| While it may sound appealing to pay someone to do | | | | parents through prizes and scholarships. |
| all of the research and documentation for a college | | | | What does the student do with this information? |
| scholarship search, it is perhaps best for the student | | | | There are many free scholarship search engines on |
| and their parents to do the work themselves. | | | | the internet, there are many publications that list |
| This is for several reasons; first only the student | | | | annual scholarship opportunities and there is always |
| knows all of their own interests, activities, hobbies | | | | the school guidance counselor who is aware of every |
| and relevant data. A typical scholarship search agency | | | | local and state opportunity as well as the major |
| will ask about academic interests and career choices | | | | national opportunities. |
| and may miss out on dozens, if not hundreds, of | | | | A second reason that a student and their parents |
| potential scholarship sources. For example, there are | | | | should perform their own scholarship search involves |
| hundreds of civic organizations that make scholarship | | | | family history. There are many groups that grant |
| funds available to the children of their participating | | | | funds to people from specific backgrounds. For |
| members. An agency may not take the time to ask | | | | example, there are many Native American specific |
| for all of the relevant data. | | | | scholarships for students who can demonstrate their |
| A student should, however, make a comprehensive | | | | heritage and connection to a tribe or Nation. |
| list of all the groups they and their parents belong to. | | | | Another reason a student should do all of the leg |
| Does Dad participate in a bowling league? Is he now, | | | | work for their scholarship search is to save money. |
| or was he ever a Scout Master? Is Mom a member | | | | Most search services will ask for a small fee, and |
| of the Daughters of the American Revolution? Could | | | | with the cost of applications, materials and travel a |
| she be? What about the student? Are they a | | | | college and scholarship search will all ready be taking a |
| member of 4-H? A list of all the groups and | | | | toll on a parent's or household budget. |
| organizations will turn up dozens of scholarship | | | | Finally, when a student performs their own |
| opportunities. | | | | scholarship search they are able to make realistic |
| What about the hobbies and interests of the parents | | | | choices for application. They will know exactly which |
| and the student? Does the family watch NASCAR? | | | | awards they qualify for, and which they do not. They |
| Are they hikers that are members of a local or | | | | can locate unique opportunities for themselves based |
| national naturalists group? Does anyone collect coins | | | | on full knowledge of their parent's and their own |
| or stamps? Here too are hundreds of opportunities | | | | background and can find better success in receiving |
| for college funding. Many local, state and national | | | | financial assistance. |
| groups provide support to college students and their | | | | |