When beginning your scholarship search, your best opportunities will be close to home. A thorough check of these resources can uncover the majority of your scholarship possibilities.

• Check with your high school counselor, your local library, and watch your local newspaper for scholarship announcements.
• Check with employers and any organizations in which you or your parents are members.
• If you have already selected a career field, contact professional organizations in that field for potential scholarship opportunities.

More ideas and tips on how to get scholarships is available from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) at http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2008/anscholarships070208.html.

Scholarships are the most publicized and talked about form of financial aid. It is important to remember that scholarships is one type of financial aid with grants, employment, and loans being additional types of financial aid. So remember to apply for federal and state financial aid to be considered for grants and low interest student loans.

Avoid Promises of Easy Money

Students and families are often motivated by claims of "millions of dollars in scholarships going unclaimed each year". Scholarship search companies that want to sell their services usually make this statement. Don't get scammed! The following are scholarship scam warning signs:

• You have to pay a fee. Never pay money to get free money.
• Money-back Guarantee: Application fee refunds often have strings attached. Don't pay any money to a company searching for scholarships or assisting you with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Requires credit card/bank account information. Never give out your credit card or bank account number over the phone.
• Offers Exclusive Information. Don't be fooled by someone claiming you are a "finalist" in a contest you have never entered.

For more information on scholarship scams go to the Federal Trade Commission website on scholarship scams (http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams) or "FinAid: The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid" (http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml)

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SCSU Scholarships

Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students:

In general, academic scholarships for new entering students are awarded through SCSU Office of Admissions. The application deadline for freshman scholarships is January 25. The application deadlines for transfer students are March 15 (fall semester) and October 15 (spring semester). For additional information and an application, e-mail the Office of Admissions at: scsu4u@stcloudstate.edu or contact them by toll-free at: (877) 654-7278. Complete descriptions and requirements for these scholarships are available at: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/financing/

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Current Students:

Scholarships for current SCSU students are generally awarded by the various academic departments. To help you find scholarships at SCSU for which you may qualify, the following search will compare your background with a database of awards available at SCSU. Only those awards that fit your profile are identified as matches. Please pay close attention to the specific details (application deadline and contact information) of your scholarship matches. SCSU Scholarship Search

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Private Scholarship Opportunities

There are many companies, professional associations, and service organizations that make scholarship awards to deserving students. Through our Scholarship Bulletin Board we share current information about these private scholarship opportunities. This page is updated as we receive information on additional scholarships, so be sure to check back on a regular basis.

Minnesota Achieve Scholarship Program

Minnesota high school graduates who complete any one of four sets of courses defined as rigorous earn a one-time scholarship of $1,200 to help pay for college at a public or private university or college. The Achieve Scholarship is available to students who graduate from a Minnesota high school after January 1, 2008. To be eligible, a student must:

• Have a parental adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000 reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year during which the scholarship is requested. This AGI limit also applies to independent students.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Meet the definition of Minnesota resident used for state financial aid programs.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Attend an eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Minnesota.
• Apply for the scholarship no later than 30 days after the term starts.
• Successfully complete the first term of college enrollment in order to receive the second $600 installment of the Achieve Scholarship.
• Complete one of the four sets of rigorous programs of study while in high school or in a home-school setting.

Download and complete the Achieve Scholarship application. Complete applications must be submitted to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education along with an official high school transcript. Questions about the Achieve Scholarship Program may directed to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education by calling (651) 642-0567.

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Expanding your Scholarship Search

If you want to take your scholarship search a step farther, check out these free scholarship search sites:

• scholarshipexperts.com is a database with a customized list of scholarships.
• finaid.org is a comprehensive website regarding all types of financial aid.
• www.fastweb.com Fastweb is the largest and most complete scholarship search on the Internet. It provides access to a searchable database of more than 600,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and student loans available to students.

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