The Collegebound Resource

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-23T12:08:00.002-06:00

Just a quick note wishing everyone a very happy holiday season and winter break. I hope finals went well!

I look forward to writing more posts after Christmas.

Random comic.

2008-12-21T14:53:00.001-06:00

Even athletes need to earn scholarships.

2008-12-18T09:21:00.002-06:00

If you're wondering the odds of winning an athletic scholarship, you should read my previous post here. The truth is, athletes need to work at earning scholarships, too. And, new sites are making it easier for athletes to promote themselves and secure money for college.

Using social-networking strategies (think Facebook and MySpace), these sites allow athletes to post their resumes and add videos displaying their skills.

If you're interested in learning more about this technique, and how other athletes "did it themselves," read this great article by the Wall Street Journal.

Happy hunting!

First come, first serve financial aid.

2008-12-16T11:01:00.004-06:00

It’s no secret that the economy is going through some slow times. And, as the current financial situation effects many businesses, it’s also impacting the number and amount of scholarships, loans, and federal financial aid.

While this may sound ominous, there is still plenty of money to be earned. You just need to increase your diligence, preparedness, and attitude. Here are some suggestions to stay on top of the financial aid and scholarship game.

1. Fill out your FAFSA.

This year, more families than ever will be applying for federally funded financial aid. The problem, as always, is that there is a fixed amount of funds available. The sooner you apply, the greater your chances of securing some money. Apply even if you don’t think you’ll qualify. The earliest you can file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is January 1. You can file online, and I highly recommend you file the first of the year. To hit the ground running, fill out a sample form on the FAFSA website, gather all tax information, and set up a free account on www.fafsa.ed.gov. On January 1, you’ll be ready to file.

2. Get your college applications and financial forms in early.

Just as the government has a set amount of funds available for students, colleges are limited in the amount of scholarship money they can award each academic year. Typically, schools award money on a first come, first serve basis, and the number and amount of awards decrease as time progresses. What does this mean? More money is available at the beginning of the application cycle. Students that apply early in the application process are more likely to be granted a better financial aid package or get scholarships from the college. And, the amount of the scholarship is typically higher the earlier you apply. In addition to your basic admission application, be sure to complete any extra materials associated with scholarships, grants, or being considered for the college’s award money and return these forms as soon as possible. Sometimes, you are automatically considered for awards based on your college application, other times it is a separate process altogether. Check with your potential colleges to find out their procedures.

3. Apply for every scholarship you can.

In years past, students could afford to be picky. Scholarships with essay requirements were commonly ignored, scholarships less than $500 often we’re rejected, and there was basic apathy among high school students regarding scholarships. The fact is, you can’t afford to be picky. You must apply for any scholarship you have a chance at winning. In hockey, they say you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. The same is true with scholarships. You lose 100% of the scholarships you don’t apply for. This year, take your scholarship search seriously. Visit your career center or guidance counselor and request a scholarship list immediately. If your school does not have one, conduct an online search. Visit my previous posts for specific scholarship search strategies.

The strategies outlined above may seem simple, and they are. However, knowing something and executing are two different things. When you actually do the things above, you increase your chances of securing money for college.

Good luck. If you need help, just remember to repeat the mantra: early bird catches the worm.

The Scholarship To-Do List, Part 4: Online Search Strategy

2008-12-14T18:04:00.003-06:00

Typically, the internet is the first place students and parents will search for scholarships. And, while this can work, it’s better to complete a couple steps to make the most of your online efforts. For review, I will quickly list those steps (you can also click on the links, they will take you to the full articles):

1. Understand the importance of an activity list.

2. Create a very specific activity list.

3. Visit your academic advisors.

Simple steps, sure. But, they’re essential to your online success. Here’s why: an activity list will help you create a strategic, focused plan of attack. Your counselors might be able to direct you to especially helpful sites you might have otherwise ignored or alert you to scholarships not listed online.

Once you’ve completed steps one, two, and three, you’re ready to search online. Now, before you jump onto Fastweb or another scholarship search engine, make use of your activity list. Follow the steps below to succeed online.

1. Use long-tail search terms.

A long tail search term is a phrase, rather than word, you type into the Google, Yahoo, or Ask search bars. For instance, instead of searching for “scholarships,” (which can return an overwhelming number of web pages) you’ll have better luck using a long tail search term like “art scholarships” or “scholarships for boy scouts.” In addition, use synonyms for scholarship like “grants,” “awards,” and “endowments.” To find scholarships that you’ll be especially qualified for, use your activity list. Type in “[your Activity] scholarship(s)” into the major search engines: you’ll be pleased by the return of more specific sites.

2. Find activity-related groups.

Use your activity list to find specific groups that cater to your interests: most have scholarships. Associations, clubs, groups, and professional organizations offer many scholarships to students that participate in their activity or pursuing degrees in their area of expertise. For instance, if you’re interested in photography (yes, this is an example I use a lot, but bear with me) you would type in “photography association.” When I did this, my search returned the site for Professional Photographers of America. Using the site search function, I typed in “scholarships.” Seven results popped up. To do this with your specific activities, simply choose an activity, type in “[activity] associations.” You can also do this with your major or future profession. For instance: “physical therapy association.” In addition, use synonyms for association like: organization, club, group, etc. The key here is to have fun with this process and think creatively.

3. Use the news function

Many times, I forget that I can use different search functions and get different (and sometimes better) information. It pays to use the “news” search function on search engines (you find this near the top of the page on Google, above the search bar on Yahoo.) Before you conduct a search, click on the link for “news.” Then, proceed with your search as you would normally. When you search using the news function, the results are media stories about your search terms. This is beneficial because most scholarship donors publicize the winners through newspaper or TV stories. When they advertise the winners, you can find out about the award, when applications are typically due, and what it takes to win. (Plus, if a scholarship related to your interests pops up, it validates the scholarship.) The only downside to this type of search is that you probably missed the current-year deadline. I use this function primarily to plan for the upcoming year. The lesson is that if you want to win awards, you must think ahead.

4. Don’t limit yourself to one search engine.

I use Google all the time. And, while Google is a very good search engine, it’s not the only one. While other search engines like Yahoo and Ask may not be as appealing or familiar to you, they tend to churn up different search results. The different lists can lead you to different web pages, and more scholarship opportunities. Don’t be scared, explore and compare. You never know what you might find.

I hope that these steps will help you conduct a very fruitful online scholarship search. With a little creativity, dedication, and web surfing I know you’ll have much success.

Interesting way to pay for college...

2008-12-09T10:13:00.004-06:00

It's no secret that paying for college has become more of a struggle recently. Parents aren't able to contribute as much, loan companies are reducing their support, and jobs are becoming more scarce.

Interestingly, these tough times force people to become more creative in the way they attempt to finance their schooling, or pay for things in general. More and more, I'm hearing people talk about "human capital contracts." And, while the phrase doesn't exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy, it's definitely an idea worth discussing.

A human capital contract is an agreement entered into by an investor and college student. The investor pays college expenses, as an investment, in return for a percentage of the college student's future earnings over a fixed amount of time.

The benefits:

-Financial risk is transferred from the student to the investor

- The student avoids student-loan debt that can delay many life events like marriage, buying a home.

-The payment percentage is directly proportional to the amount the student makes in his or her job. (A teacher, for instance would have smaller payments while a lawyer or doctor would have higher payments.)

The downfalls:

-The contracts create an incentive for students to hide their income. (Remember, payments are based on earnings: the more you make, the more you pay.)

-No fixed payment is required. Therefore, a student could play Wii all day and not pay anything.

-"Adverse Selection": this system seems to penalize students that plan on entering into high paying careers.

Plans like these are taking root in other countries, including Germany. Is it a viable option for students in the United States? Maybe.

For more information about human capital contracts, read this report by the Grand Forks Herald.

Sorry! I've been south of the border.

2008-12-02T11:03:00.006-06:00

Hi everyone. (If there's anyone still reading after my one-month hiatus.)

For the past few weeks, I've been in Mexico for "Festival Internacional del Globo." (International Hot Air Balloon Festival. And, while it was a lot of fun, it also means I was unable to write for my blog. I apologize if you've been checking for new material.

I promise, there will be new posts coming soon. But, in the meantime here are some pictures from the event. It was super cool--the event organizers were fantastic, the spectators were in awe, and it was an all-around awesome time.

Obama is President. What does that mean for college costs?

2008-11-05T07:48:00.002-06:00

This morning, we woke up to a new President-elect. Barack Obama.

Our new President has a lot of work ahead of him, and one major issue (the one I'm sure you're very concerned with) is paying for college. Recently, President-elect Obama sat down with Sway from MTV and talked about college costs and student loans. Below is the discussion. If you want to read the entire article, click here.

In the meantime, have a great day!

********************************************************************

If he's elected Tuesday, Senator Obama said he'd work to create new programs — and overhaul existing ones — to help students pay for their college education, which he said was vital not only for young people, but for the overall future of the economy.

"Look, this is something I can relate to," he said, answering a question from Joy0294 of San Antonio, Texas. "I went to college having to take out student loans. I went to law school having to take out loans. Michelle took out student loans. When we got married, I think together, our total loan payments every month [were] more than our mortgage when we bought a house, and that lasted for about 10 years."

Obama said that the average student applies for between $25,000 and $30,000 in student loans, and "that's a huge burden, especially at a time when wages and incomes aren't going up." Obama said he'd like to increase the Federal Pell Grant Program for starters, but also "eliminate banks as middle men from the Direct Loan Program; they're taking out billions of dollars in profits. I want to take that money, apply that to increasing the number of loans that are out there and reducing the rate. And then, what I want to do is provide a $4,000 tuition credit to every student every year, in exchange for national service."

The credit would be available to students who volunteered with the Peace Corps, worked in their communities in some fashion or joined the military. "We're going to make sure they can afford their college tuition," Obama said. "In certain areas, like teaching, where we really need teachers, especially in math and science and nursing, where we really need nurses, we will potentially provide them even more than that, to get the high-quality teachers and nurses we need."

Those who already started incurring student loan debts won't be left out in the cold, either. Senator Obama said he'd work to find ways to consolidate some student loans. But, he admitted, "there's only so much we're going to be able to do going backwards."

Answering a question from Seb88 of Buffalo, New York, he said that we need to "focus on going forward. There are a lot of students out there who have already paid off their loans, and they may not be happy with it. They wouldn't mind getting some of their money back too.

"By the way, this isn't just four-year colleges and universities," he continued. "My attitude is, if young people are going for two years at the community-college level, for some technical training of some sort, or if they are returning to school after having worked for a while, all that is part of creating a knowledge-based workforce that's going to be the key to our competitiveness long-term. We're looking at potentially being able to consolidate some of these loans, and, if they are part of a broader pool, we may be able to lower interest rates on the debt they already owe. But the key is, going forward, making sure young people will be able to afford to go to college."

Vote tomorrow!

2008-11-03T13:55:00.002-06:00

If you're 18 or older, vote tomorrow. It's that simple.

Compare the two major candidates and find out where you can vote:

www.barackobama.com

www.johnmccain.com

Check this website out!

2008-10-28T13:05:00.002-05:00

If you want to quickly compare the merit scholarships offered by various colleges, you need to check out this website: www.guaranteed-scholarships.com. Although this site is just a list, it can be a useful tool for comparison purposes.

It's important to know that most schools offer automatic scholarships based on academic performance and ACT or SAT scores. If you know what you need ahead of time, you can prepare and score accordingly. Higher grades or test scores almost guarantee more money. Take a look at this example:

Visit Hamline University's website HERE. You'll notice that a mere three point difference (25 to 28) ACT will earn you $2,000 more each year. That's $8,000 more over the course of four years. If you knew this before you took your ACT, wouldn't you try harder to get a higher score?

Take a look at guaranteed-scholarships.com. Find out what you need to do to get more money for college.

Have a great day!

Your College Scholarship To-Do List Part 3: Visit your academic advisors (high school website).

2008-10-21T14:14:00.003-05:00

When you're searching for scholarships, I know you might be tempted to visit Google first thing.

Totally understandable.

But, unless you want to be overwhelmed and confused, you’ll avoid that step for the time being. Instead, go to your high school website.

Most schools provide a list of local scholarships available for students (these scholarships are better than those you’ll find in large scholarship databases because they're local, so you'll have less competition. By applying here instead of online to national scholarships, you automatically increase your chances of success.)

Some schools list awards available by month. Others list all the scholarships are available for the entire year. If your school lists them by month, visit your counselor and request the entire list. This way, you can gather all the required materials early and save yourself stress later.

Typically, you’re going to have to click around a bit to find scholarships, but the pattern is usually something like this:

• Visit your high school’s homepage

• Click on Departments or Academic Departments

• Visit the Career Center or Academic Advisors Section

• See if there are any of the following categories, then explore: scholarships, grants, financial aid, paying for college, college planning.

If your high school does not have this web resource, visit your advisor or counselor directly, and ask them for their assistance. Most scholarship donors will notify schools about their requirements. Most counselors have this information.

I found many of the scholarships I won through my high school career center (website). Trust me, if I did it, you can too.

Happy hunting!

Your College Scholarship To-Do List Part 2: Create your [very specific] activity list.

2008-10-17T09:56:00.004-05:00

In my last post, I talked about the importance of writing an activity list before you start looking for scholarships. To read my previous post, see it here.

Today, I'm going to run you through the basics and help you brainstorm your own activity list. So, without further ado, here you go:

How to create an activity list:

1. Separate a sheet of paper into three sections, titled: Activity, Years Participated, Specific Achievements/Contributions.

2. List ALL the activities you’ve participated in, including those activities dating back to elementary school. Ask yourself these specific questions:

• What groups/activities/programs did I participate in when I was younger? In Junior High? In High School?

• Where have a traveled? Did I go with a group or on my own? What did I learn?

• What church or religious groups did I participate in?

• Where and when did I volunteer?

• Where have I worked?

• What do I like doing when I’m not in school?

• What are my hobbies?

• Have I or do I participate in school-sponsored athletic programs?

• Other types of athletic endeavors, not school-affiliated (things like ballet, snowboarding, etc.)

• What do I plan on majoring in? What activities relate to this?

• Have I participated in any clubs?

• Do I speak a foreign language?

• What leadership positions have I held?

• Do I spend a lot of time with my friends?

• Am I technically savvy?

• Have I been invited to join any academic groups like NHS?

• Have I been involved in student government?

• Mock trial?

• Did I go to boys or girls state?

• Have I had internships or have I job-shadowed?

• Does my family belong to a credit union?

• Am I involved in the military?

3. After you’ve answered the questions above, try to write down specific examples or stories you remember about your participation. By diving in depth into these areas, you’ll save yourself time later because you’ll have excellent essay writing material. In addition, look for a theme that can tie your activities together. If you notice one type of activity that keeps appearing, you might use that as your theme. If you don’t have a clear “winner,” you might consider rounding out one of your favorite activities to give it more priority. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, see my last post).

Over the course of your life you’ve participated in countless activities. It’s important to write them down (or try to remember them) because you never know which ones will lead you to scholarships.

If you’re still stuck, here’s a some examples of specific activities: boy scouts, girl scouts, YMCA, United Way, Red Cross, church groups, mission groups, boy/girl’s state, academic programs, language clubs, the places you’ve traveled, any press you received for any activity, awards of any kind, your hobbies (are you a stamp collector, video gamer, skateboarder, sewer or knitter?), outdoor sports (like skiing, snowboarding, surfing, camping, hiking, climbing, etc.), and school-sponsored sports are all examples of activities that could appear on your list.

Just remember, write down anything and everything you can think of. Don’t filter yourself because this is for your eyes only. Plus, the more you write down, the more places you’ll have to start looking for scholarships. Stay tuned for my next post, I'm going to help you find scholarships by putting your list to work.

In the meantime, happy list writing!

Your College Scholarship To-Do List Part 1: Why an activity list will help you win scholarships.

2008-10-16T10:49:00.004-05:00

When it comes to success, everyone knows what to do: develop a goal, devise a plan, and work hard. The formula is common sense. However, most people have trouble reaching their goals. Why?

In my opinion, we get caught up in the details, especially in the planning stage. We know we have to create a plan, but we spend hours deciding on the steps to take. We don’t know how to do something at some stage in the process so we put it off. We don’t know where to start, so we never start. We put off action by substituting it with planning. Unfortunately, when it comes to paying for college and winning scholarships, you don’t have time to plan: you need to take action.

Why?

If you don’t take action, you’ll miss opportunities. You’ll miss deadlines. You’ll lose money.

So, to help you take action (and help you win money for college) I’m providing you with the initial plan to jump start your scholarship search. These suggestions and information will come through many blog posts, so stay tuned. More importanty, ENJOY and USE THIS LIST. Take action now. You’ll thank me later.

Step 1, Part A: Make a [very specific] activity list.

Before you get ahead of yourself, I think it’s essential to get reflective first. You need to take stock of what you’ve done, what you find interesting, and what you want to do with your future. Once you create a list of all the various “things” that make up who you are, it becomes easier to identify what scholarships you qualify for, and helps you develop a search strategy. I’ll explain.

It’s important to create an activity list for three reasons:

1. Creating a very specific activity list will help you “know thyself.”

By listing your activities, you’ll know exactly which scholarships you qualify for and which ones you don’t. You will save time because you’ll only apply to awards that you can win. (Most people are tossed out of applicant piles because they don’t meet the requirements of the scholarship donors.)

2. You’ll create your own, specific scholarship search methodology.

When you know your interests (past, current, and future) and your activities (past, current, and future), you can run a very specific scholarship search that again saves you time and energy. Instead of visiting Google and typing in “scholarships,” you’ll be able to seek out specific organizations that give you awards for participation in their activities. For example, if you enjoy photography, you might search “photography + scholarships.” Or, you might find a national association of photography. Usually these organizations give scholarships. Simply Google “national photography association.” In your specific case, “national (your activity here) association.” By using this type of search, you will find more qualified scholarship opportunities.

3. By listing your activities, you can develop an application theme that helps you stand out to scholarship judges.

Most people, when they apply for awards, simply list all the activities they’ve ever participated in. Unfortunately, most applicants have similar activity lists: student counsel, NHS, sports, language clubs, and youth groups seem to appear on everyone’s application. If you list these same activities, how will you stand out? By creating a very specific activity list before you start applying for scholarships, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to study your list, go over your activities and see what ties them together. You can give yourself a leg up on your competition by developing a theme for your activity list.

Let’s revisit the photography example. Say you have a deep interest in photography, and participate in the “normal suspects” list of activities. Perhaps you can capitalize on your interest in photography by having it become your theme. You start taking photos of student counsel activities, you volunteer to take pictures of premature babies at the local hospital, you submit photos from your sports activities to the high school newspaper and yearbook. Thus, when it comes time to list your activities for a scholarship, all of the “normal” activities become highlighted and interconnected with your love of photography. You prioritize your activity list to emphasize your photography abilities (typically, activities are listed chronologically. Instead, with the “theme approach,” activities are prioritized. In our case, activities with photography are listed first, followed by others). The result? Instead of being “Joe or Jane Doe,” you become “Fred or Fanny the Photographer.” Your theme helps you stand out from other applicants.

Now that you understand how a specific activity list can help you, you need to create one. Stay tuned for my next post, I'll help you brainstorm and create an awesome activity list.

Great opening lines.

2008-10-08T14:10:00.000-05:00

Most scholarships require an essay. I know it stinks. The thought of writing is enough to get anyone a little antsy. But, it's the cold, hard truth.

The hardest part of writing is to actually do it. I know that when I'm about to write something, I procrastinate because I don't know what I want to say, I want the words to come out perfectly, or I don't know where to start. Fortunately, I've found something that might give you some inspiration.

Stanford recently published the first sentences from stand-out personal essays written by this year's freshman class. This list is enough to get your wheels turning about your own opening lines for your scholarship or college admissions essays while also giving you some motivation. (These examples will help you realize that you don't need big words, lofty thinking, or super extraordinary experiences to craft a compelling, attention-getting essay.)

Take a look here for the examples. Let me know what you think: do these sentences grab your attention? Can you write a better opening line? Do you now feel that you could get into Stanford?

Comment below when you get a chance. In the meantime, happy writing!

Missing in Action!

2008-10-06T13:55:00.002-05:00

Hi All!

First, I just want to say I'm sorry! I've been out of commission when it comes to posting blogs because I've been so busy in real life. But, I've been working on some really great stuff for you--all related to paying for college, so I hope you'll forgive me.

Second, I just want to get your questions. What is the hardest part about finding scholarships? Applying to scholarships? Winning scholarships?

What types of posts would be helpful to you? How do you manage college tuition? Do you want to hear more about how I saved money on college?

Basically, I want to hear from you because this blog is for you. If I'm not answering your questions or helping you, I'm wasting your time. So, comment to this post, or send me an email at info@collegeboundresource.com and let me know what you think!

Have a great day!

College loan forgiveness?

2008-09-24T09:06:00.002-05:00

If you've been keeping up on current events, you know there have been a lot of bail-outs lately. However, I'm not quite sure this is a good thing. I mean, what kind of example is Wall Street, the Government, and our leaders sending to the rest of us?

Contrary to the example our leaders have set, as college students, we have to be more wise with our money. How?

1. Take a serious look at our current situation. Evaluate.

How much money, exactly, do we need to save, borrow, and earn to pay for college? The amount we borrow should be considered extremely carefully, as we'll have to pay this back over the long haul. We should keep borrowing to a minimum, and spend our time working more in the summer, trying to find scholarships or grants, and cutting spending to save money and put the saved amount toward school.

2. Cut Spending.

You may never have cut a coupon in your life, but trust me, they're worth it! Look for deals on groceries, books, supplies, furniture before you jump in and buy. Also, cutting back on going out one or two nights a week is not going to kill you. Have a roommate cooking night or movie night, you might just like the bonding. (You'll for sure like the extra money you keep in your pocket.)

3. Develop a plan for the future.

Did you know that about 70% of college students and their parents borrow large sums of money for college without estimating their future earnings? It seems kind of ridiculous when you think about it. If you have tens of thousands of dollars in debt and you make only $30,000 a year, you're not going to pay that loan off any time soon (you have other expenses once you leave college, trust me). Before you take loans out on your future, consider the job you'll get once you graduate. How long, realistically, before you pay that loan off? If you want to be out of student debt in a certain amount of time, you need to plan ahead. Sometimes, that means you need to borrow less.

Now, you may already be in a situation where you've borrowed a ton of money and are regretting it. To you, I recommend you read this article: click here. This article explores the different programs and situations that help graduated students get out of debt. In some cases, loan forgiveness.

Remember, paying for college requires a strategy. I hope these three common sense tips get you started. Have a great day!

Check this out!

2008-09-18T15:51:00.003-05:00

If you're confused about the whole college admissions and financing game you're not alone. Fortunately, there are more resources than ever to help you along your college journey. And, although weeding through the books and websites can sometimes be overwhelming (there are a lot of sub-par sites out there), every once in a while a great resource will come along!

The U.S. Department of Education has recently launched a new site that helps students organize the college process. The cool thing is that this site features real-life students and their stories to inspire and motivate you in the process.

If you have questions about college, paying for college, applying for college, and finding the right school, I definitely recommend that you bookmark this site: www.college.gov.

Have a great day!

Oh, by the way: if you want another great resource, sign up for my weekly newsletter by visiting my site: www.collegeboundresource.com.

Sometimes getting a scholarship is a matter of luck.

2008-09-12T12:50:00.003-05:00

Listen to this! (Especially if you attend a public college in Wisconsin.)

600 low-income college students will be randomly selected to receive scholarships worth $3,500 per year.

In addition, 600 low-income two-year or technical college students will be randomly selected to receive scholarships worth $1,800 per year.

For more details, click here.

That's pretty cool.

If you attend school in Wisconsin, be sure to check your mailboxes!

Here's the thing. And this random scholarship lottery is an example: sometimes getting a scholarship is a matter of luck. Many awards function by private nominations, random drawings, and unexpected gifts. This "random" nature of scholarships should not deter you from actively seeking awards, however. (Yes, I know some of you would use this as an excuse to avoid applying entirely!)

The fact is, when you put yourself out there in front of numerous scholarship committees, people start recognizing you (especially once you're in college and apply for university scholarships). What happens is that committee members remember who you are and because your name is fresh in their brain they are more apt to nominate you or mention you when nomination-based scholarships come up.

So, rather than say "Geez, those kids in Wisconsin sure are lucky," go out and make your own luck.

Some people say that luck is the result of hard work meeting an opportunity.

Based on my own experience, I couldn't agree more.

My advice?

Work hard, apply to lots of scholarships, and appreciate yourself when you receive an "unexpected" award.

Have a great weekend!

New product: I am SO EXCITED!

2008-09-10T14:11:00.004-05:00

I believe that everyone who wants to go to college should be able to go. Right now, many people do not attend college because they can't afford it. Those that do go pile up debt in student loans and through consumer credit cards and leave college with a big financial hole to crawl out of.

I think this is a shame.

The biggest problem, I believe, is that researching, applying, and learning about your college options is overwhelming. There is simply too much information to sift through, and much of the valuable content is overlooked or not found. Plus, who wants to spend hours on end weaving through financial aid forms?

To help finance college, save you thousands of dollars, and relieve you of the time you need to spend researching this stuff, I've created a helpful starter-guide. In this 36-page e-book, I've compiled the top 12 college cost-saving strategies, all in one place.

