 scholarship
Deadline: October 31, 2011
Who actually wants to pay for college? Not us! You’ve probably visited cappex.com throughout your scholarship search, but take a second look because they wantto give you money for you college pursuits. Make sure you create an account and fill out all the needed information.
While you’re planning for your finances throughout your college years don’t forget to talk to the office of financial aid at your school. You never know what scholarships they have to offer for interested students like you, and be sure to continue your search online!