Tag Archives: college scholarship search

10 Scholarships to Apply For This Spring

Leave a reply

If you’re still looking for ways to help pay for college this fall, here’s a list of 10 scholarships open to high school seniors with application deadlines during the next few months. Some scholarships are even available to current college students!

1. Sports Unlimited Scholarship
Deadline: April 20, 2015

Write an essay between 500 and 1000 words describing a time when you have overcome adversity to succeed in a sport for a chance to win $1,000.

2. All About Education Scholarship
Deadline: April 30, 2015

This scholarship asks you to write a short essay (250 words or less) in response to the question “How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?”

3. National Home Improvement Scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2015

Open to both high school, college, and graduate students, applicants must write an essay of up to 1,000 words about how they will use their education to help the world. The winner receives $1,000.

4. Mometrix College Scholarships
Deadline: May 22, 2015

If your friends are always asking you for study tips, this is for you! Write an essay of up to 2,000 characters (about 400 words) sharing how you prepare for a test and you could win $5,000. This scholarship is also open to current college students as well as high school seniors.

5. Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2015

This scholarship awards five winners $1,000 each, as well as gives each winner’s school a $500 grant and Krylon supplies. To apply, you must submit your portfolio, a statement, a letter of reference and your transcripts. High school seniors as well as college freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to apply.

6. PicMonkey College Scholarship
Deadline: May 31, 2015

After taking a survey, write a short 400-500 word essay in response to one of two questions; the story behind your favorite photo or a moment you wish you had a photo of. The winner receives $1,000.

7. Sunoco Rewards Scholarships
Deadline: May 31, 2015

Sunoco is offering two $1,000 scholarships; one for designing signage to be used at their stations and the other for coming up with a digital marketing campaign for the company.

8. Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Deadline: June 1, 2015

Probably one of the most famous college scholarships, this contest asks students to make outfits made entirely of Duck brand duct tape to be worn to prom. This isn’t limited to couples; there’s also a category just for singles if you’re planning on attending solo. There’s over $50,000 worth of prizes, while first place winners receive $10,000 each as well as $5,000 for their school.

9. RevZilla Design Scholarship 2015
Deadline: June 1, 2015

This $1,000 scholarship asks applicants to design a new t-shirt for the company. The winner also has their design printed on shirts the winner can hand out to friends and family.

10. Do-Over Scholarship Application 2015
Deadline: June 30, 2015

It’s never good to obsess about the past, but make an exception for this $1,500 scholarship. All you have to do is write a short response up to 250 words to the question “If you could get one ‘do-over’ in life, what would it be and why?”

Editor’s note: This is dated material and does not necessarily reflect how the student financial services office at PUC and the financial process currently operates. Please contact your financial counselor for more information.

10 Scholarships to Apply for This Winter

Leave a reply

If you haven’t already started your scholarship search to help pay for college, now’s the time! At PUC we offer many scholarships for things ranging from athletics to leadership to the creative arts, but the deadline to apply is quickly approaching and we don’t want you to miss out! Remember, you need to be an accepted student and apply before the March 2nd deadline.

There’s also plenty of money available to students outside of what colleges offer, but you just have to look for it. Here’s a list of 10 scholarships open to high school seniors with application deadlines this winter or early spring.

1. Teens for Jeans
Deadline: February 15, 2015

Want a chance to help others and possibly earn some cash for yourself? DoSomething.org is giving away a $10,000 scholarship to a student who organizes a jean drive for the homeless in their community. Every two pairs of jeans donated earns an entry into the scholarship lottery, and there isn’t a limit to the number of entries you can earn.

2. Toyota Teen Video Challenge
Deadline: March 16, 2015

If you’re into making videos, this is the scholarship for you! Create a video encouraging teens to drive safer and you could win $15,000. Another cool perk? If you win, you also get to work with a film crew to reshoot your video entry into a PSA to be aired on TV!

3. Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition
Deadline: March 25, 2015

This scholarship competition is not just open to high school seniors, but also to students in grades 7 through 11. You’re able to submit up to three original haiku poems for a chance to win $50 and have your poem published in Frogpond, the journal of the Haiku Society of America.