Here's the Table of Contents:

Strategy 1: Choose Wisely.

• Students and parents will learn how to choose a school they’ll love

• The best online college matching services

• Why your school choice has little to do with your ultimate career success.

• How choosing the right school will save you money.

Strategy 2: Four Years or Less.

• Why the “recommended” amount of credits isn’t enough.

• How to get college credit, before you goto college

• How to avoid taking Freshman Composition (and save $900 in the meantime)

• Why good grades save you money.

Strategy 3: Compare Financial Aid Packages

• View sample financial aid packages from different colleges

• Learn about expected family contribution and why it’s important.

• Why knowing the difference between “Aid as Gift” and “Aid as Loan” is essential.

• Access to easy comparison tools.

Strategy 4: “Negotiate” Financial Aid Packages

• Explanation of the financial aid package appeal process.

• Types of appeals

• When to appeal and what you need to bring to ensure success.

Strategy 5: Find and Apply for College Scholarships

• Why scholarships are the ideal way to fund college

• Where to start searching for scholarships in “real-life.”

• How to start your online scholarship search

Strategy 6: Early Bird Catches the Worm

• Why you should apply early in the admissions process, but not necessarily early admission.

• Why you should send in your FAFSA as soon as you can after January 1st.

• How to maximize your FAFSA application to receive optimal aid.

Strategy 7: Get to Work, Save Money

• Why it’s important that college students work.

• Why future employers view working students more favorably.

• Where to find jobs appropriate for college students

• The top jobs for entrepreneurially-minded college students.

• When to start looking for summer employment

Strategy 8: Save on Extra Spending

• Why free t-shirts on campus aren’t a good thing.

• How to save on typical student entertainment costs.

• The best ways to save on textbooks (and how you can avoid buying them altogether without sacrificing your grades).

• Save money when you live off-campus

• 12 ways to go green and save money

Strategy 9: Good Grades=Good Deals

• Scholarships, grants, and deals available to top high school achievers.

• How good grades in college can pay off in unexpected big ways.

• The extra perks of earning good grades from free food to free electronics.

Strategy 10: Securing a Loan

• What you should know before you take on a loan.

• Where to compare loan rates and information

• A list of INTEREST-FREE loans. (No, I’m not kidding.)

• How to use loans wisely.

Strategy 11 and 11.5: College Pre-Pay and Deferred Payment

• What’s a 529-plan?

• 529-plan pros and cons.

• Pre-paid credits vs. savings and investment plans

• Options for those of you with unreliable cash-flow.

Strategy 12: Tuition Registries

• How to use social-networking to fund your tuition.

• Tips to increase the odds people will invest in you.

• Micro-sponsorships vs. micro-loans.

Plus! 5-page Internet Resource Guide
This five-page list of websites is the result of countless hours researching, reading, and surfing the internet for the best information on everything related to saving money on college and paying tuition. The perfect starting place for those of you new to the college funding process.

I hope that this guide will help you pay for college and save thousands of dollars. If your dream is to go to college, make memories, and leave without a load of debt, I would be honored to help your dream come true.

Visit my newly-updated website: www.collegeboundresource.com.

Have a great week!

How to pick the right college. (And save money.)

2008-09-08T14:45:00.005-05:00

What does picking the right college have to do with saving money? A lot, it seems.

Think about it. Let's say that you end up hating your college choice. You decide to transfer to the new college of your dreams. Realistically, you can expect to lose some of the credits you've already earned in the transfer, and have new graduation requirements at your new school that can lengthen your college stay. Both of these probabilities will cost you money.

The easy answer?

Pick the right college to begin with and you'll save money.

To help you with this process (because I know it's a big decision), I've come up with some common criteria that you should consider before you make a choice:

1. Size:

Would you feel comfortable at a small campus (Less than 5,000 students), a medium-sized (5-15,000), or large campus (15,000+)? Obviously, life on a large campus is extremely different than life with only 2,000 other students. For a good comparison, read this article on The College Board: Big vs. Small College.

2. Location:

Do you like warm weather and hate the winter? Prefer an urban over country lifestyle? What kind of scenery do you like? While this may seem superficial (don’t we go to college for our education?!?), the ambiance is important: if you don’t feel comfortable where you live, you’re going to have a hard time concentrating on school. Pick a college in an area you like.

3. Interests:

Most of your college learning will take place outside the classroom. That being said, it’s important that your college offer a set of extra-curricular activities that meet your needs and interests. Be sure to research each campus, and match your interests accordingly.

4. Instructors:

If you’re ahead of the curve and have a major (good job!), you might want to attend a campus with professors who’ve made significant contributions to your field of study.

5. Recognition:

Perhaps you want to attend a school that has “name brand recognition.” I recommend checking out the U.S. News and World Report’s College Ranking Guide. Sure, the rankings are subjective. But, it’s a place to start.

6. Culture:

You may be seeking a college that has a certain cultural or religious affiliation. Perhaps you want to attend an all-women or all-men campus. These desires are important to keep in mind. As yourself what kind of campus culture or affiliation you want, and pick accordingly.

7. Cost:

While I don’t believe that cost of attendance should be the deciding factor, it is something to consider when making a decision. Before you decide, consider the cost of attending and the cost of living in the city where your potential college is located.

If you're still confused about picking a college, consider using an online college matching service like My U Search or Xap. These online matching services will do the hard work for you, by matching colleges to your interests.

The most important thing about college is that you feel comfortable at your school. When you feel comfortable on campus, you'll learn more, experience more, and most likely stay where you started. The result? A lot of money in your pocket.

Save money on college: 8 ways by SayCampusLife

2008-09-05T12:16:00.004-05:00

It's no surprise that paying for college can be stressful, and confusing. Thankfully, the folks over at SayCampusLife put together a list of 8 Ways to Pay for Your College Education. I recommend you take a look here!

How's everyone's school year going so far? What are the challenges you're facing? Let me know by commenting, and I'll try to answer your questions in an upcoming blog. Have a great weekend!

College Freshmen!!! Save Money.

2008-09-03T10:15:00.003-05:00

Alright, you've probably just moved your stuff into your new dorm room, waved your parents goodbye, and started meeting a bunch of new people. Your new-found freedom is no excuse to start spending loads of money.

As a college freshman, you are especially appealing to credit card companies on campus, high book prices, and other not-so-great offers that seem good at first (who doesn't want a free t-shirt), but end up costing you money in the long run.

To save yourself thousands, read this list of the Top 10 Ways to Save Money Your Freshman Year of College. Trust me, you can still have tons of fun at school this year (and save a bunch of money in the process).

Now, the only thing you'll have to worry about is your messy roommate.

Why are textbooks so expensive?

2008-08-27T09:47:00.003-05:00

I've had many posts on finding cheaper textbooks. If you're interested, click here.

If you want to compare all the major online bookstores at once to find the best deals, try bigwords.com. (Cool.)

However, if you've ever asked yourself why college textbooks are so expensive in the first place, click here to watch a report by WCCO in the Twin Cities.

Have a great day!

Scholarships are better than private loans.

2008-08-26T12:53:00.002-05:00

There's been a lot of buzz lately about the decrease in private loans available to college students this fall. I understand: it's stressful. If you need information about what to do if you're in a crunch (your private loan amount is decreasing) please read this article. It gives tips on what you can do to make up the difference this semester.

I want to put my two cents in on this issue, however. I feel like private loans should always be the last option: after you pursue scholarships. It's a no-brainer that scholarships are better than loans (scholarships don't have to be paid back), but not a lot of people pursue them as diligently as they could--costing themselves money and stress in the long run.

If you want to jump-start your scholarship search process, check out my previous posts on the subject here.

Also, I want to hear your opinion on this subject: are you having trouble finding scholarships? What are your biggest scholarship search hurdles? Let me know, and I will help you navigate the process through this blog.

Cheap textbooks online.

2008-08-25T13:24:00.003-05:00

I admit it. Today, I'm trolling the internet. But, I've found a "ranking" of the best online textbook sites which is good news for you!

Want to find cheap textbooks? Want to rent instead of buy this semester? Check out Campus Grotto's report about online textbook retailers: click here.

Speaking of wine...

2008-08-25T12:51:00.004-05:00

Alright, I am continually amazed by the scholarships available...

If you saw my last post, you know that I was a wine scorer at the MN State Fair. Just today, I found a scholarship foundation for those of you interested in pursuing wine studies. That's right! If you're a viticulture or enology student, pursuing research in this area, you need to check this out. See the press release here.

The scholarship(s) for this year have already been awarded, but now you can prepare for next year.

This scholarship is awarded by the American Vineyard Foundation.

The State Fair and scholarship judges.

2008-08-22T10:31:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I went to "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." The State Fair. Food stands, music, people, exhibits. In all, it was quite the experience.

I had the privilege of tallying the scores from the wine tasting contest. Seeing the different numbers, and comments, was interesting. It turns out, these wine judges are a lot like scholarship judges. And, to help you improve your scholarship applications, I want to let you in on some of the "judging insights" I gleaned while tallying up those wine scores.

1. Each judge has a different way of scoring.

Yesterday, the scores for wines varied. A lot. One wine, for instance, had a score of 24 (very low) and 92 (almost perfect). Looking back over the scores within the two judges showed me that the low and high scores were trends: one judge was a high scorer, while the other was a lower scorer. In addition, the lower-scoring judge was more critical on all fronts (you could tell by his/her comments).

When you apply for a scholarship, keep in mind that no two judges will score your application the same way. However, when you're applying, you want to keep the most critical judge in mind: what will that person find fault with? How can you improve your application to meet that judges needs? When you keep the low-scoring judge in mind, you will almost always score high on their tally while also ensuring higher scores from the more "lenient" judges.

2. Each judge has a favorite "blend."

A variety of wines entered the contest for state's best. For instance, there was an "interesting" mushroom wine, a fruity mango concoction, tried and true wines like Chardonnay and Merlot. There was even a wine made from jalapeno peppers--spicy! Here's the deal: some judges were purists, some were experimental. Judges who were fans of "normal" wines loved those varieties, and turned up their noses at wines that stepped outside the box. More adventurous judges favored the more original blends. However, the wines that earned the highest scores across the board were strong--those wines could be defined, and not confused with any other.

Remember, you can't please anyone (and you shouldn't try). However, you can be the best YOU possible. By doing so, you'll stand out from other applicants. There will be no doubt as to who you are. Also, when you have a strong application that clearly defines your interests and personality, you'll please the judges that are already in your corner. Most likely you'll gain the respect of the other judges as well.

3. Know your categories.

Each wine entered into a category it was to be judged in. For instance, there were sparkling wines, red wines, white wines, desert wines, and so on. The goal was to be the best in category, and then best overall. However, some wines were disqualified because they didn't meet the requirements of the category they entered in.

As with wine categories, scholarships have strict application requirements. If you don't meet the requirements, you will automatically be disqualified. You can prevent disqualification by knowing yourself, your interests, and your past and future activities very well. When you're armed with this knowledge, you will save yourself time (you won't apply for scholarships that you don't meet the requirements), while increasing the odds you win money (you'll be applying for scholarships that you meet very specific requirements).

All in all, scholarship judges and wine judges are not the same. However, you can glean information about the judging process, and I hope I've given you some insight into the process of judging in general. Have a great weekend!

Should parents pay for college?

2008-08-15T08:40:00.002-05:00

I write this blog for both parents and students, but I realize that I haven't had many parent-focused posts lately. So, today I attempt to answer one of the most common questions I get as a scholarship advisor from parents: do I have to pay for my child's tuition? Is it a parental obligation?

The bad news is, the answer to this question varies depending on each family. The good news is, it's always your choice.

When I was applying for college, I knew that my parents were unable to contribute financially toward the price of my tuition. At the time, it was upsetting, especially when I looked around and many of my peers were not worried about paying for college at all because their parents were helping them out. I got over it, and now I'm happy that I funded my education on my own.

When it comes down to it, some parents are able to help pay for college (or pay entirely) and some aren’t. Funding college is a personal, family decision and you should feel no guilt either way. There are some things, however, that all parents can do to instill some financial saavy into their college bound students.

1. If you are funding your child’s tuition, don’t let them take it for granted. If your kids have a sense of entitlement (you know what I mean), it might be good to wake them up a bit, make them pay for a semester or two so they learn about the real world. They will appreciate your contributions when you do make them. Another option is having your child be responsible for their books or their rent. Forcing them to fend for themselves a bit will help them grow, and through the process they will gain pride, confidence, and responsibility.

2. Teach your child about finances before they leave for college. Campuses are marketing headquarters for credit card companies and private loan officers. Make sure that your child knows about compound interest and credit card debt. Make sure they research alternative methods of paying for college (scholarships and interest-free loans for instance).

