| It's that time of year when many high school seniors | | | | (unlike loans). |
| are solidifying which colleges they're interested in and | | | | Most well-known are scholarships for students with |
| getting those applications ready. What things should a | | | | strong academic backgrounds and good test scores, |
| senior look for? | | | | as well as scholarships for athletic and talent. Colleges |
| So many, many colleges to choose from - how does | | | | want these students to enhance the school's image. |
| one make an intelligent decision? The first | | | | But other "free money," as it were, also exists. |
| consideration in most minds is probably the type of | | | | Often this money has been given to the school as an |
| programs offered at the school. Is your student | | | | endowment from alumni who wish to aid today's |
| interested in a medical field? Then the college should | | | | students in acquiring their education. |
| offer a good program in that field. Engineering? | | | | Who gets that money? It depends on the wishes of |
| Likewise. | | | | the person who donated the money. The |
| But what if you've already found several colleges | | | | requirements are as diverse as the individual's wishes: |
| with programs that fit your student? Or - even more | | | | a particular ethnic group; an interest in a specific field; |
| decision-defying - your student doesn't yet know | | | | a student from a particular county or high school; |
| what he or she wants to major in? Choosing the | | | | association with a club or church or civic organization. |
| right program may not narrow down the potential list | | | | One university in our state has a list of over 200 |
| of colleges enough. What other things should you | | | | scholarships with such specific requirements. These |
| (and your student look for)? | | | | scholarship range anywhere from $1000 up to full |
| Many other considerations make up the | | | | tuition. Paging through this list is both exhilarating and |
| decision-making process. Here are a few: | | | | exhausting! Yet a thorough examination might be |
| (1) The school's overall approach to education. Does | | | | very lucrative. |
| its philosophy of education match yours? | | | | So how does a student get that money? How do |
| (2) The academic level of students the school | | | | you even KNOW if such money exists? The best |
| attracts. If the college chooses students whose | | | | answer to that question is: ASK. Telephone the |
| ACT scores range from 24-30, and your student got | | | | admissions office and ask what scholarships are |
| a 24, will he have a difficult time being on the lower | | | | available. If possible, look through the scholarship |
| range? | | | | listing yourself. Sometimes they are available on the |
| (3) Average class size. If you live in a small town and | | | | college's website. |
| your student is accustomed to small numbers, | | | | Once you find a scholarship your student may qualify |
| perhaps the large university (often placing 150 | | | | for, be sure to carry through with the application. |
| freshmen in core classes) may be a difficult | | | | Look at what's required to win the scholarship. Many |
| adjustment. | | | | times an essay or interview is required. Some |
| (4) Types of financial packages available. Since | | | | scholarships require the student's participation in a |
| finances are often a big hurdle to overcome, let's | | | | scholarship competition. The rewards are high for |
| look at this one in more detail: | | | | those who seek! And many times, the college you |
| Many colleges offer a number of scholarships to | | | | wanted but could not afford can be discounted to |
| incoming freshmen. This is money right off the top of | | | | the point that you can plan it into your student's |
| your tuition - money that does not need to be repaid | | | | future. |