How to Find Local Scholarships

We all know how hard it is to complete a scholarship hunt. It seems like there are so many out there, yet so few that we actually qualify for. It can take hours to filter through websites and pages of scholarships and you may never hear back about earning any money. This is one of the problems with applying to large-scale, nationwide scholarships. They tend to have big prizes, yet the number of applicants is plentiful while the number of recipients is slim. So, where can you look for scholarships that are relevant to you AND that you have a greater chance of receiving? Stay local. Local scholarships are likely to have fewer applicants, thus allowing your chances of receiving money! Although local scholarships might not have as large of a cash prize as a national scholarship, never underestimate the value of starting small. Smaller scholarships can add up and make a big difference.

One of the easiest places to look is if your high school offers scholarships. Consider asking your counselor or advisor for information about scholarships coming directly from your school. These scholarships could apply to different groups of students. Some high schools offer merit scholarships for students who have high-achieving grades, GPA scores, a certain test score on the SAT/ACT, etc. Additionally, some high schools may offer scholarships to athletes (even if you are not participating in a college sport). Your dedication to your high school athletics team may help earn you certain scholarships, especially if you were a team captain or MVP. Your team coach or high school athletic director would likely have information about this. If you are involved in your school’s chapter of National Honor Society, consider seeking scholarships through that platform. In general, your high school is likely to offer some kind of scholarship for its seniors entering college. Think of the groups you are involved in and consider if any of those could offer scholarships.

Many local communities have a rotary club that offers scholarships to high school students. A Rotary Club is a service organization to promote education, community, environmental stability, peace, and more. If your local community has a branch of a Rotary Club this is another place that may have money for students. If you plug in your town in the search function of this website, you will be able to locate a rotary club near you. The national Rotary website guides students to contact their local Rotary Clubs for details on scholarship applications since each branch raises its own money for scholarships. Reach out to your local branch for information on high school scholarships.

If you are struggling to identify other areas within your community that offer scholarships, consider tapping into any local connections you have. This could be where you work, where your parents work, friends of your family, etc. Oftentimes, people are able to connect you to what you are looking for, and the best way to get there is simply by asking. Do not be afraid to let others know you are keeping your eyes out for scholarships to help fund college. Start asking around early and allow time for connections to get back to you. Sometimes, these people can also serve as a great reference if needed on a college application. Overall, there is a world of scholarships for college students. Consider the scale of the scholarship you are applying to, and remember that staying local and starting small has big benefits. Start your scholarship hunt within your hometown before you expand your circle to national scholarships.