3. According to a poll of human resource representatives, students that pay for their own college are viewed as “more mature and adult-like.” It turns out that the skills learned by having to pay for college are more lasting, and helpful on the job front, than those learned in the classroom. The lesson? If you are paying for part or all of your child’s education, DO NOT let them off the hook about looking for scholarships, getting a summer job, or finding an internship! Your paying does not give them an excuse to be lazy. To keep them competitive when they graduate, they should have some outside the classroom work experience.

When it comes down to it, we all want the best for our children. Whether you are able to pay for college or not, you can be sure to educate your student about finance and money—ensuring they will value their education and not take it (or you) for granted.

Did you take AP courses? New MN scholarship just for you.

2008-08-13T13:12:00.002-05:00

You might be getting ready to head of to your first semester of college. You might be buying furniture for your dorm room, talking to your new roommate, and stocking up on notebooks and pens. What ever your situation, you probably wouldn't mind some extra cash in your pocket.

Good news! If you graduated from a Minnesota High School after January 1, 2008, and took AP classes, you might be eligible for a $1200 scholarship!

Students attending college in the state of Minnesota are encouraged to apply. Hurry up! Applications are due within one month from the start of the fall term.

Check out the details: click here.

Dumpster diving.

2008-08-12T12:45:00.006-05:00

Now, I have never personally dug in the garbage for goods, but I'm not against it (as long as you wash your hands after). I thought it was an interesting (if not entertaining) concept. If you want some tips about how to find the good stuff, read the following article from Amanda's blog Me Vs. Debt:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Memories: Dumpster Diving

Dumpster diving? It sounds much worse than it is. Some of my best friends in college were close to being classified as 'Freegans'. They liked living under the radar and outside of the influence of capitalism. Lets admit it, most people are wasteful. Why shouldn't there be a subculture that thrives on the waste of others?

On the way home from a late night at the library my roommate asked me to stop at Zingermann's. But they're closed at 2am, aren't they? Yeah, exactly the point. We parked the car and went around to the back. We grabbed two large, tied bags of bread from the dumpster and carried them over our shoulders - the bakery equivalent to Santa Claus. Feeling in the spirit, we crept into the co-op homes of few friends and left several loafs for them to find in the morning. We stopped at a park near our apartment to share some bread with the homeless folks that stayed there. By the time we got home we still had too much bread for two people. We stuffed the freezer full and immediately started slicing up some bread to go with soup. Maybe you think that sounds ridiculous, but the bags were tied. The bread was only a day old. I ate the bread out of the freezer for at least a month. It was good enough.

Another friend asked me for a ride up to Trader Joe's late one night. Those dumpsters are virtually a gold mine of perfectly good 'expired' produce, baked goods, can goods, and even bottled wine. Thats right wine. We recovered two cases of Charles Shaw Merlot from certain doom. Not only did we get free food and spirits, but we made sure to recycle the bottles. Good for the budget and the environment! Even during my dumpster diving experiences I remain modestly reserved. I didn't like to dig -- I'd usually just go for sealed goods up at the top.

Some more pointers came from a traveler I cross paths with. Check the dumpsters of Little Caesars just after closing time - free Hot N Readys are right on top. Or maybe the dumpster of McDonalds as the menu changes to get left over breakfast sandwiches and hash browns. These things might be a little extreme (and unhealthy if you're going to McDonalds, yuck) but they aren't unreasonable. Especially if you're low on cash.

I think about going back to Trader Joe's sometimes. I'm all for reducing waste and saving money, but I'd hate to take the goods from other divers that might need them more. What do you think?

An afterthought:

Dumpster diving for food may be an extreme measure of frugality. We're all probably familiar with those trash hunters that find goods such as furniture and electronics by the side of the road. Whats wrong with that? I still live in a college town. The things you find by the side of the road here may actually be in better shape than what you have in your house. There are people that actually make a business out of collecting student trash in the spring then selling it back to them in yard sale form the next fall. Right on. I personally have more respect for the trash collectors than those that leave the goods by the wayside. Come on... at least donate it! There are at least 6 second hand stores in a 1 mile radius from campus. And at the very least, if you don't have a will or a way, please list your items on Craigslist under Free so that we can take them for you!

------------------------------------------

If you like Amanda's post, here's the link: click here.

Avoid college credit card debt.

2008-08-11T17:32:00.002-05:00

As the cost of college continues to rise and private loan options cut-back, more students are paying their tuition bills with credit cards. The result? Average students will leave college with $2,600 in credit card debt. Like you don't have other things to worry about after graduating: like getting a job.

Putting your tuition on a credit card is the worst thing you can do.

When you rack up consumer debt on top of your student loans, you're just asking for trouble, and hurting yourself in the long run.

Paying for college requires a bit of foresight and some planning, but you can find alternative ways of paying for school--without racking up debt. Pursue scholarships early, ask for micro-loans from friends and family, be creative. If you want more information about how to save money in college, check out my ebook: The College Cash Course: 12 Ways to Start Paying for College Now.

For more information about credit cards and tuition, click here.

MEFA money shortage: how does it affect you?

2008-08-07T11:41:00.003-05:00

Quick tips on scholarship essay writing.

2008-08-04T16:03:00.002-05:00

It might not be the easiest part of your scholarship application, but the essay portion is definitely the most important part. To help you write a killer essay, be sure to follow these quick tips:

1. Understand the question.

If you don't understand the question, you can't write a good response. If you need help understanding the subject or the question being asked, go over it with a friend or family member. Once you know what you need to write about, answer all parts of the question completely.

2. Be succinct.

Nothing ruins an essay like being long-winded. Sometimes, we get carried away using big words or lofty descriptions trying to impress scholarship judges. This can be distracting and is unnecessary. To be blunt, don't use ten words when two will do. Clear, simple prose is the best way to make an impact.

3. Focus.

Don't get carried away by taking detours from your main point or theme. Keep you attention on the question being asked and only supply information relevant to the question. It's important to keep your essay organized and on point by using specific examples. Avoid using cliches(for example: bent out of shape, bite the dust, art imitates life, etc.) and writing that lacks specificity.

4. Be Personal.

The essay is your chance to express yourself as an individual and to introduce yourself to the selection committee. Instead of telling the judges what you've done by rehashing your activity list, reveal another layer of who you are. Use examples, experiences, and stories that highlight your personal characteristics. Especially those characteristics the scholarship organization emphasizes.

5. Develop Ideas.

Utilize quotes, examples, and specific facts to develop your main ideas. Ideas are readily accepted when evidence is provided. Don't make statements that can be questioned without offering the proof. For example, instead of saying "I volunteer," describe the experience: "Seeing the joy in the kids' faces made me smile--I saw that I helped them, that I made a difference. I gave them a high five, we shared some sour patch kids, and I wondered how I ever could have dreaded waking up early on Saturday mornings."

Anyone can write an essay. With these tips, you can write an essay that shines, separates you from your competition, and helps you win free money for college. Happy writing!

Companies enticing potential engineers with scholarships.

2008-07-30T14:39:00.002-05:00

If you're undecided about what major you're going to choose, you might consider taking up engineering. You'll enter a hot job market after you graduate, and you might just get some help while you're in school.

Right now, engineers are a hot commodity. There are not enough graduating to fill the number of positions available. To meet their need, companies are rolling out the red carpet and trying to woo potential engineering students with scholarship opportunities, company days, and more internship opportunities.

If you want to increase the odds you land a job after college (or get a scholarship), be sure to take advantage of the internship opportunities and get to know the folks at companies you like. Then, you will not only have a degree (that might be paid for), you will also have logged years of experience that can separate you from other applicants for a competitive position. Even better? Your experience just might secure a higher paying position.

For more information about this trend, read this article. Have a great day!

New product coming soon!

2008-07-29T14:09:00.006-05:00

I'm so excited! As soon as the whole shopping cart-thing gets working, I'll be able to provide The College Cash-Course online as an e-book to you! In this little (but powerful) 35-page handbook, you'll learn:

-Where to go for interest-free loans,

-If 529-plans will work for you,

-How to "negotiate" financial aid packages,

-Why searching for scholarships will save you headaches in the long run,

-How to reduce spending in college while still having a life,

-How to secure a loan that works for you

-How to get your friends, family, and perfect strangers to pay for college so you don't have to,

-and much, much more!

I only wish that I had this handbook before I entered college (trust me, it would have saved me a lot of stress). Keep posted on this blog, or subscribe to my weekly ezine for the latest information--you'll be the first to know when the product comes available!

And the best college rankings go to...

2008-07-29T10:18:00.002-05:00

Lists are everywhere. They help us rank, prioritize, measure, and compare. If you like lists and you happen to be comparing potential colleges, you're in luck: there's a new list for you. The Princeton Review has just posted its most recent rankings of the top colleges in the U.S. The best part? They've ranked more than just academics.

Want to attend an eco-friendly campus? Try Arizona State University at Tempe.

Want to avoid a party school? (Or goto one?) University of Florida takes top honors.

Which school has the happiest students? The award goes to Clemson University.

Whatever the set of criteria you use to pick out your school, The Princeton Review has ranked it. For more information, click here. Now, the only problem is choosing your best match.

When to look for scholarships.

2008-07-25T12:51:00.002-05:00

I am often asked: when is the best time to look for scholarships? The simple answer: it's ALWAYS a good time to search for scholarships.

Here's why:

1. Scholarship application dates are due at all times during the year. Sure, we see an elevation in due dates around January and February, but awards are available all the time. I know you don't want to miss out on the other 10 months of opportunity.

2. If you've found a scholarship that you would be perfect for, but have missed the deadline, you have an opportunity. That's right, an opportunity. You can plan ahead by putting the date on the calendar, bulk up your resume and experiences, and apply when the award comes due again. Believe me, you'll have a leg up with all your advance prep-work.

3. Scholarships are available to people of all ages. You might think that your chances are over because you've graduated from high school, or haven't even entered junior high. The fact is, there are many scholarships available to students at Junior High level, for graduate students, and for adults returning to school. There is no "right" age to be searching and applying for awards.

4. You'll be amazed and motivated by what you find. Most likely, you spend time surfing the web already. Take a while and search around for scholarships. It's very motivating that people can go to college on scholarships they've won for creating a duct-tape prom dress or for writing a cool blog.

If you want to pay for college using scholarships, the best time to start looking for free money is NOW. So get going.

Photography and video scholarships to undergrads and grad students.

2008-07-24T07:36:00.002-05:00

If you are interested in the visual arts--photography and video--there is a scholarship just for you. MyArtSpace.com has just announced they will be offering six scholarships to both undergraduates and graduate students (three to each).

First place: $5,000. Second: $2,000. Third: $1,000.

If you're interested, visit www.myartspace.com/scholarships for more details.

Desire will win scholarships.

2008-07-22T10:07:00.003-05:00

I'm on a diet. No, I guess you can call it a "lifestyle change." I need to lose some weight pretty quick because I'm going to be a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding and I don't want to be the one that ruins the pictures. Those strapless dresses are brutal.

You're probably wondering what this has to do with scholarships.

Losing weight is hard: it takes dedication to sweat off those pounds, discipline to eat the right things, and a strong desire to lose weight that keeps you from quitting. It's also hard because you don't see the results right away. In fact, sometimes it looks as if the scale hasn't moved and you feel like all that effort was pointless. Scholarships work the same way.

To win scholarships, you need dedication to search and find awards that you qualify for. You need a whole lot of discipline to take the time and apply to the scholarships you've found. And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, you need a strong desire to win awards and pay for college that will keep you from quitting.

Students who win a lot of scholarship money have a strong desire to pay for college without spending money out of their own pocket. If you want to win awards, you need to cultivate this desire within yourself. Trust me, you'll need it. Desire will keep you going even when you get rejection letters. (And you will; everyone does.) The difference between those who end up winning many scholarships and those who don't is the fact that they keep on applying even when they face the rejection-letter setback. Their desire carries them through and motivates them to keep applying. Desire is the fuel that rockets your scholarship search and application process forward, and to win awards you need to have it.

Please stay tuned for an upcoming post as a follow-up. I want to give you some ways that you can conjure up a feeling of desire within yourself and become highly motivated to pay for college using scholarships. Until then, happy hunting!

Here's how you write a college essay.

2008-07-17T13:12:00.004-05:00

This July, The New York Times Magazine published an essay titled "What's the Matter With College," and invited college students to write an essay in response to the article. Boy did they write. 600 students responded.

The point is, I'm always being asked for examples of great essays. In addition, most students want to know the elements of a great essay so they can write one themselves. In my opinion, there are many ways to write a winning essay. When it comes down to it, the best essays elicit emotional responses from their readers. The winning New York Times Magazine Contest essays are great examples of writers generating emotion.

If you are having trouble writing an essay, I highly recommend you read the winning essays from this contest: Click Here. You'll be inspired, and write an award-winning essay yourself!

Play cribbage for college scholarships.

