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The government, colleges and private organizations provide money to help students cover college costs. This  comes in several forms. One form is scholarships — gifts of money that does not need to be paid back. Scholarships are usually offered to students who meet certain requirements. For example, scholarships may be given to students who have strong academic or athletic skills, who are members of a specific ethnic group or whose parents work for a certain company. Here are more details about what types of scholarships are available and where to find them. 

It's not easy to separate your  application from the crowd. After all, even if you fit the criteria to a "T," you're still likely to be one of a number of applicants with similar grades, goals, activities, and aspirations. That's where a great application essay comes in. The essay is your best chance to make the case for why you should receive the scholarship; it helps the scholarship provider learn about , and gives them a much more detailed look at your school and home life. 

Applying for scholarships is a lot like applying to colleges. You start with a large number of possibilities and cut that down to a short list of choices. Then you have to complete and submit applications that include essays, recommendations and lists of achievements that highlight your best qualities. You may hear various suggestions about the best way to apply for scholarships. The truth is, what works for one person may not work for another. There are no secrets to applying. The best advice is to use common sense and follow directions. 

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Undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships are forms of aid that help students pay for their education. Unlike student loans, scholarships and fellowships do not have to be repaid. Hundreds of thousands of scholarships and fellowships from several thousand sponsors are awarded each year. 

Writing an application essay that is memorable and engages the reader can have a big impact on whether you win a scholarship. It is one of the few selection criteria that is completely under your control. 

Scholarship America is in place to help students make postsecondary education possible. The Scholarship America blog appears weekly at  and features expert advice on all kinds of scholarship related issues. 

 

Reviews.com is a website dedicated to conducting data driven and unbiased research about topics that can help make an impact in people's lives. They spent over 200 hours researching 17 of the most popular scholarship search platforms that are currently available. They analyzed and audited them using five core metrics to identify key functionality, research tools, and useful student resources.  In an effort to raise awareness around the barriers that hinder students from pursuing their college education, they have provided the Best Scholarship Search Platforms guide.