Finding Scholarships that Fit

There are many organizations, both nationally and locally, that offer scholarships to students. While the majority are for undergraduate studies there are a few for graduate level work. Most target specific populations such as women entering engineering fields or students in educational studies. To understand how you may be eligible for various awards, complete this worksheet which outlines the range of scholarship categories.
 
Achievement 
  • Academic achievement: Most recent GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Past performance/ special honors  
  • Employment experience and skills  
  • Leadership ability or potential in school and community  
  • Community activities (organized or individual)  
  • Artistic talents (in performing, fine and applied arts) 

  • Hobbies, special interests or activities  
Personal Background 
  • Ethnic or racial heritage  
  • Religious affiliation with specific church or faith  
  • Employer or union memberships  
  • Membership in civic organizations  
  • Past military service (yourself, spouse or parents) 

  • Alumni affiliation (immediate family attending that same college)  
Future Goals 
  • Field of study  
  • Career plans during or after college  
 
Look at your answers, are there any common points? Start with broad categories then narrow to your particular circumstance.

For instance, there are scholarships for academic achievement which do not specify a particular field of study. So if you were interested in medicine and only looked at listings for medicine, you might miss some awards which do not specify a particular academic area. Or if you are Asian American and only look for awards which are designated for that population, you might miss awards that are categorized generally for students of color. The key is to move from general to specific categories so you do not miss any opportunities. It may take longer to research awards this way, but it is well worth the time once you see the number of opportunities