Applying for scholarships can be a complicated process, from gathering the paperwork, getting recommendations, writing application essays and meeting the deadline.

Guide to Student Loan
 Your financial aid award letter comes after you have been accepted to college. What your letter looks like varies from school to school, but you can count on some basic information.

Cover Letter
 Good cover letters accomplish two things: they make the process more efficient, and they display maturity and professionalism to the selection committee. Below are some essential cover letter tips that just might make yours the winning application:

Application Request: To request an application for a scholarship, inform the provider of where you learned about the award and why you are eligible for it. Be brief – you'll have the chance to sell them in your application. Be sure to provide your correct mailing address. Also, request the application early to leave enough time for you to submit a strong application packet.


Recommendation Request: When requesting a recommendation letter for a scholarship (or a college application), select someone who has worked closely with you and who understands the award you're applying for. Be sure to leave ample time for the recommender to write the letter and send it in by the deadline. Give no less than three weeks' notice. Provide the recommender with all the information they need to write the letter:

  • Remind them of the contact you have had with them (the specific class, extracurricular activities, etc.).

  • Let them know what the scholarship committee is looking for and how you fulfill those requirements, so that they know what to emphasize in the letter.

  • Provide your contact information.

  • Make sure they are aware of the deadline date.

  • Include transcripts, portfolios, resumes or any other information you have that will help the recommender write a strong letter.

  • Don't forget to thank your recommender.

General Links for Help

Financial Aid

FAFSA
www.fafsa.ed.gov
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is available online. The form is required for all students who seek federally funded financial aid programs. Submit the form no sooner than January 1, but as quickly as possible in January since aid is distributed on a first-come, first serve basis.

FinAid
www.finaid.org
Award winning site provides free, comprehensive information about financial aid including scholarships, grants, federal and state aid, and loans.

Scholarship Resources

WiredScholar
www.wiredscholar.com
Wiredscholar is brought to you by Sallie Mae. This website is comprehensive in its offerings including information about preparing, deciding, selecting, paying, and financial aid. The website has good checklists and ways for you to take charge of and stay organized for your college education.

Think College
www.ed.gov/thinkcollege
This U.S. Department of Education website offers sections for preparing for college, finding financial aid, and applying for federal aid. It caters to high school students, college students, their parents, and students who are going back to school.

College is Possible
www.collegeispossible.org
Created by the Coalition of American Colleges and Universities, this site offers information concerning planning for college, choosing the right college, and paying for college. This site also offers valuable information for adult students.

Planning for College

Hobson's College View
www.collegeview.com
Information about colleges and universities including key facts, campus life, and financial information. You can search by school name or you can put in the criteria you want to find a college that is right for you.

Adventures in Education
http://adventuresineducation.org
Although this site is sponsored by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp., this site provides extensive, valuable information for students nationwide concerning planning for college and selecting a college.

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov
The Health Resources Services Administration has an extensive website for students going into the health care fields.  There are scholarship and loan repayment listings for nurses, doctors, physician assistants, and dentists as well as grants and funding opportunities. 

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
https://www.nrotc.navy.mil
Selected applicants for the NROTC Scholarship Program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition, books, fees and other financial benefits at many of the country's leading colleges and universities. Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the unrestricted line Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve.

FastWeb.com
www.fastweb.com
Provides a searchable database of 600,000 scholarship opportunities.

FreeScholarship Search
www.freschinfo.com
A listing of over 1,900 organizations offering nearly 150,000 scholarship awards. 

IFA Educational Foundation
www.franchise.org/edufound/edufound.asp
Provides program and scholarship listing for students pursuing programs in franchising and/or entrepreneurial studies.  Also provides assistance to adults entrepreneurs. 

Organization of American States
www.educoas.org
If you are an international student, the Organization of American States will have valuable information for you.

College Savings Plan Network
www.collegesavings.org
This site is a portal to college savings plans including state-sponsored savings and prepaid tuition plans, which are both popular and tax beneficial ways to save for a college education.

Grants for minorities: Asians, Blacks, latinos and etc
http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3specpop.htm

www.rischolarships.com
become a member, free. Scholarships are found by categories and field of study. Very resourcefull

http://www.education-online-search.com
Free college and career education portal
Find career information and information on schools offering education and degrees for your fields of choice