Here are a couple of rules of thumb to keep in mind as you consider your college applications and scholarship applications:

1. Research all the scholarship possibilities available at your chosen school(s).

2. Apply for as many as you qualify for (a little extra effort can go quite a long way).

3. Make sure your application packet, including your scholarship essay, is complete, carefully prepared, and on time. That means if you need letters of recommendation, you need to request them well in advance so that the letter writer can get them done.

Because admissions officers and scholarship committees have to review so many applications, they are looking for reasons to exclude any that don't meet specific requirements. So be sure that you've followed the instructions exactly and, above all, don't send in your scholarship application late!

Must See Websites

1. www.finaid.org - tons of free information, guides, and calculators

2. www.collegeboard.com - standardized testing, college information, help on the FAFSA, and a whole lot more. See especially the College Board Financial Aid Easy Planner.

3. The Federal Student Aid site, where you can get a PIN and fill out the FAFSA online.

Help With the FAFSA

If you have questions about the application or about federal student financial aid in general, call:

• Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) 
  (800) 4-FED-AID (433-3243) / TTY (800) 730-8913
  Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 midnight Eastern Time
  Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time

For questions about FAFSA on the Web, call:

• FAFSA on the Web
  (800) 801-0576 / TTY (800) 511-5806
  Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 midnight Eastern Time
  Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time

Many colleges, universities, and graduate schools participate not only in national and regional scholarship programs, they often have a number of particular, specialized, or even strangely specific awards available. Some of the more common categories include:

• By college – major academic administrative unit in most colleges and universities (like the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Engineering)
• By major – a specific major is required as one of the qualifications (such as English or Computer Science), so if you change your major, you'll lose the scholarship.
• By name – these are often specific to the school and are searchable by the exact first name in the scholarship (for instance, select “J” for the John Doe Scholarship, not “D”),
• By group – often scholarships and other awards are limited to specific groups of students.
• By qualification - these awards are often limited by things like GPA, standardized test scores, or geographical region (and other limiting factors), like 'a returning Alaska Native student majoring in Nursing."

Scholarship often have requirements that stem from the funding source, such as private donors, corporations, professional associations, and alumni.

There are a number of search services available to assist students in identifying potential scholarships, like x, y, & z.

Apply Freely

• Submit applications to as many scholarships as you are eligible.
• Search for scholarship possibilities on the web.
• Make a list of all of the organizations to which you have some affiliation (e.g.: club/organization memberships, parents' employers, clubs/organizations to which they belong, etc.). Seek out possibilities within these organizations.

Meet the Eligibility Requirements

• If you don’t meet the minimum requirements, chances are your application will not be reviewed.
• For example: If the scholarship requires a 3.5 GPA and you have a 3.49, you DO NOT meet the eligibility requirement for this particular scholarship.

Once you have identified the scholarships for which you qualify, assemble the necessary materials. This will often include an application packet, transcript, letters of recommendation, and an essay or personal statement. Again, give yourself plenty of lead time, at least 4-6 weeks before the due date.

Follow Directions and Complete the Application in Full

• Most applications have a checklist; be sure you are including all required documents on the checklist.
• Did you answer the essay topic?
• Does the scholarship require additional documentation such as a transcript, letter of recommendation, resume or list of community activities?
• Did you fill out all fields on the application page?

Be Neat

• No spelling or grammatical errors.

• Do not cross out words or use white out.

• If you cannot type the application, be sure to complete the information legibly.

Meet the Deadlines

• Be sure to submit your application before the required deadline.
• Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

You also need to be aware that many schools have more than one round of awards:  one for the fall (often in the spring), one for the spring (often in the fall), and sometimes a summer round of awards. If you miss out on one round of awards, be sure to look for another.

Adapted from SDSU materials.