how to get scholarships, how to win a scholarship

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seven steps to winning a scholarship:

Source: UCLA Financial Aid Office

1- Contact the financial aid office at the college where you want to attend:
The largest amount of financial aid comes from federal, state, and institutional grants and tuition discounts. Your financial aid office can help you find information on available scholarships, grants, and loans according to your needs and background.

2- Contact the academic department at the college where you want to attend:
If you have already decided on a major, your academic department may be aware of awards designated for students in your area of study.

3- Do not give up:
Do not believe that because you do not have straight A's, there's nothing available to you. There are scholarships available based on hobbies, interests, background, financial need, community service, etc... Seek out local and national organizations and associations in your areas of interest to see whether any scholarship opportunities exist.

4- Apply early:
The best time to apply is NOW! Waiting too long will result in missed deadlines. Seniors should start filling out applications to meet the early or mid-fall application deadlines. Do not wait to be accepted to a college to research and apply for private scholarships. If you do not receive a scholarship the first time around, do not get discouraged. Most scholarships are not limited to freshmen; you may have better luck the following year.

5- Stack up the small scholarships:
Studies show that families often overlook scholarships that are less than $500. You may be thinking that these awards will not even make a dent in your college costs, but adding up multiple small awards can prove to be a benefit in your scholarship quest.

6- Write the essay if asked:
No one likes to write essays, so use that fact to your advantage. Scholarships that require essays receive fewer applicants, giving you a better chance of qualifying. Keep copies of all the application materials you submit. Oftentimes, essays and other application materials can be tweaked and used again for future applications. Be sure to thoroughly proofread before submitting each application.

7- Do not get scammed:
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about scholarship scams, which promise that, for a fee, they can help the family access more student aid. Similar scams charge students high scholarship search or application fees. According to the FTC, most scholarship sponsors do not charge up-front fees to apply for funding, and no legitimate scholarship sponsor can guarantee that you will win an award. The financial aid office at your school can help you apply for student aid.