College life has become more expensive. While tuition at Florida public colleges is among the lowest of all states, rent, food, car insurance, and other non-academic expenses have risen dramatically in recent years. Here’s how to find financial help:
Apply for local scholarships: Tropical Financial is one of many South Florida nonprofits and businesses that offer scholarships. The credit union will award three scholarships totaling $10,000: One grand prize of $5,000 and two $2,500 scholarships to students. They are open to high school seniors preparing for college as well as students who are already in college, adults planning on attending college, or going back for a master’s degree. The deadline is March 31. For details, please visit the scholarship web page.
Smart search the web: Tap free scholarship search engines such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Cappex/Appily, and scholarshipowl.com. They allow you to create a profile and find scholarships that match your interests, academic achievements, and other criteria.
Check-in with your college's financial aid office: Many colleges and universities offer scholarships. Schedule an appointment after searching for scholarships on your institution's website.
Apply for scholarships in your major: Studying engineering? Nursing? Public relations? A surprisingly large number of foundations that may have never heard of offer scholarships related to a specific area of study.
Find niche scholarships: Get involved in a college club or a national organization that offers scholarships to its members. Scholarship information can be found on the association's website or through a web search.
What’s your scholarship strategy?
- Start early: The earlier you start looking for scholarships, the more time you will have to apply.
- Meet deadlines: Scholarship deadlines are often strict, so submit your applications on time.
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible: The more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of winning.
- Write a strong essay: Many scholarship applications require an essay. Tell your story, highlighting your achievements and goals. Warning! Don’t use AI to write your essay. Scholarship review committees will spot the assisted writing and drop you from consideration.
- Get involved in your community: Volunteering and leadership work will help you stand out from other applicants.
