Scholarship help needed - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TylerDurden0083 · 01-12-2006, 02:02 PM

Ugh, my loans are getting out of control and a buddy told me I should try to get some scholarship money... Unfortunately, I know nothing, so I thought I'd turn to my friends on the web.

Anyone got any ideas, info, or resources?

I'm betting I am not the only one who can benefit from this thread. I know that I am not the only one dreading these growing student loans....

Willravel · 01-12-2006, 02:05 PM

http://www.fastweb.com/
http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp
http://www.scholarship-page.com/
http://www.scholarships.com/
http://www.college-scholarships.com/
Just to name a few...
Are you a minotiry? What religion are you? What's your income? What is your household's income? What are your grades like? How did you do on your GPA? Have you done any community service? Are you disabled? These are all questions that would be important to address when considering shcolarships.

sailor · 01-12-2006, 02:16 PM

Most universities have a department setup specifically to help students find suitable financial aid. You might try getting in touch with them, they can probably help.

maleficent · 01-12-2006, 02:19 PM

Don't forget that there are a ton of less than scrupulous websites around - that promise scholarship money - -if you have to pay them for anything... it's probably not going to help you in the long run...

Check with your schools financial aid office... they should be able to point you in the right direction..

rhaevyn · 01-12-2006, 03:16 PM

I mainly use fastweb.com, it's pretty good. You fill out a profile and it gives you scholarship results that are supposed to fit your profile, though some scholarships you may not be eligible for might not be weeded out.

keyshawn · 01-13-2006, 06:28 AM

Welcome to the TFP Mr. Durden

As with rhaevyn, I can vouch for fastweb.com as the best source for the scholarships. Granted, there's quite a bit of ads on there, and each time you log on, you have a nag screen to go through, but the place is thorough, and has quite a bit of offers.

One thing I've noticed though, is a lot of local scholarships (that is, ones offered by org's in your area, either near your college or your hometown) usually aren't put on the sites like fastweb, so definitely check those out in the financial aid office at your university (which, IMHO, is your best source) or the following google method.

Google has also actually come in handy as well. I found a couple offers (though none panned out because I'm a white, middle/upper-class male who went to a private high school; but that's another topic) using a mix of the search terms like: "scholarship" , (name of county you or your college is in), "foundation" "organization" and (name of city relevant to you). Just mix them up you may find some good local offers you did not know about that way.

Lastly, as much as I begrudge this ideal, make your GPA is high. A good minority of scholarships are offered only to those with a GPA over a certain standard (usually 3.0).

Plus, try to use yourself for your advantage. For example, your local heritage's group may offer one, or if your parents or relatives belong to an org. like the elks or especially, rotary club, they have offers as well.

Good luck !

catcha back on the flipside,
keyshawn

PS - Luckily, now [jan. and feb.] is the best time to be applying to scholarships; or so said the lady at my univ.'s fin aid office.

feelgood · 01-13-2006, 06:34 AM

Make a deal with your parent. My Dad has been SOOOOO helpful in paying for school Sure, I have to pay for the whole thing. I was deep in debt with my Dad and at one point, it reached $7,000. Afterward, I changed my strategy in how I spend my money, got a part time job that pays well and the company I work for (Fedex) actually has a program in place that provide some tutition money for its student employee and a onetime paid co-op helped. Right now? I've been paying for school entirely on my own, including books and the debt is entirely eliminated, in fact, my Dad *owes* me money

.

It's just a matter of money management as well utilizing your resources (job, scholarship, mum and dad, etc) well enough to get yourself on your feet again.

TylerDurden0083 · 01-14-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyshawn

Welcome to the TFP Mr. Durden

As with rhaevyn, I can vouch for fastweb.com as the best source for the scholarships. Granted, there's quite a bit of ads on there, and each time you log on, you have a nag screen to go through, but the place is thorough, and has quite a bit of offers.

One thing I've noticed though, is a lot of local scholarships (that is, ones offered by org's in your area, either near your college or your hometown) usually aren't put on the sites like fastweb, so definitely check those out in the financial aid office at your university (which, IMHO, is your best source) or the following google method.

Google has also actually come in handy as well. I found a couple offers (though none panned out because I'm a white, middle/upper-class male who went to a private high school; but that's another topic) using a mix of the search terms like: "scholarship" , (name of county you or your college is in), "foundation" "organization" and (name of city relevant to you). Just mix them up you may find some good local offers you did not know about that way.

Lastly, as much as I begrudge this ideal, make your GPA is high. A good minority of scholarships are offered only to those with a GPA over a certain standard (usually 3.0).

Plus, try to use yourself for your advantage. For example, your local heritage's group may offer one, or if your parents or relatives belong to an org. like the elks or especially, rotary club, they have offers as well.

Good luck !

catcha back on the flipside,
keyshawn

PS - Luckily, now [jan. and feb.] is the best time to be applying to scholarships; or so said the lady at my univ.'s fin aid office.

Thanks, this was helpful. I have been on fastweb.com all day yesterday as a matter of fact. I know now that loans are pretty much inevitable, but at least I can put a dent in them with a few 500-1000 scholarships. Its just tough because out of everyone in my family, I am the only one who has pursued college. The perspectives on here have been really helpful.

Here are some of the things I've been looking at for resources :

www.progressingreward.com - allready applied
www.wiredscholar.com - allready applied
www.thesalliemaefund.org
-----
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
www.srnexpress.com
www.studentaid.ed.gov

yellowchef · 01-15-2006, 01:31 AM

www.myrichuncle.com I havent checked this out yet but its like a sponsorship site

also if your tuition is insanely high(like mine) check out your financial aid office, they may have school grants, loans and federal work study options for you.

TylerDurden0083 · 01-20-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowchef

www.myrichuncle.com I havent checked this out yet but its like a sponsorship site

also if your tuition is insanely high(like mine) check out your financial aid office, they may have school grants, loans and federal work study options for you.

Yeah, I think I should head back down to the financial aid office and try to get someone else this time.... someone more helpful.

Thanks for the website link!

TylerDurden0083 · 02-01-2006, 01:18 PM

I just wanted to update and thank everyone for their advice, I have been really busy with my pursuits and making some good progress. While only a few panned out so far, I am still optimistic. I really need to find some more easy money like www.progressingreward.com, etc, with open ended applications. Most of the others have been such a HASSLE to fill out/apply and then don't let me in.

These responses gave me some much needed insight here.

Melka · 02-01-2006, 11:54 PM

Depending on what department you're in, level in school, etc. another person you might want to talk to is the department head. They usually have discretionary funds to use pretty much however they want, it doesn't have to be based on need or any specific qualifications.

Even if it wouldn't work out for this semester, start trying to get to know them and maybe in the future that can pan out

I just figured this out my last semester in school and am getting some money from my advisor who is the department head to take a correspondence course.

TylerDurden0083 · 02-05-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melka

Depending on what department you're in, level in school, etc. another person you might want to talk to is the department head. They usually have discretionary funds to use pretty much however they want, it doesn't have to be based on need or any specific qualifications.

Even if it wouldn't work out for this semester, start trying to get to know them and maybe in the future that can pan out

I just figured this out my last semester in school and am getting some money from my advisor who is the department head to take a correspondence course.

Wow, I didn't even think to schmooze the department heads.... this is Brilliant!

01-12-2006, 02:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
TylerDurden0083 Upright	Scholarship help needed Ugh, my loans are getting out of control and a buddy told me I should try to get some scholarship money... Unfortunately, I know nothing, so I thought I'd turn to my friends on the web. Anyone got any ideas, info, or resources? I'm betting I am not the only one who can benefit from this thread. I know that I am not the only one dreading these growing student loans....

