Research Guides: Scholarship Research (ENGL 1301 Prof Lopez): Home

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CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder
U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool - no registration required
College Board Scholarship Finder
Customizable search from non-profit organization, registration optional
Peterson's Scholarship Search
Search for schools & programs and scholarships. Search for scholarships by area of study, ethnicity, religion, disability, and more. No registration required to search but you must make a Peterson's account to view application details.

Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
Register to get free access to more than 5 million college scholarships. Find scholarships that match your skills, activities, and interests.
Scholarships.com
Search over 3.7 million scholarships and grants. Registration required to search and set up alerts.
Fast Web
Search over 1.5 million scholarships. Requires registration.

Focus on unique characteristics or skills that define you and make you stand out from other students.
Don't be afraid to follow unusual leads--many scholarships come from companies or organizations that you might not expect.
Don't focus only on award size: Some smaller, lesser-known scholarship opportunities may get few or no applicants in a given year, and lots of smaller awards can add up.
Don't let self-doubt hold you back from exploring an option that might feel like "aiming high."

Here are some tips for writing a great essay:

Use an outline. Collect your thoughts, key points, and create a general structure for the essay.
Use real, vivid examples of how an experience impacted you. Discuss the lessons you learned. For example, how did working at a homeless shelter impact the way you look at the underserved population in your area? How are you an outspoken leader? When have you exemplified teamwork?
Skip the exaggerations. If your experience isn’t real, it will show and your essay will come across as inauthentic.
Be ready for a question about your weaknesses or a failure. Use this opportunity to be very honest, but also showcase how you learned from this experience to show your personal growth and resolve.
Proofread your essay. Reviewers are not looking for text-message essays or tweeted experiences. Proper grammar and punctuation show reviewers how meticulous and thorough you are.
Get others to review your essay. A different point of view or perspective can make a great difference and help you make your point more clearly.