Scholarship Tips and Searches
How to Begin:
- Review online search engines.
- Search your community, church, and civic organizations
- Talk to your faculty or academic advisor
Check with your parent’s employers
Scholarship Scam Warning Signs
- Fees
- Credit Card/Bank Account Information requested
Scholarship Guarantee
No Work Involved
No Contact Information
Pressure Tactics
REMEMBER!! An official sounding name doesn’t assure legitimacy!
What do judges look for?
- Do you meet the qualifications?
If your application presented well?
Did you include all required documents?
Did you answer all of the questions?
Is your essay (if required) concise with few grammatical errors?
Application Tips
- Apply Early
Know the Deadlines
Allow time for recommendation letters
If you win a scholarship inform the Financial Aid Office-it may adjust your financial aid award.
Send a thank you letter if awarded a scholarship
Scholarships and Taxes
A scholarship is considered tax-free if used only for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. A scholarship is considered taxable if it is used to cover room, board, travel, clerical help, research, or non course-related equipment.
Questions? Contact the IRS at www.irs.gov or 1-800-829-1040.
Internet Sites to Begin your Search
FASTWEB
Financial Aid Information Page
Financial Aid.com
Princeton Review
International Education Finance (For Study Abroad or Internationals)
2006 Colleges
Thompson/Peterson’s
General Board of Higher Educ.
United Methodist Higher Educ.
Sallie Mae Fund
College Answer
College Scholarships.com
The Scholarship Page
Key Bank
Suntrust
Sallie Mae Fund
Business and Professional Women
Jack Kent Cooke Fellowship
Embark
Burger King
KFC
Wal Mart
Tobacco Scholarship
Robert Byrd Scholarship
Martinsville Community Foundation Awards
(Contact April Haynes at (276) 656-6223 or P.O. Box 1124, Martinsville, VA 24114 Deadline is April 1.
Burroughs Grant/Atkins Trust Scholarships-For students within a 200 miles radius of Martinsville, VA
Contact BB&T at (276) 666-3105
Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program (VTSLP)-Must be nominated by a faculty member in the education program. Please contact your education professor for more information.