01-12-2006, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Most universities have a department setup specifically to help students find suitable financial aid. You might try getting in touch with them, they can probably help. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

01-12-2006, 02:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Don't forget that there are a ton of less than scrupulous websites around - that promise scholarship money - -if you have to pay them for anything... it's probably not going to help you in the long run... Check with your schools financial aid office... they should be able to point you in the right direction.. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

01-12-2006, 03:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
rhaevyn Insane Location: Pittsburgh, PA	I mainly use fastweb.com, it's pretty good. You fill out a profile and it gives you scholarship results that are supposed to fit your profile, though some scholarships you may not be eligible for might not be weeded out. __________________ ~Alex~ You've come far, and though you're far from the end, you don't mind where you are, 'cause you know where you've been.

01-13-2006, 06:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
keyshawn Psycho	Welcome to the TFP Mr. Durden As with rhaevyn, I can vouch for fastweb.com as the best source for the scholarships. Granted, there's quite a bit of ads on there, and each time you log on, you have a nag screen to go through, but the place is thorough, and has quite a bit of offers. One thing I've noticed though, is a lot of local scholarships (that is, ones offered by org's in your area, either near your college or your hometown) usually aren't put on the sites like fastweb, so definitely check those out in the financial aid office at your university (which, IMHO, is your best source) or the following google method. Google has also actually come in handy as well. I found a couple offers (though none panned out because I'm a white, middle/upper-class male who went to a private high school; but that's another topic) using a mix of the search terms like: "scholarship" , (name of county you or your college is in), "foundation" "organization" and (name of city relevant to you). Just mix them up you may find some good local offers you did not know about that way. Lastly, as much as I begrudge this ideal, make your GPA is high. A good minority of scholarships are offered only to those with a GPA over a certain standard (usually 3.0). Plus, try to use yourself for your advantage. For example, your local heritage's group may offer one, or if your parents or relatives belong to an org. like the elks or especially, rotary club, they have offers as well. Good luck ! catcha back on the flipside, keyshawn PS - Luckily, now [jan. and feb.] is the best time to be applying to scholarships; or so said the lady at my univ.'s fin aid office. __________________ currently reading: currently playing :

01-12-2006, 02:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	http://www.fastweb.com/ http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp http://www.scholarship-page.com/ http://www.scholarships.com/ http://www.college-scholarships.com/ Just to name a few... Are you a minotiry? What religion are you? What's your income? What is your household's income? What are your grades like? How did you do on your GPA? Have you done any community service? Are you disabled? These are all questions that would be important to address when considering shcolarships.

01-13-2006, 06:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	Make a deal with your parent. My Dad has been SOOOOO helpful in paying for school Sure, I have to pay for the whole thing. I was deep in debt with my Dad and at one point, it reached $7,000. Afterward, I changed my strategy in how I spend my money, got a part time job that pays well and the company I work for (Fedex) actually has a program in place that provide some tutition money for its student employee and a onetime paid co-op helped. Right now? I've been paying for school entirely on my own, including books and the debt is entirely eliminated, in fact, my Dad owes me money . It's just a matter of money management as well utilizing your resources (job, scholarship, mum and dad, etc) well enough to get yourself on your feet again.

01-15-2006, 01:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
yellowchef Addict Location: Shalimar, FL	www.myrichuncle.com I havent checked this out yet but its like a sponsorship site also if your tuition is insanely high(like mine) check out your financial aid office, they may have school grants, loans and federal work study options for you. __________________ the voices in your head are not real--but they still have some really great ideas. always remeber you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But..you CAN choose the insane asylum where you have them all put away!

02-01-2006, 01:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
TylerDurden0083 Upright	I just wanted to update and thank everyone for their advice, I have been really busy with my pursuits and making some good progress. While only a few panned out so far, I am still optimistic. I really need to find some more easy money like www.progressingreward.com, etc, with open ended applications. Most of the others have been such a HASSLE to fill out/apply and then don't let me in. These responses gave me some much needed insight here.

02-01-2006, 11:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
Melka Upright	Depending on what department you're in, level in school, etc. another person you might want to talk to is the department head. They usually have discretionary funds to use pretty much however they want, it doesn't have to be based on need or any specific qualifications. Even if it wouldn't work out for this semester, start trying to get to know them and maybe in the future that can pan out I just figured this out my last semester in school and am getting some money from my advisor who is the department head to take a correspondence course.