| There is plenty of scholarship money out there. | | | | their children will be able to pay for college. Many high |
| Some sources estimate there is between $60 and | | | | school students have no idea what they are doing in |
| $70 billion available in college and university | | | | the whole college admissions process. Sadly enough, |
| scholarships, grants, fellowships and federal funding. | | | | many high school students don't even realize that |
| All it takes is knowing where the money is and how | | | | they can get free money for college. They are told |
| to get it. You can have your share if you just follow | | | | time after time in high school the potential to get |
| these five steps. | | | | free money, but for some reason they have become |
| 1. Don't Get Pessimistic Some students don't even | | | | accustomed to block out anything a high school |
| try to get a scholarship because they believe that | | | | counselor has to say and don't ever realize how |
| their GPA or test scores are too low. Nevertheless, | | | | much opportunity for free money they are missing. |
| they don't realize that there are thousands of | | | | Therefore, a parent needs to actively teach a child |
| scholarships that don't concentrate as much on the | | | | throughout their high school career that education is |
| GPA and test score and concentrate more on the | | | | so important that organizations, companies, and even |
| person and who he/she is. The first step to landing a | | | | individual people are willing to pay for it. |
| college scholarship is believing in yourself and believing | | | | 4. Lead the Rest Just like the 8 lap, 2 mile race, there |
| that it is possible to get one. College admissions | | | | is alot of benefit to getting a large lead on your |
| officers around the world would be able to tell you | | | | competitors. First, students have a much better |
| that it never hurts to apply for scholarships even if | | | | chance of receiving federal aid when they fill out the |
| your GPA is just average or even below average. | | | | Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), |
| 2. Be Quick Future college students would be wise to | | | | which is a funding requirement for many institutions. |
| begin the long search for college money when they | | | | Second, students who take the PSAT earlier in their |
| are about 16. Before the end of the 10th grade year, | | | | high school career are more likely to become eligible |
| parents and students ought to start exploring the | | | | for scholarships than those who wait till their senior |
| financial aid programs that colleges and universities | | | | year. The trick is to do things early and to do them |
| offer. Students should never forget that is it vital to | | | | well. |
| write a school asking for special information on | | | | 5. Serve Others For many college admission |
| admissions and scholarships. This lets the college | | | | committees, a well-rounded student who gives back |
| know that they are serious about finding money for | | | | to the community is just as impressive as a straight |
| college. Students should remember that getting a | | | | A scholar. Activities outside the classroom are actually |
| scholarship can be even more simple when they don't | | | | more important than high grades and SAT scores to |
| look to far for one. Often times, the best | | | | many college scholarship and college admission |
| scholarships are within your own city limit and not on | | | | committees because they want to know how you |
| a national level. There is always less competition | | | | will impact a community or a college once you get |
| making the chances of finding a scholarship much | | | | there. If your grades are not great, this may be the |
| easier. One of the best places to spot local | | | | loophole you've been hoping for. |
| scholarship organizations are sororities. | | | | A top college scholarship is just a click away. Go to |
| 3. Include All Family In The Process It's no surprise | | | | and create your own Z-Folio to shocase yourself to |
| that Mom and Dad need to get their finances in order | | | | college admissions officers around the nation. College |
| long before their kid moves out of the house. | | | | admission officers are giving students the power to |
| Parents need to be there in every way for their | | | | showcase themselves. Join the Zinch movement |
| children. They have a special obligation to make sure | | | | today. Jason Luke writes for ioVentures. |