Get an edge up on the competition! Click here to view 'Exploring Scholarship Opportunities for Current New Paltz students'.
Private Scholarship Web Resources
Students are invited to check the Web for various private scholarships. Scholarships and awards vary in monetary value. Some are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. Some require the submission of additional information, such as an essay, portfolio, and letters of recommendation. Pay special attention to the requirements of the scholarship(s) that you apply for.
Private Scholarship Search Tips
-
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. You may also want to check out the FAFSA website for filing dates and other important information. Many scholarships as well as other types of aid depend on this information, and you have the right to accept or decline any financial aid offered.
-
Look early. Start looking for scholarships a year before you anticipate needing and/or qualifying for them.
-
Applying for scholarships and grants doesn’t cost you anything except the price of postage and a few hours of work. So, as long as you meet the qualifications, you have no good reason not to apply for as many scholarships and grants as you can possibly manage.
-
Be prepared to meet the deadlines for letters of recommendation, transcripts, essays, etc. This may mean getting to know your professors (who will need sufficient time), and/or writing a few goal-oriented essays in advance.
-
Evaluate yourself in relation to the requirements:
-
- What career do you hope to pursue?
- How do your goals and ambitions relate to the implied goals of the scholarship?
- How do your qualifications compare to the requirements of the scholarship?
- What are your past successes, achievements, honors received and positions of leadership held?
- What are your abilities and potential?
- Where do you want to see yourself in five years? Ten Years?
- For what accomplishments and in what way would you like to be remembered?
Private Scholarship Scams
Scholarship search services and financial aid advice services are common these days. Unfortunately, too many of these for-profit companies charge high rates to provide information that can be found elsewhere for free.
Charging a lot for a service isn't illegal - what makes some of these companies fraudsters is that they collect money to find scholarships for students but never provide the information, or they misrepresent themselves as a government agency in order to appear legitimate and attract customers, or they guarantee they'll get the student full funding for college (and then don't). Still, although it's obviously legal to charge for services genuinely rendered, you should keep reading if you want to save yourself some money....
If you're searching the Internet for scholarships and visit a site that asks for your credit card or another form of payment before it'll help you find funding, you might want to keep searching. Similarly, if you or your parents are contacted by an unfamiliar organization that invites you to an "interview" or "seminar" about preparing and paying for college, do your homework. Ask your high school counselor or a college financial aid administrator whether they've heard of the organization and know it's legitimate. In many cases, such invitations are a way to get you and your parents to come listen to a sales pitch: the company wants you to pay for advice on scholarships and other funding.
Don't believe anyone who tells you the information they offer can't be found anywhere else. You can get free advice from a variety of sources. The best places to start are your high school counselor or a college financial aid administrator.
Every student should guard himself so he does not fall prey to scholarship scams. There are six common signs:
- Application or processing fees;
- Loan fees;
- Guaranteed winnings;
- "Everybody is eligible" - each scholarship is geared towards selective criteria;
- Unclaimed aid myth - "Billions of dollars of scholarships go unclaimed every year"; and lastly,
- "We will apply on your behalf".
Being cautious of scams prevents you from giving away money instead of obtaining it. Never give out your social security number or bank information.
Private Scholarship Search Engines & Databases
Explore and investigate the numerous opportunities that are out there. It's the best way for you to discover the extraordinary opportunities that are out there for you. You can research private scholarships through various Web sites. Each scholarship link below will allow you to input your own scholarship profile. The databases will respond with up to date individual scholarship information. WARNING, some of the below links will exit you from our Web site and may not allow you to use the browser back button.