2008-07-16T14:43:00.004-05:00

Ok, I stink at cribbage. But that doesn't mean you do. Or your kids. Or your friends. If you're good at Cribbage (or know someone who is), I think you should check out The Granite City Junior Classic Tournament in St. Cloud, MN. First place wins $500, runner-up gets $250. For more information on this event, click here.

Before I continue, I need to have an I-told-you-so moment (am I not always telling you there are scholarships for everything!?!) Never underestimate any of your skills or activities, they might just be what gets you a scholarship!

Ok, I've regained my composure. If you don't live in Minnesota, or just can't make this tournament, don't fret. There are other tournaments around the country. If you want more information about a Cribbage tournament in your area, just visit www.cribbage.org.

Good Luck!

$10,000 scholarship for blogging!

2008-07-14T13:02:00.004-05:00

If you love posting on your blog (and annoy your roommate because you're always online), this scholarship is for you.

CollegeScholarships.org has an annual scholarship for college bloggers. The winner takes away $10,000 to be used for college and its related expenses. Runners up win $1,000.

To enter, you need to write a 300 word essay. A submission form will be posted when the third annual event gets underway. For more information, click here. Happy blogging!

Cash-flow problems? Try deferred payment.

2008-07-11T15:13:00.002-05:00

Although not technically a way to save money on college, a deferred payment or financing plan can alleviate the stress of paying a lump sum tuition payment each semester. I thought you should know that at some colleges, you have this option.

Some colleges offer financing options that allow you to pay tuition on a monthly or bimonthly basis. There are also many schools that offer deferred payment plans. Talk to your financial aid office and see if your college has these payment options. They are perfect if you have unreliable cash flow, you're having school credits paid for by an employer, or you cannot qualify for need-based financial aid.

Quick and easy scholarships.

2008-07-09T14:16:00.003-05:00

Applying for a scholarship does not have to be hard. If you're strapped for time, check out Scholarshippoints.com. At this site, you earn points by reading content, logging in, and taking surveys. The points you earn convert into entries for monthly scholarship drawings. Sounds easy enough to me. I would like to hear what you think, so if you try it let me know how you like it. Have a great day!

The truth about athletic scholarships.

2008-07-07T09:54:00.003-05:00

Many parents and students get excited about athletic scholarships: they seem like a sure bet, especially for talented athletes. In addition, many families spend thousands of dollars each year on private lessons, team fees, and athletic equipment in the hope that someday it will all pay off. However, getting a full-ride scholarship as an athlete is not as easy as it looks. The fact is there's a limited amount of funding available for collegiate sports teams, and you need to be realistic about your chances for earning athletic scholarships to pay for college.

Read this article for a very good break-down of athletic scholarships and how they are awarded.

To increase your chances of earning some sort of scholarship for college, it's important to work on gaining academic scholarships in addition to any awards you might receive for athletics. There's 30 times more college money available for academic scholarships than athletic scholarships, so if you hone both your brain and body muscles, you'll be a lot better off money-wise.

YouTube=Scholarship Search Engine?

2008-07-02T13:00:00.004-05:00

Looking for scholarships via the popular search engines like Fastweb and Scholarships.com is great, but there is another way you might want to consider. The best part? You probably spend time at this site already.

YouTube is fast becoming a place to find and apply for scholarships. For example, take a look at the video for a recent competition below:

If you want to benefit from YouTube scholarships, make sure you check the site often for ongoing opportunities. Each donor has different application times and due dates, so it's important to search for awards throughout the year (it is wrong to assume that scholarships are a one-time a year deal).

Also, remember that a lot of times your scholarship committee is actually other YouTube viewers. You need to motivate people to vote or comment positively on your video. The best way to do this? Make sure your video is of high quality, has good audio, and is interesting. Make sure you have a solid concept and write out a general plan of action before you start shooting (trust me, this helps to stay on track and ensures your message comes across).

Now, it might be tempting to spend a lot of time on YouTube (I hate to admit it, but it's so addicting!), but it is best to use this medium to support, rather than dominate, your scholarship search efforts. The bottom line? It can't hurt to take a peak and see what opportunities you'll find in videoland. Happy hunting!

New product!

2008-07-02T12:41:00.002-05:00

I am so excited and stressed all at the same time. I am working hard on bringing you the best products that will help you with the scholarship application process, and I am close to making them available for immediate download so you can benefit from them immediately!

Right now, I'm compiling the 12 best ways to save money on and pay for college without breaking the bank. I'm looking for a great title, so if you have any suggestions, contact me via www.collegeboundresource.com. This little package will include:

Tips on appealing your financial aid package
Where to start your scholarship search and why online isn't the best place.
How to separate yourself from other applicants and save big in the process--why it's a lot easier than you might think.
Where to get loans that don't charge interest
And more!

Trust me, I wish I had this "starter package" when I was getting ready to head off to college, but now you don't need to worry like I did! Keep an eye out on my website for this product in the next couple of weeks. If you want, you can sign up for my e-zine and be notified the moment this product becomes available!

Want scholarships? Prove it.

2008-06-30T13:14:00.002-05:00

It is easy to be lured into false hope of paying for college using only scholarships. Many search engines advertise how easy it is, companies looking to make some sort of profit announce "there are thousands of unclaimed awards every year," and here I am telling you it is possible to get scholarships to pay for college. What gives?

The fact is, it is possible to get scholarships for college. The catch is that you have to work for them and prove to scholarship committees that you are a good investment.

The reason why most people do not get scholarships is because they don't put the work in ahead of time. When the time for scholarships rolls around, they don't have the grades, qualifications, extracurricular activities or community involvement to meet the application requirements.

If you really want to win awards, you have to plan ahead and work toward meeting the scholarship criteria and expectations of the award committees. Here's what you do:

1. Start searching for awards before you need them.

If you search and find scholarships ahead of time, you can look ahead and see what you need to do to make the cut.

2. Participate in experiences that will bolster your credentials.

Some awards have a specific number of community service hours required to apply, for instance. Knowing this ahead of time will allow you to accumulate these hours over the long run--which looks a lot better than trying to cram a bunch in before the deadline.

3. Get personal.

If you know that you will need recommendation writers in advance, start thinking about who knows you best, or who needs to know you better. The recommendation letter is a huge portion of the scholarship application. The more authentic, specific, and personal, the better.

The bottom line is that with a little foresight, planning, and execution, you can prime yourself to be an excellent scholarship candidate. Remember, committees are looking for someone to invest in. If you invest in yourself well before the scholarship due dates, you will be far ahead of your classmates, and a lot closer to paying for college with scholarships.

Want to give college a test-run for free?

2008-06-24T13:30:00.002-05:00

If you're not quite sure you're ready for college, but want to give it a test-run, there is a new scholarship for you. University College at Rockland announced that they will be awarding a scholarship for students who want to try a college class this coming fall semester.

Officials feel that this taste of college can often be the deciding factor of whether or not a student decides to pursue a college degree, without a long term commitment.

From what I can see, this type of scholarship is only available through University College at Rockland. Applicants must be graduates of high schools in Maine. However, if you are interested in "trying out" a college course, call the College or University of your choice and ask if they have a similar opportunity available.

To read more about this "try it out" scholarship, read here.

Can anyone win college scholarships?

2008-06-23T14:46:00.003-05:00

The short answer? Nope. I know this might be hard to hear, but there are certain characteristics that make up scholarship winners. Some people haven't developed these skills.

The long answer? With the right mentality, work-ethic, and planning scholarships are within anyone's reach.

Here are six characteristics of scholarship winners. If you want to win awards, start by developing these skills:

1. Creativity.

Most scholarship winners are creative thinkers. Now, this doesn't mean that you have to be the next Mozart, but you have to be able to think outside the box. You look for scholarships off the beaten path, thus increasing the odds you win because there are less people to compete with.

2. Work Ethic.

There is no quick fix when it comes to paying for college. If a deal seems to good to be true, it is. Scholarship winners know that it takes some work to search for, find, apply, and then win scholarships. If it sounds like to much work for you, you're not going to win a dime.

3. Planning.

Scholarship winners plan ahead. They know that if they start looking for awards early, they can develop a plan of attack. Based on the scholarships they've found, they develop the skills required for these awards, earn the grades necessary to qualify, or join clubs related to their interests.

4. Interpersonal Skills.

Applying for scholarships is more than an individual effort. Most require recommendations of some sort, and scholarship winners know that their relationship skills directly impact the quality of those recommendations. Developing genuinely good relationships with your teachers, coaches, friend's parents, and community leaders will help set you apart from other applicants through the stellar recommendations you'll get.

5. Leadership.

Now, this is cliche, I know. However, being a leader is more than being the captain of your sport's team. It's an attitude toward living. Most scholarship winners are self-starters that motivate themselves and in so doing motivate others. When you develop or possess this quality, it is evident in your essay or interview and manifests itself as confidence. When you inspire confidence in scholarship committees, they feel confident giving you money for college.

6. Resiliency.

Most scholarship winners apply to many awards with no luck. They receive numerous rejection letters. However, the people that win scholarships are the ones that keep trying and are resilient in their efforts: they don't give up.

Notice, none of the traits of scholarship winners include straight A's, awesome athlete, or musical genius. Why? Because these things just aren't necessary to win awards. In fact, academic achievement, athletic ability, or musical skill are often the result of the characteristics listed above. The fact is, you (or anyone) can win awards if you spend time cultivating the skills I just listed. It worked for me.

Paying for college issue for presidential candidates.

2008-06-20T12:03:00.002-05:00

If you are watching the candidates for this year's presidential election, pay close attention to their views regarding higher education--it directly effects you! I don't care who you're voting for (you need to choose who you think is best), but it is important you get involved with the process and make your voices heard in November.

Here is an article I found today regarding the candidates: article here.

McCain's educational plan here.

Obama's educational plan here.

Please take the time to compare and consider each plan--it's your future!

No summer job? Some ideas.

2008-06-16T11:32:00.006-05:00

With the downturn in the economy, you might be having a tough time finding a summer job. Don't look at it as a total loss--see your open summer as an opportunity. A time to volunteer, participate in activities that will enhance or round out your activity list, make a job or business of your own, or search for scholarships. Read THIS ARTICLE for more information, you might just get some great ideas.

Scholarships for everyone!

2008-06-12T10:41:00.002-05:00

As I was surfing the web, I came across an article that asked an interesting ethical question: should merit scholarships or financial aid be awarded to those who don't need the money? For the article and the question, read here.

In my opinion, there are plenty of scholarships to go around. Truly. The sad thing is that most people don't know about them or apply for them (two problems I try to help people with). So, here is a list of all the types of scholarships available to people from all walks of life. Please note, this is by no means exhaustive so if you have additions, please let me know.

1. Financial Need. With these scholarships, the need of the applicant is the number one criteria for awarding gifts. An applicant might come from a disadvantaged background or area, or family of a certain income level. Usually, the applicant is required to meet certain academic criteria in order to qualify.

2. Merit-based. If you have good grades, excelled at the ACT's or SAT's, belong to Mensa or are in some other way academically gifted, you have a good shot at these awards. Financial need is a non-issue.

3. Athletic scholarships. If you are a star athlete, check to see if your potential college will offer you some awards for your athletic prowess. Also, check with your guidance counselor or in your career center--many times, you will find that a former student, former coach, or community member has set up awards for students that have participated in certain sports.

4. Music scholarships. Do you play an instrument? Sing in the choir? Have your own band? Check out awards for musically gifted students, there are a lot of them. You will most likely have to audition as part of your scholarship application.

5. Art/Drama awards. If you are planning on becoming an art major, research this area. Many times local art groups will offer scholarships to students as well as college departments and high schools. Sometimes, you will have to submit an art piece to compete.

6. Community awards. Do you volunteer? Have you been a girl or boy scout? Participated in Boy/Girl State? There are many awards set aside for you (often through the organizations that offer volunteer opportunities).

7. Military scholarships. If your grandparents or parents served in the armed forces, take a good look at American Legions, VFW's, and Elk Clubs. You might find a nice chunk of change. If you served in the military, there are government programs in place for you.

8. Ethnic scholarships. If you are African American, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic, any combination or group not mentioned, look for scholarships specifically designed for you. Start checking at your high school, then the colleges you are thinking of applying to, and then the national organizations for each racial group. There is a lot of money waiting to be won in this category!

9. Scholarships for women. If you are a woman, there are many awards that are waiting to be claimed. Check with groups specifically designed for women. Things like the National Association of Women Business Owners, local women's groups, the Association for Women in Communication all have scholarships available.

10. Geographic Region. There are many awards based solely on the county you live in. Ask your guidance counselor if there are any in your area.

11. Your major. If you are intending on pursuing a certain area of study (like history, english, biology, etc.) there are awards set aside just for you. Check out clubs, groups, and associations related to your area of study for awards. You will be pleasantly surprised.

