Private Scholarships Online
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIPONLINE
For many students, the search for private scholarships has become an
essential part of college financial aid. A means to avoid excessive student
loan debt, private scholarships can provide an alternative to borrowing.
Eighty percent of private scholarships are based on student merit rather
than need. As a result, students not eligible for need-based financial aid
are still able to find merit-based private scholarships for which they can
apply.
The Pacific Northwest Scholarship Guide was first published by the nonprofit
College Planning Network (CPN) in 1989, featuring both local and national
scholarships. The free online version of the Scholarship Guide was introduced
in 1998 and allows Web site visitors to sort through the scholarship data,
matching student characteristics with available scholarships. The book and
Web search data base are designed to work together so that students can
sort a list of matching scholarships online, view or print the list and
then review individual scholarship profiles in the book or on the Web site.
The following is a review of the ways to best use the Scholarship Guide
Online (www.collegplan.org/cpnow/pnwguide/pnwguide.htm).
The Scholarship Guide Online allows visitors to select one or more eligibility
categories for sorting the database. If more than one category is selected,
the list will include all scholarships in either eligibility group. If all
eligibility categories are selected, a list of the entire database will
be displayed. It is best to select one eligibility category at a time in
order to facilitate review of a manageable number of scholarships.
SORTING SCHOLARSHIPS BY ELIGIBILITY CODES |
Each scholarship included in the database is identified by categories of eligibility. These categories divide scholarships into major groupings common to all scholarships. These eligibility categories are: Racial Minority - Person of color, at least 25% Asian, African-American, Native-American, Hispanic-American. Geographically Specific - Scholarships available to students who live in a specific area. (i.e., city, county, state, region.) Medicine - Scholarships for students majoring in the health sciences. Sciences - Scholarships for students majoring in science. Business - Scholarships for students majoring in business. Humanities - Scholarships for students majoring in the humanities. Arts - Scholarships for students majoring in the arts. Extracurricular Involvement - Scholarships relating to extracurricular activities Family Affiliation - Scholarships relating to family memberships, activities and affiliations. Gender Specific - Scholarships for women. Physically Challenged - Scholarships available to the physically challenged. Religious Affiliation - Scholarships available from religious organizations. Ethnic Background - Scholarship available to students who are from a specific ethnic background (at least 25%). High School - Scholarships available to high school students. Undergraduate - Scholarships available to college students. Graduate - Scholarships available to post-graduate students. Returning Adults - Scholarships available to students over the age of 24, who are returning to college. |
Sorting scholarships using the 'key word search' feature
In addition to selecting scholarships by categories of eligibility, students
may wish to use the 'key word search' feature. The 'key word search' allows
for selection of scholarships that include a desired word in one of three
data locations; the scholarship name, organization name or selection criteria.
Selecting scholarships by this method allows for very specific sorting of
the database. Example: A student planning to major in business may be specifically
interested in accounting. By searching for the word 'accounting' in the
scholarship name, organization or criteria, different lists will be assembled.
It is best to sort in all three data locations to be sure that all potential
awards are identified.
Reviewing scholarship lists
Once eligibility categories or key words have been identified, students
can build a list of selected scholarships. The list will include the scholarship
number as assigned by CPN, award name and sponsoring organization, the scholarship
deadline and award amount, where this information is available. For future
reference, it may make sense to print a copy of the list. The scholarship
name is linked to an individual profile of the award for immediate viewing.
If students have access to a copy of CPN's 225 page Pacific Northwest Scholarship
Guide, the list can be used with the book for a more leisurely review of
individual scholarship profiles.
Reviewing individual scholarship profiles
Individual scholarship profiles may be selected by clicking on the scholarship
name, identified on any selected list. The profile provides a summary of
key scholarship data. CPN provides all data made available by the sponsoring
organization, however, not all organizations provide complete information.
After reviewing profile information, students should contact the organizations
to request award applications where eligibility characteristics match. Scholarship
organizations can change scholarship deadlines, amounts and criteria so
it is always best to confirm this critical information, directly from the
sponsoring organization.
Online links to scholarship organizations and applications
A new feature available with the Scholarship Guide Online is the addition
of e-mail and Web site links. This allows students to link directly to scholarship
sponsoring organizations for information or applications. Simply click on
the linked e-mail or Web address and send requests electronically or go
to the organizations Web site.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP LISTS ONLINE
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