Applying for Scholarships

Scholarships help to defer the cost of higher education, yet the process to find and apply for them can, at times, seem daunting and unachievable. This is where a few tips on how to optimize your search and application process can help you make the most of a hunt for additional college funds 1. Start local Start your search at the smallest level. Begin searching by school, town, county, state, etc. While searching, get creative, look at things like family employers, local chamber of commerce associations, rotary clubs, and check with family members to see if their affiliates offer scholarships. More often than not, local associations are looking to help support their members and the community and getting you an education is a great way to do just that. 2. The internet The internet is a great resource and a seemingly endless source of scholarship information, but beware, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always check for contact information (e.g. a phone number, e-mail, or address) before spending the time applying for a scholarship. Contact the association that is awarding the scholarship, and make sure its a legitimate institution. These are some core websites for NH students: a. www.NHHEAF.org d. www.NHCF.org b. www.yourUSNH.com e. www.NH93.com c. www.state.nh.us/postsecondary f. www.FAFSA.ed.gov g. www.studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship 3. Banks have money Often times, larger banks (e.g. Bank of America, TD Banknorth) have scholarship opportunities you may not know about. You may have to be a member at the bank, or an employee of a branch, but you may be surprised to find the opportunities that go unadvertised that you may be eligible for. This is not exclusive to large banks either, some credit unions may also have scholarships. 4. Time management By applying for as many scholarships as you can, you will increase your odds of being awarded at least one of those scholarships. You may want to choose scholarships that dont require you to read an entire book, rather, apply for scholarships that ask for a short personal statement, or small essay. Long story short, dont put all your eggs in one basket, if youre going to spend the time, spend it on multiple applications and increase your odds.
Good Luck! Remember to stop by the Financial Aid Office in January and February when we start posting UNH Manchester Program Scholarships.