3 answers
Andrew
Student
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best way to go about earning scholarships?
I am trying to earn as much money as possible through scholarships to have little to no debt coming out of college. I am a Digital Media Production Major at Juniata College located in Huntingdon, PA and would like some advice on what my next steps are going about earning scholarships or to better my chances at earning them.
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1349
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Andrew you can learn about scholarships in several ways, including contacting the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend and checking information in a public library or online. But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid.
ONLINE
The best way to find scholarships is to use a personalized search, like Fastweb, that compares your student profile with a database of awards. Only those awards that fit your profile are identified as matches. Fastweb has the largest, most accurate and most frequently updated scholarship database.
HIGHSCHOOL COUNSELOR
Make an appointment with your high school counselor to talk about scholarship options. It’s part of their job to help students prepare for college and they can give you advice on which scholarships are worth applying for. They usually have a list of local scholarships available to you, so you can start deciding which ones you’d like to pursue.
LOCAL LIBRARY
Look for organizations, groups or businesses that offer scholarships to local students. You have a better chance at getting these scholarships than national competitions for which students from the entire country can apply. Call your local church, veterans groups, nonprofits, the chamber of commerce, or area businesses to find out if they offer any scholarships. It can’t hurt to ask.
Andrew every scholarship is different. So you must approach each scholarship application and/or interview accordingly. The more you know about the organization, the better chance you have of winning the scholarship. So it's important to keep several things in mind:
• Know who created the scholarship and why
• Find out information about the organization
• Know about the organization's history
• Know past recipients accomplishments
• Prepare for the interview
• Brush up on current events
Happy Hunting Andrew
ONLINE
The best way to find scholarships is to use a personalized search, like Fastweb, that compares your student profile with a database of awards. Only those awards that fit your profile are identified as matches. Fastweb has the largest, most accurate and most frequently updated scholarship database.
HIGHSCHOOL COUNSELOR
Make an appointment with your high school counselor to talk about scholarship options. It’s part of their job to help students prepare for college and they can give you advice on which scholarships are worth applying for. They usually have a list of local scholarships available to you, so you can start deciding which ones you’d like to pursue.
LOCAL LIBRARY
Look for organizations, groups or businesses that offer scholarships to local students. You have a better chance at getting these scholarships than national competitions for which students from the entire country can apply. Call your local church, veterans groups, nonprofits, the chamber of commerce, or area businesses to find out if they offer any scholarships. It can’t hurt to ask.
Andrew every scholarship is different. So you must approach each scholarship application and/or interview accordingly. The more you know about the organization, the better chance you have of winning the scholarship. So it's important to keep several things in mind:
• Know who created the scholarship and why
• Find out information about the organization
• Know about the organization's history
• Know past recipients accomplishments
• Prepare for the interview
• Brush up on current events
Happy Hunting Andrew
Just to echo Doc's answer-- all of these resources are great ways to find scholarships. College Raptor is another great website that is a useful search engine for scholarships. Good luck!
Tiffany Holmes
Hue Huynh
Solution Architect
4
Answers
Kensington, Maryland
Updated
Hue’s Answer
Hi Andrew,
Congrats on being at Juniata! I heard good things about the school - it's also my wife's alma mater.. In addition to applying for FAFSA, which I'm sure you are aware of, see if there are any scholarships specific for liberal arts colleges or those that are specific to your major. There are scholarships out there that not a lot of students may be aware of or for small amounts that students may ignore. But if you're able to get several small scholarships, it could add up at the end.
Also, another thing to consider is getting a paid internship or part time job during the year that can help offset some of that college cost as well.
Congrats on being at Juniata! I heard good things about the school - it's also my wife's alma mater.. In addition to applying for FAFSA, which I'm sure you are aware of, see if there are any scholarships specific for liberal arts colleges or those that are specific to your major. There are scholarships out there that not a lot of students may be aware of or for small amounts that students may ignore. But if you're able to get several small scholarships, it could add up at the end.
Also, another thing to consider is getting a paid internship or part time job during the year that can help offset some of that college cost as well.