12. Random awards. There are scholarships for everything under the sun. See my previous post on weird scholarships here.

Alright, my fingers are getting tired because I've listed so many options. My point is, there are many ways to earn scholarships and plenty to go around. Just look and apply.

Want to laugh? Read this book.

2008-06-11T13:20:00.004-05:00

If you need a break from your studies or your scholarship applications, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: College will make you laugh. A lot.

Not only does this book prepare you for things like a stinky roommate (and give you practical solutions to this problem), it also gives you creative ways to save money and survive college when you are short on funds.

For example:

Learn how to eat for free (or under one dollar)
Learn how to ask your parents for money
Find out how to chill food and beverages without a refrigerator
How to create low-cost dorm room furniture

If you want more information on this book (or others like it) visit the Worst-Case Scenario website at www.worstcasescenarios.com.

The true cost of college.

2008-06-09T11:07:00.003-05:00

When you apply for college, you might think that the price tag listed on your university's website is the real sticker price. However, this estimate could be significantly less than the true amount you will be spending.

In order to figure out the true cost of college, consider the following expenditures:

1. Tuition (this is a no-brainer).

2. Fees. Fees are a lot like taxes for college kids, they include things like lab fees, student activities fees, etc.

3. Room and Board. (where you live and what you eat)

4. Travel. All those weekend trips are going to cost money. And, you have to go home every once in a while.

5. Textbooks. Please see my previous post on how to save on textbooks, but this can be a big expense!

6. Extra supplies. Are you going to buy a computer? How about study abroad?

7. Health insurance. You are most likely covered by your parents if they have an insurance plan. However, some schools require you to purchase health insurance if you don't have it.

When all these expenses are totaled up, you should have a pretty good idea how much you'll be spending. (Don't forget to add in about 5% for miscellaneous expenses.)

If you want to get an estimate on how much you'll be spending for college, goto the government's free college cost estimator here.

Tricks of the college textbook trade. Save hundreds.

2008-06-06T09:18:00.004-05:00

It is a dreaded but necessary expense: college textbooks. In one semester alone I paid over $600 for my books, and I know people that have had to paid more. The problem? By the end of your college career, you may spend upwards of $4,500 for textbooks--most of which you keep because it is almost pointless to sell them back (imagine my shock when I tried to sell back my Organic Chemistry books only to be offered $40 for what I paid $150).

But, never fear. There is hope! Both professors and publishers are starting to realize that more and more students have access to the internet (duh). And, they are catching on by choosing and offering textbooks in e-format. So, before you goto the campus bookstore and spend a fortune, check out these places for online (and cheaper) versions of your assigned textbooks.

1. ichapters.com. This site offers the widest selection of e-books and single chapters of common textbooks (about time, it is so annoying when professors ask you to buy a book only to assign three chapters). They also offer regular old print textbooks with a smaller price-tag.

2. coursesmart.com. Like ichapters, this website offers online textbooks from over 4,000 of the most commonly adopted textbooks as e-books.

3. Safari Books Online. If your school has a membership with this group, you may already have access to online books that have been assigned. Check with your professor or librarian to see if your college has a membership.

Online books are a great way to save money. But, don't forget tried and true methods like buying used textbooks if you can't find your book online. Also, selling textbooks direct to other students will earn you more than those bookstore buy-backs.

Right now, finding online versions of your textbooks is a little tricky, but it is up to you and your friends to make it a more common and available resource. Check out this article for more information.

The moral of the story? Before you take the dreaded walk to the bookstore, try to find your textbook online--you just might save a bunch of money!

Gap year scholarships.

2008-06-05T09:18:00.005-05:00

Before you read this post, please see my previous post on gap years.

The conclusion of yesterday's article was that gap years are not for everyone, and they can be quite spendy. However, today I found a new book that explores all sorts of financing options--so your year off does not become another financial headache.

Where's the Map? Create Your Own Guide to Life After Graduation helps you create your own path to self-discovery (whether that is through college or not), lists scholarships available to those opting to take a gap year, and combats stereotypes about those taking a year off before college.

The book authors are also offering scholarships for those interested. Applications are due August 1, 2008 and will be awarded in September.

If you are interested in more information about the scholarship program or the book, visit the website: www.wheresthemap.com.

Not sure about college? Consider a gap year.

2008-06-04T09:50:00.003-05:00

Well, your parents may or may not like it, but more and more students are deciding to defer their freshman enrollment for a "gap year": 12 months of self-discovery, travel, or work depending on the situation. While this is a personal decision, a gap year is not always a bad choice. For more information on taking time off before you goto college (and to find out if it is a good decision for you), check out this article.

The key to stellar scholarship essays.

2008-06-03T14:51:00.007-05:00

Watch the video below, and then I'll tell you how it relates to scholarship essay writing.

Most likely, you have seen this commercial and were taken by surprise (I was). The viewer never expects these two friends to hit a car when they were just doing something we all do everyday: have a conversation while driving. What makes this commercial so good is that we are engaged the entire time and then surprised at the conclusion. Both elements combined make an extremely memorable advertisement.

The key to great essay writing is capturing your audience's attention (in your case, scholarship committees), and then making your message stick so you'll be remembered. But here's the kicker. If you don't engage your audience within the first few sentences, you're sunk.

Here are four ways to create an essay that helps you stand out and makes you memorable:

1. Spend most of the time on your introduction. Like I said, you need to capture your reader's attention within the first sentence. Thus, your introduction is the most important part of your essay, because the goal is to keep your reader reading. Spend at least 60% of your essay writing time on your introduction and you won't be sorry.

2. Lead-in sentences should create a mystery. Lead sentences like "the person who made the biggest impact on my life was. . ." or "If I could have lunch with one person, that person would be. . ." are just plain boring and get committees moaning. The goal is to keep the reader reading. To entice them forward, create a problem or pose a question. For example, "I never thought the worst day of my life would end up teaching me my biggest lesson." With this type of sentence, the reader becomes intrigued: they want to find out what the lesson was, get it?

3. Surprise turn of events. Remember the Sixth Sense and the surprise ending? (I won't ruin it for you if you haven't seen it, but if you want to know what it is, email me). How crazy was that, and how many friends did you tell to see that movie? Here's the thing, if you conclude with a unexpected surprise--good or bad--your essay will be remembered, and committees will talk about you. In my mind, that's a good thing.

4. Don't white-wash your essay. It is tempting to paint a pretty portrait for scholarship committees. Afterall, you want to make a good impression. However, "white-washing" (including only glowing reviews of yourself) is not a good idea. Committees realize that you are human, with shortcomings as well as talents. If you shed light on all aspects of your character--good and bad--you are more likely to be remembered as an honest applicant.

I know these are pretty general recommendations, so if you want more information, visit my website and sign up for my weekly newsletter: www.collegeboundresource.com. Have a great day and happy writing!

Create a tuition gift registry.

2008-06-02T11:25:00.008-05:00

You've heard of wedding gift registries, right? Well, a new website offers a similar service to college students that need to pay for school. Greennote is a new website that connects college students with parents, friends, or perfect strangers that want to lend money for tuition using traditional social-networking processes. Pretty cool--you can finally put those MySpace skills to work.

While this might be an ideal solution for those of you looking to close the gap between college cost and how much you can pay, keep in mind is that using this service is the same as taking out a loan--the typical interest rate is 6.8%. This interest accrues throughout your college career. However, lenders can set lower interest rates, or no interest rates at all, or waive the interest after you graduate (if you are nice and send letters to them).

If you are interested in more information about this service, click here. Happy hunting!

Odd scholarships.

2008-05-30T13:10:00.016-05:00

So, you don't have the typical "skills" required to win a scholarship, huh? Just to prove that anyone can win a scholarship for anything, here's a link to some pretty strange awards. Also, be motivated: what unique talent do you have? I bet there is a scholarship for it.

Which scholarship database is best?

2008-05-27T15:17:00.003-05:00

If you are supplementing your scholarship search by registering for online databases, you might be overwhelmed by the number of scholarships these companies send to your inbox. You may want to limit the number of sites you with which you register your profile to reduce your stress (there are only so many hours in a day, afterall).

So, which search engine is the best?

Before I tell you what I found, I want to stress that you need to register with a site you feel comfortable with. A site you like to use: one that seems to match up your skills, talents, and profile with the closest scholarship matches.

That being said, it appears that Fastweb gets high marks for its usability and information. Check out the details here.

Happy Memorial Day

2008-05-26T16:12:00.002-05:00

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Today, take a moment to remember those who served our country.

Do you have Grandparents or Parents who served in the armed forces? Did you serve in the military? If so, you may be eligible for scholarships from the American Legion, the Elk's club, and other organizations that honor those that serve with scholarships for higher education.

Check with your high school for scholarship opportunities through these organizations, or click on either of the links above for more scholarship information.

Scholarship tactics, delivered straight to your inbox.

2008-05-23T13:07:00.005-05:00

The latest and greatest scholarship information, delivered straight to your inbox.

If you want the latest insider knowledge about scholarships, where to find them, and how to win them look no further. Although all of my website is not up, I still want you to get the benefit of the knowledge I have accumulated (I paid for my entire college education with scholarships, and so can you). There is a sign-up for my weekly e-zine: "The Resource," an email newsletter that comes straight to your inbox once a week. Don't miss out: only those of you who get the e-zine will receive access to the best tips and tactics to win scholarships. The result? You'll leave college with memories, not debt. Visit The Collegebound Resource: www.collegeboundresource.com.

What David Cook and American Idol can teach you about winning scholarships.

2008-05-22T10:28:00.005-05:00

Last night, David Cook took away the title: he was crowned this year's American Idol. This win came as a surprise to me. Personally, I thought that Cook's competitor, David Archuleta sang better on finals night. The question is: why, then, did David Cook win? And what can he teach us about winning college scholarships?

If you watched the show from the early stages, Cook stood out as someone different: he was innovative, original, and most of all, memorable. People started labeling him as "the rocker." If you want to win scholarships, you need to be memorable, too. You need to be labeled. (I know this is a somewhat disturbing prospect, labels are so superficial.) However, labels help people remember who you are because you own a category in their brain. An association. I would argue that Cook won because he was better positioned as a rocker--a definite label--for a longer period of time. He was more memorable in the minds of the audience. Archuleta, while a beautiful singer and captivating performer, did not own a significant label in the audience's brain. Only recently did he become the "prodigy" or "phenom," and too late to capitalize.

Like Cook, as scholarship applicants, you must own a place in the scholarship committee's brain in order to stand out from the crowd and increase the likelihood you win an award. What is your niche? What is your unique talent or ability? How will you stand out?

Today, literally everyone participates in everything (student council, NHS, sports, music, drama, etc.). Participation in a variety of activities is good, but not a way to stand out anymore. It is the depth, rather than breadth of your experiences that helps you stand apart. To find out how you can better package yourself (be remembered like "David the Rocker"), it is important to take stock of your activities. Are there any over-arching themes?

For example, let's say you play football. What other ways did football manifest itself in your activity list? Did you coach a youth team? Volunteer for the special olympics as a coach? Work as a ref. for a part-time job? On student council did you organize a fundraising event around a football game? If this were the case, you did a variety of volunteer, work, and extra-curricular activities, and football was the theme that tied them all together--making you "Joe the football star" instead of Joe: Application 276.

Pam Proctor, author of The College Hook: Packaging Yourself to Win the College Admissions Game, identifies the top 10 "college hooks," or areas that people position themselves to increase their odds of gaining admission into top schools. These "hooks" translate easily into the scholarship application process as well:

1. The Athletic Hook

2. The International Hook

3. The Music Hook

4. The Political Hook

5. The Technology Hook

6. The Humanitarian Hook

7. The Science Hook

8. The Writing Hook

9. The Drama Hook

10. The Multicultural Hook

Do you have significant expertise, ability, or talent in any of these areas? Do you have significant skill in another area not listed? Take a look over your activities list: try to find a over-arching theme that can tie your activities together. If you do, you have the potential, like David Cook, to captivate scholarship committees, become memorable, and win awards that pay off huge.

Save for college, without being penalized on financial aid.

2008-05-21T10:09:00.002-05:00

You might think that filing a FAFSA is a waste of time because your family earns too much to qualify for financial aid. Think again. There are many tactics to save for college without being penalized.

For example, did you know that students' savings and assets are figured into the FAFSA financial aid equations at a higher rate then parents' savings and assets? 20% compared to only 5.6%. That's a big difference. In addition, things like your parents' retirement plans and homes don't count. The point? It is better for your parents to save money for you instead of saving money in your own name.

There are many other techniques you can use to optimize your savings for college. To learn more, check out the special report from WCCO news in the Twin Cities here.

College costs rising (duh).

