Most Common Application Mistakes
- Missing deadlines
- Failing to proofread the application
- Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations)
- Omitting required information
- Applying for an award when you don’t qualify
- Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible
- Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor
- Writing a boring essay
Top Ten Most Unusual Scholarships
- Scholarship for Left-Handed Students
- Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest
- David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship
- Zolp Scholarships
- Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship
- Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award
- National Marbles Tournament Scholarships
- Klingon Language Institute Scholarship
- National Beef Ambassador Program
- Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Prestigious Scholarships
- Marshall Scholarships
- Rhodes Scholarship
- Winston Churchill Scholarship Program
- Harry S. Truman Scholarships
- Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship
- Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
- Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
- Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest
- National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Top Ten Most Generous Scholarships
- Intel Science Talent Search
- Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology
- NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition
- Davidson Fellows
- Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
- Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
- Collegiate Inventors Competition
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
- Gates Millennium Scholars
Top Ten Scholarships for Community Services
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
- The Do Something Awards
- Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
- Discover Card Tribute Award
- Echoing Green Fellowship
- The Heart of America Christopher Reeve Award
- Kohl’s Kids Who Care Program
- Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
- National Caring Award
- Youth Action Net
Top Ten Scholarships that Don’t Need an “A”
- US Department of Education
- AXA Achievement Scholarship Program
- Horatio Alger Association Scholarships
- Ayn Rand Institute
- Girls Going Places Scholarship
- Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest
- Americanism Essay Contest
- AFSA National Scholarship Essay Contest
- Red Vines Drawing Contest
- Community Foundation Scholarships
Hispanic Scholarship
- https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/hispanic-latino-scholarships/
Key Scholarship Resources
- www.fastweb.com
- www.finaid.org/scholarships
- www.finaid.org/websearch
- www.finaid.org/scholarshipscams
- www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
- www.finaid.org/taxbenefits
- www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf