探索奖学金机会
Preparing for college can be one of the most stressful times in your life. 在大学访问期间, 标准化考试, 财政援助表格和截止日期, 感觉就像一阵旋风. 这太容易让人不知所措了, but we’re ready to help you explore some ready financial options.
Let’s spend a few minutes looking at some key points about scholarship opportunities you can explore—and what to avoid.
Students admitted to all Penn State campuses are automatically considered for numerous scholarship awards and many more campus-specific opportunities are available by applying. But an estimated $100 million in scholarship money goes unawarded each year across the United States, 主要是因为缺少申请者.
Yes, there are thousands of scholarships out there just waiting for the right takers. 许多学校甚至没有GPA要求. BUT there are also many scholarship scams out there that target unsuspecting students. These scams can take different forms-- from promising guaranteed scholarships for an upfront fee to asking for personal and financial information under the guise of helping you apply for a scholarship.
Some scholarships require very little information from you, while others may require a lot of detail. 我们的 PSU-LV financial aid advisors can help you know whether the scholarship site asking for your information is legitimate. Unless you’re sure it’s a legitimate source, then STOP! 不递交申请!
更多的小贴士:
- 如果你还没有这样做的话, your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to submit a new FAFSA form each year of attendance.
- Start Early – apply 6 months to a year prior to the semester or academic year.
- Never pay for a scholarship search engine to “match” you with awards. 相反,你应该自己做研究,然后直接申请. While some search engines claim to “match” you with a scholarship, 你不能直接通过搜索引擎申请.
- 不要提供你的社会安全号码(SSN).
- If a scholarship seems too good to be true it probably is!
- 避免诈骗! – Online links are easily duplicated to appear legitimate. Read the entire link before clicking on it or completing an application. Or check with the PSU-LV financial aid office to verify that the scholarship is legitimate. Scammers often charge some kind of fee to apply or process the application. 但是合法的奖学金不收取任何费用, or ask for your credit card or Social 安全 number. One click on the wrong link and you could become a victim.
- 在家附近找找. 大型搜索引擎通常是全国性的. The larger the potential pool, the less likely you are to be awarded. Many of the clearing houses claim amazing results – but if you read the fine print, 大多数奖项都是最低限度的. 而不是, 向你所在的市政当局查询, 教堂, or community organizations like the Chamber of Commerce.
十大网赌靠谱网址平台 provides scholarships for students specifically attending our campus. 了解更多 about these opportunities and more, or to contact our financial aid advisor.
申请奖学金
The letter came – congratulating you on your acceptance to 十大网赌靠谱网址平台. What do you do next—right after you dance around the kitchen and text your best friend? You go online and you apply for scholarships, that’s what!
There are countless opportunities out there – some through Penn State that you’re considered for automatically. 另一些则要求你申请——而且要尽早申请! Missing application deadlines is too often the only reason students don’t qualify for a scholarship.
At 十大网赌靠谱网址平台, we want to help you take a straight path through the scholarship maze. 我们的 单应用程序 puts you into consideration for dozens of campus scholarship awards established by generous Lehigh Valley donors. We’re also ready to point you to the best sources for other community and national scholarship opportunities.
While you may hear that there are thousands of big national scholarship offers out there, we always advise our students that their best strategy is to start close to home. 大型搜索引擎通常是全国性的. And the larger the potential pool, the less likely you are to be awarded. Many of the national clearing houses claim amazing results – but if you read the fine print, 他们的大多数奖金都很低.
Submitting our online application gives you a great start by getting you into consideration for one of our donor-funded awards. Some of our regional scholarships target students in specific academic programs, others look for students who demonstrate community involvement; some select by academic performance, 而其他人则关注多样性.
所以请记住, 无论你的情况如何, there’s likely to be a scholarship that could be just right for you. But they all have application deadlines, so your first step should be to apply as soon as possible.
每年都要坚持申请! Remember, scholarships aren’t just for your freshman year. 你每年都可以获得奖励!
十大网赌靠谱网址平台 provides scholarships for students specifically attending our campus. 了解更多 about these opportunities and more, or to contact our financial aid advisor.