4. Superpower Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2015

How many of us have daydreamed what we would do if we had superpowers? The possibilities are endless. This short essay contest asks that you answer the question “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?” The winner receives $2,500 to use towards their education.

5. American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 1, 2015

Taking a 10-question multiple choice test after reading an essay from the American Fire Sprinkler Association could earn you $2,000. For every question you answer correctly, you will receive one entry into a drawing for one of 10 $2,000 scholarships.

6. Project Yellow Light
Deadline: April 1, 2015

In honor of Hunter Garner, who died in a car accident, this scholarship asks students to create a 25 or 55 second video to encourage teens not to drive distracted. The winner receives a $5,000 scholarship, while the second place winner receives $2,000. Third place gets you $1,000.

7. All About Education Scholarship
Deadline: April 30, 2015

It’s no secret college education is expensive. This scholarship asks students to write a short essay in response to the question of “How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?” The winner receives $3,000.

8. CollegeWeekLive Monthly $1,000 Scholarship
Deadline: Monthly

The requirements for this monthly scholarship drawing are pretty simple. Sign up for CollegeWeekLive, research at least three colleges while you’re logged on, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $1,000.

9. Niche.com “No Essay” Scholarship
Deadline: Monthly

I’m not sure scholarships get any easier than this, which is basically a monthly drawing. The winner receives $2,000 for simply entering the drawing.

10. Common Knowledge Scholarship
Deadline: None

Think of this ongoing scholarship program like taking BuzzFeed quizzes, only if you do well, you can receive scholarship money. Competitions include one or more quizzes on topics that range from academic subjects or even books and movies, and the student with the highest score at the end of each competition wins. Students can compete more than once, and are able to receive up to $5,000.

Editor’s note: This is dated material and does not necessarily reflect how the student financial services office at PUC and the financial process currently operates. Please contact your financial counselor for more information.

10 Scholarships to Apply for This Fall

Leave a reply

I hope last month’s “Five Tips for Finding College Scholarships” post inspired many of you to start looking for college scholarships, but if you need a few suggestions, here are 10 scholarships available to high school seniors that have application deadlines within the next few months. Even if you don’t have an amazing GPA, there are plenty of scholarships you may be eligible for! And don’t forget, PUC’s scholarship deadline is March 2nd!

1. Education Matters Scholarship
Deadline: November 31, 2014

These days, there’s a lot in the news about whether or not college is worth it. Spoiler alert: It is. This scholarship asks students to write a short essay in response to the question of “What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?” The winner receives $5,000.

2. Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Deadline: January 14, 2015

Every year, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program awards scholarships to 1,000 minority students who have demonstrated leadership skills by participating in extracurricular activities and community service. Students must be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American and have a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.3.

3. Tall Clubs International Scholarship
Deadline: February 15, 2015

Are you tall? To be more specific, are you a guy that’s at least 6’2” or a girl that’s at least 5’10”? If you are, you should apply for this $1,000 scholarship! You will need to write an essay on the subject of “What Being Tall Means to Me.” Contact Tall Clubs International for more information.

4. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th, 2015

The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides college scholarships of up to $24,000 over four years to minority students that show “leadership potential and dedication to community service” and also demonstrate financial need. Typically 60 students are awarded each year.

5. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest
Deadline: February 18, 2015

If you have even one artistic bone in your body, it’s worth taking the time to apply for this $10,000 scholarship. The contest is to design the front of a greeting card and the winning entry will actually be made and sold as a real greeting card!

6. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Deadline: February 20, 2015

The Vegetarian Resource Group awards scholarships to graduating high school students who have helped to promote vegetarianism in their school or local community. One award of $10,000 is given as well as two awards of $5,000.

7. Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
Deadline: March 3, 2015

Applicants must submit a collage, drawing, graphic design piece, painting, photograph, poem or another creative entry discussing what they hope to achieve in both their personal and professional life after college. Five winners receive $1,000, and the grand prize winner also receives an additional $1,000 to be given to their college.

8. Common Knowledge Scholarship
Deadline: None

Think of this ongoing scholarship program like taking BuzzFeed quizzes, only if you do well, you can receive scholarship money. Competitions include one or more quizzes on topics that range from academic subjects or even books and movies, and the student with the highest score at the end of each competition wins. Students can compete more than once, and are able to receive up to $5,000.

