Scholarship Criteria, Deadlines, Scams, and Other Sources of Money
Whether you apply for scholarships from The Sallie Mae Fund or use scholarship search sites, there is some information you should know.
Criteria
Many scholarships are based on select criteria, like:
- grades
- gender
- chosen college
- race
- chosen major
- religious affiliation
- organization affiliation
- parents' organization affiliation
- artistic ability
- parents' place of work
- leadership ability
- military background
- athletic ability
- economic need
Deadlines
The listed deadline is the date when the completed application must be received. That day can arrive before you know it, so get organized, get a deadline calendar, and give yourself plenty of time to find scholarships, request applications, receive them, complete them, and send them in.
Deadlines are usually between December and April, so get a head start and begin researching scholarships the summer before your senior year. Often scholarships are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. So what are you waiting for?
Scams
Some websites and agencies charge hefty fees to find the same information you can find yourself for free. Other sites and agencies are outright scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Check with your guidance counselor or the Better Business Bureau before using any private scholarship search companies. Remember: No one can guarantee you a scholarship.
Other Sources
There are a number of organizations that will pay all or part of your way through college in return for a two- to four-year commitment when you graduate. These include:
- Merchant Marine Academy
- ROTC
- federal programs for underserved school districts
Networking
Tell family, friends, teachers, and other people in your community that you are looking for money for school. Local scholarships might have less competition. Your contacts may know of resources you never would have considered.
Thanks
If you get a scholarship, write a small thank you note to the people who provided it. Make a good impression—you may want to reapply for the scholarship next year.
