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When it comes to finding college scholarships, many parents and students are under the impression they are for athletes, academic geniuses, or those of an ethnic minority. There has always been a certain pressure on students during their high school years, as they have a certain set of expectations they have to meet.
As the cost of undergraduate (and graduate) programs steadily increases each year, many average students believe they do not have the grades or the money to attend college. However, there is a misconception when it comes to finding scholarships. Scholarships are not only for a certain set of people who fit the specific parameters. There are scholarships available catering to every student and every need. Between the Banking Sense College Scholarship Guide and these top five scholarship programs, there are scholarship opportunities for everyone.
- Duck Tape Prom Date Scholarship
While this does not sound legitimate, this a real, serious company dedicated to offering students scholarships. Duck Tape sponsors contests for high school students to design prom dresses, accessories, and tuxes with duct tape. The contest asks for contestants to get as creative as they can. As this contest has grown in popularity, Duck Tape provides a few scholarship opportunities.
- American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program
This scholarship program does not judge a student on their academic successes and failures. Rather, this program’s purpose is to spread awareness for fire prevention. All students need to do to apply is to read the online essay on the use of fire sprinklers and answer a subsequent test. Completing those two things puts them in a drawing for a $2,000 scholarship and a $1,000 scholarship. One thing to keep in mind though, the more answers a student gets right on the test, the more entries they get into the drawing.
- Dell Scholars Program
The Dell Foundation offers scholarships to students nationwide through their college readiness program. Students must participate in the program for two years to be eligible to apply for academic scholarships. The scholarships are not based on grades. Instead, the scholarships are based on determined students who have overcome hardships to get where they are today. The scholarship does take financial need into account; however, it also focuses on other areas in the student’s life such as individual determination, future goals, communication, and self-motivation.
This corporation awards students who participate in community service up to $5,500 in scholarship dollars. It is designed for students to grow in leadership by getting involved within their community. An added benefit to this scholarship is that many colleges affiliated with AmeriCorps will match the education award a student is offered.
- Career Specific Scholarships
For students who know exactly what they plan to do in the future should look into career specific scholarships. These scholarships come from companies, foundations, and corporations that want to help students achieve their dreams. ScholarshipsAmerica.org has a wide variety of resources students can utilize to find a scholarship in their field of study.
Though finding the right scholarship can take time, there are plenty available all students are eligible for.
