FInding Funds
After you have completed your applications for the college or university of your choice, the next logical step is to start searching for ways to fund your education. Unfortunately, there is no pre-made list for each individual student for the scholarships to apply for; however, there are some tips and tricks to finding funds that can be generalized to everybody.
A main source we use at West is the CIS Financial aid sort which allows students to sort through scholarships that fit their qualifications. Because of students' familiarity with this program, we recommend this as a good place to begin your search. Follow the steps below to access this resource.
A main source we use at West is the CIS Financial aid sort which allows students to sort through scholarships that fit their qualifications. Because of students' familiarity with this program, we recommend this as a good place to begin your search. Follow the steps below to access this resource.
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If the sorted list still feels a little overwhelming and you would like more information on how to search for scholarships, OSAC has a presentation called Finding Funds for Oregon Students that offers more information on financing college. Remember, if you would like more assistance with finding scholarships become an ASPIRE student to receive one on one assistance!
Other places to look for scholarships:
Tuition Funding Sources
Scholarship America
Unigo Scholarship Directory
- West Salem Scholarship Page
- Scholarship drawer in the Counseling Center
- Clubs or sports that you are/have been a part of
- Membership organizations (e.g., banks, places your parents work)
- Organizations that are in your desired field of study (e.g., Kaiser Permanente for nursing/medical fields or Intel for engineering/computer science fields)
- Specific college/university/trade school scholarships applications- many have a separate application and deadline to be considered for scholarships!
- Local organizations (e.g., Elks Lodge, Boys and Girls Club)
- State wide scholarship application with OSAC (can apply to 20 scholarships with one application). Learn how to complete this application here.
- Other search engines:
Tuition Funding Sources
Scholarship America
Unigo Scholarship Directory
Tips for Winning Scholarship
- Learn how to complete a strong application_.
- Learn how to write a strong essay.
- Get recommendation letters from teachers who know you well and can really speak to who you are.
- Make a calendar for yourself of scholarship dates and goals for you to achieve (e.g., one scholarship a week).
- Be sure to apply for those smaller dollar amount scholarships as they usually have less people applying for them and as such give you more chance of winning.
- Keep all your scholarship essays and materials; many can be reworded and reused for other applications.
- Persistence pays: apply, apply, apply!