This database offers free access to over 800,000 individual awards worth over $2.8 billion in scholarship money. The results will appear when a profile is completed. You can save your profile and receive information on newly posted scholarships that match your profile.
collegeboard.com
This is a scholarship search that requires the student to create a profile. The results will appear when the profile is completed.
collegenet.com
The Mach25 database contains over 600,000 awards totaling over $1.6 billion. Keyword Search gives you a quick way to narrow down to a particular scholarship or group of scholarships.
fastweb.com
Search for $1 billion in scholarships - for FREE!
wiredscholar.com
Offers two free scholarship searches
collegescholarships.com
Provides scholarship searches and personalized scholarship application letters.
fastap.org
The World's largest and oldest private sector scholarship database. 20 years of Scholarship Research, Constantly updated.
scholarship.com
Scholarships.com is the Internet's premiere free college scholarship search & financial aid information resource, connecting students & parents with college funding opportunities.
studentawards.com
Has both U.S. and Canadian scholarship data bases.
collegeview.com
Provides a free search through a large database of scholarships
mach25.com
The Mach25 database contains over 600,000 awards totaling over $1.6 billion. Using a series of keyword and questions, the database narrows down the number of awards displayed on your results page.
supercollege.com
This site contains a free scholarship search database, free admission and scholarship newsletters, and other general scholarship and financial aid information.
collegeXpress.com
Database of over 320,000 scholarships.
fedmoney.org
Explore the lists of over 130 federal government programs.
freschinfo.com
A powerful database for searching college and university scholarships.
scholarshiphunter.com
Free and easy scholarship resource.
Fast Aid
The database is one of the largest and most established, and has a reputation for accuracy and integrity.
FindTuition.com
Free college scholarship search database.
Scholars site
Allows you to search for scholarships, available in Spanish.
The Princeton Review
Provide searchable database for scholarships.
Student Reward
Provide searchable database for thousands of scholarships.
Specific Private Scholarship Links
Several $1000 fellowships awarded to women who are registered in graduate studies and are New York State residents.
Lighthouse International Scholarships
This scholarship rewards excellence, recognizes accomplishments and helps students who are blind or partially sighted achieve their goals.
Scholarships that are available for Nurses.
Ulster Savings Bank is currently accepting applications for its sixth annual scholarship program. This program is open to both full and part-time students who plan to attend a college or university in Ulster or Dutchess County. Up to (15) $1000 scholarships could be awarded to students with a demonstrated background of community service along with a strong academic record.
Price Chopper's Golub Foundation
The Junior College Transfer Scholarship is for a graduate or or graduating student of a community or junior college, transferring to a four year college or university starting in the Fall semester. The Graduate or Professional School scholarship is for a graduating college senior or returning student who is planning on attending graduate school as a fully matriculated student for the Fall semester. Click the community tab on the Price Chopper website for additional information.
The John Gyles Education Awards are available each year to students in both Canada and the United States. Full Canadian or American citizenship is a requirement. Awards are available to both male and female students for all areas of post secondary study. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. Criteria other than strictly academic ability and financial need are considered in the selection process. Selected students will receive up to $3,000. Applications are available on their Web site.
World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship
The World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship was recently established for victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For eligibility, application, and benefit information see the above link.
Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund and September 11 College Fund
Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA), in partnership with the Alumna Foundation for Education has launched this fund to provide educational assistance for post secondary study to financially needy children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attacks and the following rescue operations.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
This scholarship seeks to lower barriers to undergraduate study abroad by offering scholarships to students with financial need and encouraging students underrepresented in study abroad to apply. The award for semester or academic year study abroad programs are up to $5,000.
Scholarship Help
Overall view and helpful hints regarding the scholarship process.
Career Prep
Summary of news and employment trends.
Peterson's
Information on SAT, scholarships, college selection.
Armed Forces Careers
Information on pursuing a career in the US Armed Forces.
HESC
NYS Scholarships and grants.
Edupass
Financial Aid information for foreign students.
The Robert G. Porter Scholars Program
Funded through The American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Programs are available for both United University Professions bargaining unit members and their dependents.
Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship
Sponsored by the National Association of Negro Business/Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. 1806 New Hampshire Ave, NW Washington, DC 20009-3298.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
American Association of University Women
Exceptional Student Fellowship
Scholarships for Sophomore and Juniors in business related field study.
National Society of Accounts Scholarships
Orville Redenbaker "second start" Scholarship
For students over the age of 30, write Oriville Redenbaker Second Start Scholarship Program, Box 4137, Blair, NE 68009.
National Italian American Foundation Scholarship
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Prestigious scholarship for students who intend to pursue a career targeted to public service or government. Graduate study should be a goal, with a portion of the funds directed there.
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships
For students interested in studying abroad
US Department of State Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
Marine Corps Scholarship
Offer one year undergraduate scholarship for the children of active duty reserve of former US Marines.
ARMY Emergency Relief Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Offers financial assistance for undergraduate study of dependent children of Army Soldiers.
Health Resources & Service Administration(HRSA)
Offer grant to support the health care field.
Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation
Provides undergraduate scholarships to juniors & seniors who major in television & film.
Target Scholarships
Provide scholarships for college student age 24 and younger.
Presidential Freedom Scholarships
For high school juniors or seniors who have outstanding leadership in community service.
Siemens Westinghouse Competition
Scholarships for Math, Science and Technology.
Aid & Resources for Re-entry students
Resource for re-entry students.
Gates Millennium Scholars
Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (Inter ISEF)
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)
The Siemens Foundation Science and Technology
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Fellowships
U. .S Department of Defense Science and Engineering Fellowship Program
US Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship
Jacob K. Javits Fellowships
United States Information Agency (USIA) (Fulbright Grants and Research Abroad)
Transportation Fellowship Program
American Indian Graduate Center
Abbott and Fenner Scholarships
Mensa Education & Research Foundations Sholarships
New England Camera Club Scholarship Program
Scholarship administered by 'The Community Foundation for the Capital Region' for communications-related majors.
Americorps
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: SeniorCorps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America.
Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship
Recognizes the achievements of high school juniors in areas beyond academics, and Awards scholarships for any type of post-high school education or training.
HBCU "Packard" Sit Abroad Scholarships (for study around the world)
scholarship funds to ensure that a diverse group of students can participate from all regions in the U.S. - and abroad - and from a variety of colleges and universities.
Holocaust Remembrance Scholarships
The Holocaust Remembrance Project is a national essay contest for high school students that is designed to encourage and promote the study of the Holocaust.
ScienceNet Scholarship Listing
list of scholarships via an officer from the Amercian Association of Medical Colleges, via an officer of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Student Inventors Scholarships
The Collegiate Inventors Competition's mission is to recognize and encourage undergraduate and graduate students on their quest to change tomorrow.
Rochester Area Community Foundation
The Community Foundation’s 875 funds have awarded more than $150 million in grants since 1972. This generosity is made possible through gifts contributed by our donors totaling a quarter billion dollars.
There are a few scholarships offered by the organization
Connecticut Student Loan Foundation
This scholarship was founded to honor the first President of the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation, Vincent J. Maiocco, upon his retirement. Mr. Maiocco continues to encourage promising students to pursue their education, and is dedicated to providing access to post secondary education through student educational financing programs.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation will award graduate scholarships to help students with exceptional promise and demonstrated financial need reach their full potential through education. Each award will fund a portion of educational costs including tuition, fees, and living expenses for the length of a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar's graduate degree, up to six years.
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) Scholarship
Since 1974, the HIAS Scholarship Program has honored the tradition of giving from generation to generation and enabling students to fulfill their academic dreams. The annual competition offers scholarship to deserving students in the United States and Israel. The awarding of scholarships is based on academic excellence, financial need and involvement within the Jewish community.
Hispanic College Fund Scholarship
The Hispanic College Fund provides talented and underprivileged Hispanic youth with vision, mentors, resources and scholarships. We are passionate about our mission to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals and it's our partnerships with business, government and foundations that are making their success a reality.