2008-05-20T11:51:00.004-05:00

If you're in college, it's no surprise that prices are going up. If you're getting ready to go to college, you need to know that costs are rising. The time to act is now! Get a start on those scholarship applications, get a summer job, start saving money. Trust me, you will be glad you did when you have to listen to your friends complain about still having to pay off their student loans when they're 40.

Check out this news report for more information.

Summer jobs are good.

2008-05-13T13:37:00.004-05:00

So, let's say you didn't get a head start on the scholarship search and you have to take out student loans. It's ok. Don't stress. Just remember, you do have to pay them back so try to use them as sparingly as possible. It may be time to start looking for a summer or part-time job (it's about that time of year, anyway). This way, you can minimize the amount you borrow. If you spend a lot of your time in the summer working, you might just make enough to avoid working in the school year.

However, some of you are going to end up working while you are taking full course loads. Check out CollegeHelpers.com, a website that posts part-time job opportunities for college students. You type in your information, and the website will hook you up with job opportunities in your area. Don't want the typical part-time job? Consider providing freelance services in your area of expertise:

English Majors: What about doing freelance writing for local business that need marketing material.

Graphic Design: Same thing here--businesses need you!

Blogging: you can monetize a blog and earn some passive income.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means (it is only three ideas, after all), but I hope it gets the brain a pumpin' and thinking of ways you can create some income for yourself while you are in school.

Remember, the ultimate goal is paying for school and reducing your financial burden--some times it requires some good ol' fashioned hard work.

Being competitive pays big.

2008-05-07T15:23:00.003-05:00

If you ever wondered if taking advanced classes was worth it, wonder no longer. Not only do AP classes give you a leg up when you are applying for college, give you the opportunity to test out for college credit, but they also play a big role in winning college scholarships.

Participating in a challenging curriculum says that you're "tough," that you are willing to work hard and that translates as a good investment for scholarship committees. In fact, donors are so convinced, that they offer a special grant just for those of you who take advanced courses. Check this out, a renewable grant worth $750 your first year and up to $1300 your second year.

College is still worth it!

2008-05-05T14:31:00.004-05:00

Well, even though the cost of college has increased significantly and students face more debt than ever before, experts say it is worth it for those who earn a degree. Over a lifetime, those who graduate from college earn about $280,000 more than those without a post-secondary degree. Check out the entire article here. It's a good one.

Giving Speeches: Remain Calm

2008-04-30T14:48:00.003-05:00

It is old news that public speaking is ranked as the #1 fear in most people's minds. (Death, by the way, is now ranked fourth right behind falling and drowning, which I guess are ultimate pathways to death, but I digress.) The cold, hard truth is that some scholarships are going to require that you either give a speech or audition to win the award. I cannot stress enough that this should not deter you--you must still apply!

The key is to remain calm. It is not as bad as you think it is. Giving a speech is an opportunity to connect and make an impression with scholarship committees. (Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to picture your audience in their underwear.) However, here are some quick tips that help me when I am about to give a speech:

1. Be prepared (this means you must practice your speech in front of your mirror). Nothing works on your nerves like being under-practiced: your mind starts telling you you're going to forget things, you start stuttering, and you just look plain uncomfortable. So, practice, practice, practice. Trust me, the nerves will subside the more comfortable you get with your material.

2. Breathe deep. Before you begin speaking, or walk up to the podium, take a deep breath and relax. You will be amazed at how much this helps.

3. Look 'em in the eye. Many times, people will put their head down and start reading their notes. However tempting, resist. You will make the ultimate impression by making eye contact with every evaluator. Don't worry if they aren't smiling or laughing, stare 'em down and show your confidence--you will stand out, I promise.

4. Pick a subject you like. When you talk about something you like or are good at, your natural excitement about the subject stands out and resonates with other people. It lifts your mood and your confidence automatically.

Like I said, it is inevitable that you will come across an award that asks you give a presentation or audition. So many people shy away from these opportunities--do not be one of them. Your willingness to apply despite your fear will pay off in big ways--including more money for college.

"Negotiating" Financial Aid Packages.

2008-04-29T13:47:00.010-05:00

VERSUS

OK, there has been a lot of buzz lately about "negotiating" financial aid packages. Now, before you continue reading, I want to clear something up: negotiating your financial aid package is a personal decision. I do not recommend appealing just because of the recent media attention or because it is the newest, trendiest way to reduce the amount of money you spend on college.

While bargaining with your Financial Aid Department is, essentially, a negotiation, school officials prefer to call it an "appeal." Once you have been accepted at a college and offered financial assistance, the Financial Aid Department will happily meet with you and your family to discuss your needs. It is important, though, that YOU (the student) take the lead in discussing the package with counselors. According to the College Board, "schools look for students to be the main partner with the university in completing their educations--and that involves being an active participant in the financial aid process. Over-involved parents can, at best, compromise this independence, and, at worst, make financial aid officers feel less willing to work with you and your child" (Feb. 2008).

There are two main reasons you and your family should appeal a financial aid package:

Financial Reasons.

Believe it or not, colleges make mistakes. Maybe they miscalculated or forgot to factor certain information into the package. Perhaps something has happened in your family since you filled out the application. These circumstances need to be brought to their attention.

Competitive Reasons.

Another school is offering you more money than your first choice school. (Each college has different policies about "competitive appeals," so it is wise to find out your school's opinion regarding this type of negotiation first.)

Usually, if you have a good reason for requesting more aid, the financial aid counselors don't mind taking a second look. You should be prepared, however, to offer materials that support your request for more assistance. Bring the following:

Information regarding your family's financial situation.
A copy of the award letter from the institution that is offering a better comprehensive package.
Proof that you will be financing your education on your own (if this is the case).

Once you're armed with these materials, contact your Financial Aid Department and set up an appointment. Dress appropriately, and make sure that you have practiced what you want to say beforehand. (Remember, you are taking charge of this situation, not your parents.) It might go something like this:

"Thank you for meeting with us today. I want to express how much I wish to attend _____ University and I am honored that I was accepted for fall semester. Unfortunately, I was expecting a higher amount from the financial aid package and I feel that I may have circumstances that would impact the current amount of aid. Can we look over this information together?"

It may take several meetings with Financial Aid to get an adjustment (this office is bombarded with students trying to get money, so they have to weed out the less serious candidates). Don't let this deter you. In fact, you'll be taken more seriously if you're persistent, increase the odds you'll get an adjustment, and get to know the officers on a first-name basis. (Trust me, this is not a bad thing!)

A lot of students worry that if they appeal their financial aid package they will be penalized and lose their aid altogether. This is highly unlikely. In fact, it's important to know that once you're accepted to a college, they want you to be there and will try their best to accommodate your needs. They want to help you.

The moral of the story? Don't be afraid of asking the Financial Aid Department to reconsider your award package. They are happy to do it, and you can only benefit by trying.

Compare Financial Aid Packages.

2008-04-28T13:25:00.004-05:00

At first brush, you might be tempted to accept any financial aid package when it comes in the mail (especially if the envelope has your first choice school stamped on the envelope). My advice: be patient. You will be receiving numerous financial aid packages within a month of each other, provided that you applied to more than one school, and it is best to compare before you make a commitment. Find out which school provided the most bang for the buck: it may be that a number two school choice provides a significantly better financial aid package.

Now, I know the hard part may be choosing a second or third choice school, but another important point to consider is the potential additional stress that accompanies being responsible for a larger part of your tuition--this stress could impact your college experience. It may be that without the additional expense, your educational and social experiences are enriched.

If you still have your heart set on your first choice school, but are offered a better deal somewhere else, try to appeal your original financial aid package. Not sure how to do it? Stop back tomorrow--I will share negotiation strategies with you!

The Scholarship Essay. (Yikes)

2008-04-24T09:28:00.008-05:00

One of the most nerve-racking portions of a typical scholarship application is the personal essay portion. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time writing about myself! Not only do I procrastinate in an effort to avoid this task, but I often bombard myself with a lot of negative self-talk (I am too boring, I don't have anything interesting to say, yada yada yada). The fact is, we all have something unique to share in an essay, we just need to uncover what it is and articulate it in a way that connects with scholarship committees.

First step: uncover your hidden talents

Like I said, the hardest part is getting over the procrastination and writing the first sentence. To make writing easier, take the pressure off: brainstorm instead. Write down all the activities you have participated in your life (even when you were a little kid playing in the sandbox). Write down what you like best about these activities, what gave you joy, any lessons you might have learned, or experiences you found scary or exhilarating.

Second step: write down your favorite things

Do you have a favorite book? Author? Favorite TV show? Website? Do you like to write in your blog? Who inspires you and why? What is the best family vacation you have ever been on, where did you go? If you were trapped on a desert island, what would you bring with you?Write down anything and everything you enjoy. Your official "best of" list.

Third step: where are you going?

Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten? What is your dream for your life? (Don't be shy, if it's making a lot of money and being a ski bum in Colorado, write it down.) Write down your biggest fear--what would you regret not doing in this life?

OK, those are three steps or groups of activities to get your brain turning. Just turn on some music and start filling up a blank sheet of paper--no pressure here, the idea is to just get your mind working. Don't filter your thoughts (this is key). No one has to see this paper but you.

In my experience, brainstorming has been the most helpful way to write an impressive essay. Once you get your ideas on paper, the hard part is over. Happy writing!

Earth Day Scholarships

2008-04-22T15:14:00.003-05:00

This is another post in honor of Earth Day! I wanted to let you know about these green scholarships I found on Fastweb: Top 10 Green Scholarships.

Good luck, and happy applying!

My bad recommendation experience.

2008-04-22T09:33:00.006-05:00

I was nervous. I walking down the hall toward my former English teacher's classroom, preparing to ask him for a recommendation letter. Now, I had already asked many of my teachers for letters, so I couldn't figure out why I was so scared. What's the big deal? I had always been a good, friendly student so the worst he could say was no.

When I knocked on Mr. Brown's* office door, he looked up, surprised to see me.

"Hello, Lindsay, what can I do for you today?"

"Umm, well, I w-w-was wondering if you could write a recommendation letter for me?" I was stuttering--since when did I stutter?

"Sure," said Mr. Brown, "When do you need it by?"

"Next week." I said. How horrifying, I knew this was not a lot of time.

"No problem, you can pick it up on Friday."

I was elated. This was sooner than I expected.

Friday came, I picked up my recommendation and thanked Mr. Brown. It was very generous of him to take the time and write me a recommendation on such short notice. There was just one (huge) problem. The recommendation was horrible. It listed the wrong activities, didn't sound very personal, and was addressed as "to whom it may concern." It was too late for me to ask for any revisions--my application deadline was only a few days away. I ended up sending that recommendation along with the rest of my scholarship application.

I didn't win that award.

Now, hind-sight is always 20/20. My poor planning and lack of consideration created the miserable recommendation. It was my fault. Not only did I put Mr. Brown on the spot, I didn't provide him with any helpful information. I should have known from my nervousness and his surprise at seeing me in his office that we didn't know each other well enough. Alas, these tough experiences often teach you the best lessons. Here is what I learned from this recommendation writing escapade:

Teachers, coaches, and mentors that you know best will write the best letters for you. If you feel nervous asking, or haven't kept in contact with a teacher, it is probably best not to ask.
Allow plenty of time for your recommendation writers. One week is simply not sufficient. Give at least three weeks to one month notice.
Provide your writers with helpful information. Give them your brag sheet or activity list, tell them the names of the people on the application committee, or at least the name of the award you are applying for.
Thank them. Follow-up with a thank you note. They are doing you a favor, it is best to show your appreciation.

Remember, recommendations are basically third-party testimonials about you. They are the only outside information scholarship committees have access to, so make the most of them by learning from my mistakes. Happy hunting!

*Name has been changed to protect the innocent.

Save the earth, save some money.

2008-04-21T13:23:00.007-05:00

In honor of earth week, I decided to list some ways that you can be both friendly to the environment and keep some green in your pocket. Enjoy!

In college, you are typically responsible for paying your heat and electricity bill:

Lower the thermostat and grab a sweater.
Unplug your electronics when you are not using them. (iPods, curling irons, and computers suck up energy when they are turned off and still plugged-in.)
Turn the lights off!

Going home for the weekend or driving to campus?

Carpool with a friend, split the gas money.
Fill up your tires--you'll get better gas mileage.
Use mass transit to get to campus (sometimes the bus is free with your student ID)
Bike or walk to campus

Random, Miscellaneous, but still good ideas:

Buy used textbooks.
Use both sides of printer paper when you are printing off articles. Use spare pieces for scratch paper.
Recycle print cartridges or have them re-filled.
Only do laundry if you have a full load.
Try to take shorter showers.
Try to reduce your garbage and have it picked up once a month instead of every week.
Utilize reusable water containers instead of bottled: try a personalized one at www.mysigg.com.

Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list of the things you can do to save money and the environment, but it should be enough to get you started. If you are interested in learning more, check out this article, or this website at National Geographic.

Early bird catches the worm.

2008-04-18T10:33:00.002-05:00

Here's a question I get a lot: "When should I start looking (applying) for scholarships?"

With scholarships, the earlier you start looking and applying, the better. Most parents and students are under the impression that scholarships are only for high school seniors, but they're not. Scholarships are available to students of a very young age, throughout junior high and high school, during college, and beyond. So, you should always be looking for and applying for awards. In my mind, if you want to make a giant push to win a bunch of money, you should start seriously looking and applying in ninth grade. Not only are their numerous awards available for freshmen, but at this point you have the opportunity to research awards for the future years--giving you time to improve grades, get involved, and try to qualify for scholarships that may have eluded you if you had not done this early research.

But, let's get realistic. Most of us only start thinking about paying for college when we are getting ready to go. Scholarship applications typically go hand in hand with college applications. The truth is, at this point, you have to apply with what you got (you can't add more activities, hone your skills further, or improve your GPA any more because you are already at crunch time). If you are at this point, take a careful look over your activities list and high school experiences--you may have to be a bit more creative in how you package your application (which I will talk about in a future post). This is not a bad thing. In addition, you still have the opportunity to research awards that are available at your potential colleges and compare financial aid packages. Making smart financial decisions now will save you headaches down the road, trust me.

No matter where you are in school, now is always a good time to search and apply for scholarships.

Put your best foot forward.

2008-04-17T15:27:00.003-05:00

Today, I realized that I am addicted to sweatpants. Being a business owner, and having a home office, I really have no need to get dressed for work. Here's the problem: I can't leave home without these comfy, fleecy miracles. I can't seem to talk myself into real, adult clothes.

My love of sweatpants would not be a big issue if I never ventured out into the world. But, I do. Every morning, I head out to get a coffee and run errands. On these ventures I always run into someone that wants to talk to me about my business. Would you trust a sweatpants-clad, still-in-college-looking, unprofessional girl to do work for you? Most likely not.

I am my own worst enemy.

So, why am I talking about my "style" and "sweatpants addiction"? This is one of those do as I say, not as I do moments. The sad truth is that people do judge you by your appearance. And, when you are applying for scholarships, sometimes you will have to appear in front of committees for an interview or speech, and it is important to put your best foot forward. (A lot of times, committees will remember what you looked like before they remember what you said--it is essential to create a good impression if you want to increase your chances of winning a scholarship.)

Don't be your own worst enemy.

My advice? Dress like you would for a special occasion: clean, polished, put-together. As sad as it is, leave the sweatpants at home.

It turns out parents do have a say.

2008-04-16T19:07:00.007-05:00

If you think that recommendation writers are only teachers, coaches, or mentors, think again. The new college-application recommendation writer? Parents.

So students and parents, it's time to get along.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press (4/16/08), colleges are increasingly asking for parents to provide input regarding their students. Colleges like Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York provide forms for elective participation from applicants' parents.

Now while this is an increasing trend, it's important to let you know that it is by no means the norm. There's a lot of debate over whether parental recommendations are a good thing or not. Critics claim that these recommendations are not only biased, but put "applicants from single-parent, low-income, first-generation American, first-generation college and international families" (Pioneer Press) at a disadvantage. In addition, one student said she was "embarrassed" when she read what her mother wrote and sent to her desired college.

Proponents, however, claim that the letters give admission committees a more complete perspective, allowing them a chance to see the applicant in the eyes of a parent. The letters help the process become more personal and well-rounded. It is important to add that this portion of the application is not weighted in any way toward a final "accept or reject" decision, but it would be "naive to say that they don't influence [committees] one way or another" (Pioneer Press).

So what's a kid (or parent) to do?

Lay some ground rules. Discuss what is on and off limits in the letter. Certainly, its OK to talk about achievements and overcoming hardships, but the line is crossed when you start talking about "how proud you were of Suzie when she was finally potty-trained!"
Try to give both praise and constructive criticism in the letter. As a parent, you want to portray your child in the best light, and this advice may seem contradictory to your nature. However, studies show that recommendations that include some weaknesses about the student are received as more authentic and valuable by application committees.
Take it in stride. Application time is stressful enough without adding fuel to the fire. Be open and communicate with one another--discuss how the recommendation will fit in to the entire application. Can it explain the semester of low grades? Expose a hidden talent? In reality, these letters can be a positive addition to the overall application.

The bottom line? This type of recommendation is not going away, so it's best to take advantage and make it work in your favor!

Don't write off "small" scholarships.

2008-04-15T11:41:00.003-05:00

During my classes, a lot of people tell me that small scholarships are a waste of time, and that they focus most of their effort and energy on the "big" scholarships ($5,000 or more). When I hear this, I get extremely frustrated. Why? Because you are missing out on a bunch of opportunities to win if you are putting all your eggs in one basket (please refer to my post "The Deadliest Catch). Listen to these statistics*:

Only about 50% of students consider applying for scholarships that are $500 or less.
More than 25% of students will not apply for an award less than $5,000!

I know it is easy to be lured into applying for scholarships that offer $5,000, $10,000, even $20,000 pay-outs, but you have a better shot at winning smaller awards. It's just common sense: less competition=better chances of winning. Here's a very real example: you have a better chance (statistically) of getting into Harvard than winning the highly publicized Coca-Cola scholarships.

Now, don't misunderstand. I am by no means implying that you should stay away from these big scholarships entirely, just don't forget about the little guys. If you string together five $500 scholarships, you have $2,500 (which beats the pants off nothing).

*According to a 2005 survey at Lunch-Money.com

The Deadliest Catch

2008-04-14T09:47:00.005-05:00

This weekend was fairly uneventful for me, but I did get a chance to catch up on my T.V. watching. On Sunday, The Discovery Channel aired an all-day "Deadliest Catch" marathon. You might have seen it, or heard of it. The show documents the experiences of the Alaskan King Crab fishermen. Wow, these guys are nuts!

What struck me (while I sat, comfortable on my couch) was their emotional and physical endurance. Sure, they complained and yelled, but they kept going, even when their "pots" (crates that catch crab) came up empty. These guys battle 30-40' waves, crushing ice, and 40 hour stretches with no sleep. And they keep working. Why? They know, eventually, their hard work will pay off in a huge way.

So, what can you learn from these iron-men?

1. Put as many "pots" as you can in the water. In other words, apply to as many scholarships as possible. Sure, some might come up empty, but others will provide big rewards.

2. Fish where you know the fishing is good. Apply for awards that you are extremely qualified for (you have the right bait). Also, search for those secret fishing holes--look for awards that only a few people know about--your chances are better where you have less competition.

3. Don't put all your hope in one "pot." Instead of only applying to one huge scholarship (which you may not win), try to string together a bunch of smaller ones where it's more likely you'll experience some form of pay-off.

4. Keep a positive attitude. When the crews on the fishing boats got down and crabby, everything seemed to go wrong--parts broke, fishing stunk, and injuries happened. Now, applying for scholarships is not life and death, but your attitude shines through the work that you do. Believe me, scholarship committees can tell if you feel passionate about the application.

5. It's all worth it in the end. After a season of fishing, the guys were awarded with a big check, reunited with their families, and all wore huge smiles on their faces. Hard work paid off for them, and it will for you, too.

OK, now that I've worn out the whole fishing metaphor, I hope you realize that a big pay off is within your reach, if you keep working for it.

Why you need to look (and apply) for scholarships.

2008-04-12T14:51:00.003-05:00

There are many ways you can fund your college education. The best way, in my opinion, is through scholarships. And boy have I heard the objections lately: "I can't get scholarships," you tell me, "they are too much work and I am not a [fill in your excuse here: 4.0 student, athlete, music prodigy, artist, etc.]."

The fact is, you can get a scholarship and the work is minimal in comparison to other ways of earning money. Here is why scholarships are so great:

1. Unlike loans, you do not have to pay scholarships back. They are a stress-free way to fund your education.

2. Scholarships are everywhere and for anyone. There are scholarships for being a loyal friend, skateboarding, making cool YouTube videos, and the list goes on and on.

3. You can earn scholarships at any time. That's right, they are not just for high school seniors. Start looking for scholarships early (even in junior high) and continue looking for them throughout college and beyond. Once you learn how to find and win them, you realize they are not just for school. Traveling abroad? Starting a business? Involved in a non-profit? Scholarships can help you to reach many of your goals.

Now that you know how great scholarships are (which I am sure came as no surprise), get motivated to apply. Applying and winning a scholarship takes a mere hour or two of your time, and the results are typically worth the effort. Consider this: winning one scholarship worth $1000 is the amount you would make working two 40-hour weeks during your summer vacation (and that's only if you have a well-paying job). To put it a better way, two hours applying for scholarships paid you $500/hour. Now that's a kick-butt paycheck.

The moral of the story? You can't afford not to apply for scholarships, so please don't give me any more excuses!

New Website Soon!

2008-04-11T13:38:00.008-05:00

Oh my gosh I am so excited! My new website will be up and running soon. Please excuse me for this (shameless) plug. Take a look:

If you are a parent, soon-to-be college student, or current college student my site is for you! It will give you all the information you need to make it through school without financial stress. When you get a chance in the near future, visit www.collegeboundresource.com. Now that I got that out of my system, I will be back with action-specific content tomorrow, I promise.

Here's where you start.

2008-04-10T10:11:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. Whether it's writing the first sentence in a term paper, cleaning your room, or going to the gym--motivating yourself can be tough. To help you overcome the inertia of hunting for scholarships, I thought it might be helpful to give you three places to start looking for awards. You'll notice these are not scholarship search engines (we will talk about those later).

1. Your high school guidance counselor or career center. Obvious, right? Well, a lot of students never bother to check here and often miss out on scholarships as a result. The thing is, high schools are often notified about local scholarship awards by gift-giving organizations and have awards from alumni, local community members, etc. Trust me, it pays to check here.

2. Your parents. Ok, so maybe your parents are going to pay for your college tuition--that is very nice of them. However, in this case that is not what I mean. Many companies have scholarship competitions for children of their employees. These awards are generally valuable in dollar amount and renewable if you maintain a decent GPA throughout college. Have your parents check with their employer about potential scholarship programs.

3. Civic groups and community organizations. Interested in pursuing a degree in business? Check out your local chamber of commerce. Did your parents or grandparents serve in the military? Check out the local VFW or Legion. The fact is, there are numerous community groups that give away money for college--don't be afraid to call up these organizations and ask! They are always happy to help.

The bottom line? You now have three ways to begin searching for awards, now get started!

Social Networking Sites: A Word of Caution

2008-04-09T14:38:00.000-05:00

One of the best ways to stay in touch with your friends and family is typically through social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook. Unfortunately, these sites are often one of the easiest ways to get in trouble and lose chances of gaining admission into your first choice school or winning scholarships. Why? More and more, admissions and scholarship committees are checking you out on the internet--they want to make sure they are making a good decision. Furthermore, if you get suspended because of something you post to your MySpace page, you hurt your academic record, and the chances for a successful application process.

When posting online, keep in mind:

Your profile will be read by admissions and scholarship committees, whether you like it or not. Is there anything on there you don't want them to see?
Although you're online, you're actions still have consequences. For example, a YouTube video of some girls bullying a classmate made headline news this week--those girls are facing jail time. No joke. Certainly you don't want to add "jail time" to your activity list!
Think before you post. You want to put your best foot forward: if you are not sure whether or not you should post something, just leave it out.

Here's what not to do:

Another bad example of MySpace use:

If I Can Do It, You Can Do It.

2008-04-09T09:29:00.001-05:00

In 1999, I was looking forward to college. I was tired of high school and excited for the next step in my "life journey." There was just one (huge) problem. My family landed in the financial in-between area. On paper, it appeared we were more than capable of paying for college. In reality, I was in charge of paying tuition. Scary? Umm, slightly. I had a mere pittance in life savings and it was spring of my senior year. How the heck was I supposed to go to college with no money?

I started applying for scholarships mostly out of desperation--I needed them. I didn't want my college memories to be of working long hours, struggling to pay my tuition every semester, and being stressed by balancing a full course load and a job. I wanted to leave college with memories, not a boat-load of debt. So, scholarships were the way to go. I learned all I needed to know about scholarships through trial and error, through experience, and a lot of research on the subject. The good news? It worked! I paid for my entire undergraduate tuition with scholarships. All of it. I have no debt, and tons of great memories from college. The bad news? It took a lot of hours learning the tricks of the scholarship trade, searching for awards, and packaging my application materials.

That's where this blog comes in. I will post content and information that will make your life easier. That way, you'll have the tools you need to make your scholarship hunt a success. I hope to help put you ahead of the pack when it comes to applying for and winning scholarships.

Just remember, scholarships are out there waiting for you. All you need to do is try and apply--I look forward to helping you along the way. Hey, if I did it, you can too.