Scholarships 101: Where to Find Money + How to Stay Organized

Written By Courtney Wilson

Paying for college doesn’t have to be stressful—there is money out there for you. The key is staying organized, starting early, and applying consistently.

Where to Find Scholarships

Here are the best places to search:

  • School counselor’s office

  • Local nonprofits, churches, fraternities/sororities

  • Community organizations

  • State grants

  • Online databases (Fastweb, Bold.org, College Board)

How to Stay Organized

A little structure saves a LOT of stress:

  • Use a spreadsheet to track deadlines

  • Save essays in one folder

  • Reuse essays when appropriate

  • Set “scholarship hours” every Sunday

Application Tips

  • Start with local scholarships—they have smaller applicant pools

  • Follow directions exactly

  • Proofread everything

  • Keep a running list of achievements and activities

K&E Reminder: Small scholarships add up. A $250 award is $250 less you have to pay.

Courtney Wilson
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📝 Student Scholarship Checklist