9. Zinch.com $1,000 Weekly Scholarship
Deadline: Weekly

Each week, Zinch posts an essay topic question and the winner with the best answer receives $1,000. The “essays” are limited to 280 characters, which is essentially two tweets on Twitter – hardly anything! Set a reminder on your phone and apply for this scholarship once a week.

10. Niche.com “No Essay” Scholarship
Deadline: Monthly

This $2,000 scholarship is essentially entering a random drawing every month. I don’t think scholarships get any easier. I don’t want to hear any excuses about it, you are all capable of doing this!

Editor’s note: This is dated material and does not necessarily reflect how the student financial services office at PUC and the financial process currently operates. Please contact your financial counselor for more information.

Five Tips for Finding College Scholarships

Leave a reply

It can be really scary thinking about how you’re going to pay for college. The overall price may seem intimidating, but keep in mind that nobody pays that sticker price. Scholarships can substantially lower the price families pay for a college education. PUC offers many scholarships that can help, but the reality is we can’t always offer as much financial aid as some students might need. Don’t worry, though! It’s estimated that there are 1.5 million scholarships in the United States alone, so if you haven’t already, it’s time to start your scholarship search.

1. Think Locally

Take a look around your community for scholarship opportunities – you might be surprised at what you find in your area. Your local Rotary Club and Kiwanis International Club may offer college scholarships, as could your chamber of commerce. Other businesses and community groups could provide college scholarships as well. Your high school guidance counselor may also have ideas of where you can look nearby for scholarships. One big advantage of applying for local scholarships is that there’s far less competition for them than there are for state or national scholarships – you have a greater chance at receiving them! Remember to check with your church too.

2. Get Online

I talk with a lot of students who worry they won’t receive any scholarships since they don’t have a 4.0 GPA, but keep in mind scholarships aren’t just for students with a great GPA. There are non-academic scholarships available based on your major field of interest, hobbies, and more. There are many places you can look online for college scholarships, but I recommend starting with these sites:

  • Fastweb: Fastweb is considered to be the premier scholarship website with over 1 million scholarships worth over $3 billion.
  • GoodCall: Another great resource, SchoolSoup can match you to scholarships you may be eligible for. The site has over 250,000 scholarships.
  • Unigo: This website lists over 3.6 million scholarships worth over $14 million.

Also, take a look at our extensive list of outside scholarships available on our Admissions website. Click the “Helpful Resources” tab on the left-hand side.

3. Write One Good Essay

Obviously, you’re going to need to write more than just one essay when applying for scholarships, but you will likely be able to use certain parts of an essay more than once. Have the basics – your career goals, personal statement, and academic career thus far – perfected, as you will likely use that information repeatedly. These essays could determine whether or not you’re awarded a great deal of money, so it’s worth spending time on them to make sure you present yourself well.

4. Put the Time In

The internet can be both a blessing and a curse. There’s a wealth of information available right at your fingertips, but there are also countless distractions that can quickly take you down the rabbit hole. Before you know it, you’ve spent two hours taking BuzzFeed quizzes and not doing what you intended to do. Treat applying for college scholarships as though it was your job – try spending an hour each day or at least several hours a week searching and applying for scholarships. That time could be the difference in receiving thousands of dollars in scholarships.

When I first began working for Enrollment, our Student Finance office told us the story of a student whose entire first year of college was paid with scholarships. She dedicated herself to applying for 1,000 scholarships, which is just amazing. That may be an unrealistic goal for many of you, but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and set your sights high.

5. Don’t Get Scammed

Unfortunately, there are people out there that try to take advantage of students looking for ways to afford college. Always be careful about the information you give out, and there’s no reason you should ever pay for access to a database of scholarships or to apply for a scholarship. Only apply for scholarships from organizations and websites you trust, and a good rule to follow is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. (If you believe you’ve been a victim of scholarship fraud, immediately contact the California Attorney General’s office at 800-952-5225.)

At PUC, we have several financial counselors ready to help if you have questions about scholarships and how to make college affordable for your family. Call (800) 862-7080, option 1 or email studentfinance@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor today.

Editor’s note: This is dated material and does not necessarily reflect how the student financial services office at PUC and the financial process currently operates. Please contact your financial counselor for more information.