Cash for college

Mon., Jan. 15, 2007

The Arizona Republic The Spokesman-Review

Here are 10 tips to help you navigate the scholarship field:

— 1. Where to start. Begin at the colleges or universities where your teen plans to apply. Find out what they offer. Many list scholarships on their Web sites, but don't be afraid to call the admissions office and ask, Jagernauth says. Admissions officers often will have suggestions. "A lot of families are scared to exercise their options, but the best thing they can do is (call) the university," she says.

— 2. Read the fine print. Find out what the scholarship's qualifications are. If the minimum grade point average is 3.0 and your teen falls below, you likely will waste your time. If the scholarship requires a track record of volunteering, and your teen is only just starting to ladle soup in the soup kitchen, it's unlikely he will get the award, says Richard Montauk, a Boston-based college consultant and author of "How to Get Into the Top Colleges" (Prentice Hall, $25).

— 3. More is better. Don't pin hopes on one or two applications or you may be disappointed, Montauk says. It's sometimes difficult to tell what your chances are when applying for a scholarship. Some groups will publish the number of applicants, and the number of scholarships awarded the previous year, but not all do.

Montauk says it's OK to call the scholarship organization and ask how many people applied last year and how many scholarships were given.

— 4. Local vs. national. If you're pressed for time, it may be best to concentrate on local scholarships and those offered by colleges. Any groups you are affiliated with such as Rotary, Lions Club, religious, union or professional organizations may offer college scholarships. Check with your employer to see if your company offers scholarships.

— 5. Remember your teen's strengths. If your teen is an ace student, focus on merit scholarships. If your daughter is an outstanding volleyball player, think athletic scholarships. If your son works at a fast-food restaurant, check to see if the company gives scholarships. If you served in the military, check into military scholarships.

— 6. Be careful of paid scholarship services. If a Web site wants money to search for scholarships, think twice, Montauk says. There are plenty of free Web sites such as www.fastweb.com that will search for free.

— 7. Don't forget federal aid. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, even if you think you make too much money to qualify. You have nothing to lose by filling out the form.

— 8. Consider time involved vs. possible payoff. Some scholarship applications are simple and require only a few minutes. Others require essays and recommendation letters and interviews. If it's a big-money scholarship, it may be worth your time. If not, you may want to reconsider.

— 9. Don't forget deadlines. Scholarship deadlines vary so put the individual deadlines on your calendar so you won't miss out. Some scholarships require recommendation letters from teachers or counselors, and it's best to give these people two weeks' notice, Jagernauth says. When you ask for a recommendation, give the teacher a short written biography of the teen so the teacher can personalize the letter.

— 10. Be ready to fill out forms. You will save time and frustration if you gather tax forms, your teen's resume, any recommendation letters and essays ahead of time.

Applying for college scholarships can be overwhelming. The sheer number of scholarships out there makes the process even more confusing. Be prepared to invest time researching or you may waste time applying for awards that your teen has little chance of getting.

“Scholarships are like a part-time job. It takes a lot of work,” says Saroj Jagernauth, counseling department chair at Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Glendale, Ariz.

Here are 10 tips to help you navigate the scholarship field: