One of the more commonly known scholarships are those awarded on athletic merit. According to Scholarshiphelp.org, nearly $1 billion is awarded for these types of scholarships per year, and over a 100,000 students are awarded with either a partial or full scholarship. The field for this type of scholarship is very competitive, however, so an early start is crucial to understanding what is needed to obtain one. Start first with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the university financial aid office to begin the application process.
Academic awards are scholarships based on merit for those students who have excelled in areas of academia. Usually they come as a a part of the financial package offered based on the information provided from a college application. If not, check with the financial aid office to find out how these scholarships are awarded, and if an application process is needed.
Many private organizations also provide scholarships that also benefit their company or group. Companies like Microsoft, in particular, are known to offer scholarships, especially for women or minorities. Corporations often offer these types of scholarships to either attract or retain employees. Not only do students have a greater chance to get these types of scholarships, many times these go unrewarded due to a lack of applicants. To scout these opportunities, check with local corporations that might provide this type of award, especially those corporations that have a need for specific types of college degrees. Chambers of Commerce provide the information needed to seek this specific information, and even bigger corporations offer scholarships for high school students in almost every year of high school. Also check online; major companies like Coca-Cola and Best Buy award grants for college.
Religious organizations often offer scholarships to members of their groups who cannot afford full tuition. Additionally, ethnicity or minority-based scholarships also look beyond education or activities. In these cases, things like race, gender, physical limitations or religion become primary deciding factors, in addition to academic merit or financial need.
Branches of the military award scholarships in return for a tour of duty. The work done while in the military can also provide on-the-job training in a specific area, and it can be a logical stepping stone for certain careers. Opportunities exist anywhere from computers and technology to legal and law enforcement positions. There are also scholarships awarded for those who have already served in the military, which can fund anything from a professional degree to technical college.