i" (NAPSA)—While paying for college can be a challenge, for many students, thousands of dol- are lars in scholarships are available each year. In fact, according to a national study by Ipsos, more families use grants and scholarships to fund college than any othersource of funding. WhyToFind Scholarships After all, scholarships are “free money” that doesn’t need to be repaid, which means fewer out-of- pocket costs and the potential to graduate with less studentdebt. Where To Find Scholarships A commonmisconception about. scholarships is that they are meant only for class valedictorians or star athletes. In reality, Scholarships can be awarded for athletic and academic achieve- ments,financial need, community affil ns and more. there are thousands of different scholarships available for stu- year in high school; younger stu- hobbies. Organizations that offer requirements. Students will be most successful searching for scholarships if they start early, stay focused and dotheir research. dents with all types of skills and scholarships can include: Employers Companies High schools andcolleges Religious groups Professional associations Foundations and nonprofit organizations. dents should research scholarships and educate themselves on the Also,it’s important to remem- ber to apply for a scholarship for every year you plan to attend college. There are even such fun and unique scholarships as the “Stuck How to Find Scholarships Families can research scholarships online and through their with the most creative duct tape the free scholarship search tool at www.SallieMae.com/Scholarship at Prom” Scholarship Contest by Duck brand, awarding students prom outfit. Here's another useful fact: Stu- dents need not waittill their senior school. Another great resourceis Search. That database represents over 3 million scholarships total- ing $16billion.