Houcine Lakhchach
Career Development Specialist | U.S Department exchange Alumnus | EFL/ESL trainer | Program manager
139
Answers
Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco
Updated
Houcine’s Answer
Congratulations on pursuing a Digital Media Production major at Juniata College! To maximize your scholarship opportunities and minimize college debt, consider the following steps:
Research Local Scholarships: Explore scholarship opportunities specific to your region, such as those offered by local businesses, foundations, or community organizations in Huntingdon, PA. These may have less competition and could be tailored to your area of study.
Utilize College Resources: Visit the financial aid office at Juniata College to inquire about institution-specific scholarships or grants available to Digital Media Production majors. Colleges often have internal funding sources or partnerships with organizations.
Industry-Specific Scholarships: Look for scholarships offered by organizations related to digital media production. Industry associations, media companies, or technology firms may have scholarship programs that align with your major.
Online Scholarship Databases: Use scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Chegg, or College Board Scholarship Search to find a wide range of scholarship opportunities. Filter searches based on your major, location, and other relevant criteria.
Apply for Multiple Scholarships: Don't limit yourself to applying for just a few scholarships. Cast a wide net by applying to various opportunities, including both large and small awards. This increases your chances of securing financial support.
Perfect Your Application: Take the time to tailor each scholarship application to highlight your achievements, goals, and passion for digital media production. Ensure your resume and essays are well-crafted and free of errors.
Explore Essay Contests: Some scholarships may require essays or creative submissions. Leverage your skills in digital media production to create compelling and unique entries that showcase your talents.
Maintain a Strong GPA: Many scholarships consider academic performance. Strive to maintain a competitive GPA to enhance your eligibility for merit-based scholarships.
Participate in Extracurricular Activities: Engage in extracurricular activities related to your major, such as joining digital media clubs or participating in relevant projects. This involvement can strengthen your scholarship applications.
Seek Guidance: Don't hesitate to seek advice from your college's career services or academic advisors. They can provide valuable insights, review your scholarship applications, and guide you in the process.
Remember, persistence is key. Keep a proactive approach, stay organized, and apply for as many relevant scholarships as possible to achieve your goal of minimizing college debt. Good luck!
Research Local Scholarships: Explore scholarship opportunities specific to your region, such as those offered by local businesses, foundations, or community organizations in Huntingdon, PA. These may have less competition and could be tailored to your area of study.
Utilize College Resources: Visit the financial aid office at Juniata College to inquire about institution-specific scholarships or grants available to Digital Media Production majors. Colleges often have internal funding sources or partnerships with organizations.
Industry-Specific Scholarships: Look for scholarships offered by organizations related to digital media production. Industry associations, media companies, or technology firms may have scholarship programs that align with your major.
Online Scholarship Databases: Use scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Chegg, or College Board Scholarship Search to find a wide range of scholarship opportunities. Filter searches based on your major, location, and other relevant criteria.
Apply for Multiple Scholarships: Don't limit yourself to applying for just a few scholarships. Cast a wide net by applying to various opportunities, including both large and small awards. This increases your chances of securing financial support.
Perfect Your Application: Take the time to tailor each scholarship application to highlight your achievements, goals, and passion for digital media production. Ensure your resume and essays are well-crafted and free of errors.
Explore Essay Contests: Some scholarships may require essays or creative submissions. Leverage your skills in digital media production to create compelling and unique entries that showcase your talents.
Maintain a Strong GPA: Many scholarships consider academic performance. Strive to maintain a competitive GPA to enhance your eligibility for merit-based scholarships.
Participate in Extracurricular Activities: Engage in extracurricular activities related to your major, such as joining digital media clubs or participating in relevant projects. This involvement can strengthen your scholarship applications.
Seek Guidance: Don't hesitate to seek advice from your college's career services or academic advisors. They can provide valuable insights, review your scholarship applications, and guide you in the process.
Remember, persistence is key. Keep a proactive approach, stay organized, and apply for as many relevant scholarships as possible to achieve your goal of minimizing college debt. Good luck!