The short answer is to get money; you have to ask for it. Columbia College students have applied for and won scholarship money from non-military outside sources to the tune of over $200,000 this year alone.
You can be considered for a scholarship for any of the following reasons (and more):
There's a lot of advice out there on the best way to apply for scholarships and it comes down to using common sense and following directions carefully. We have linked what we believe are the best scholarship sites, search engines, and helpful tips to assist you in searching for and winning scholarships.
The Financial Aid Facts site is an unbiased, summarized, comprehensive review of the who, what, when, where, and how of obtaining scholarships.
There are many independent sites full of tips and advice on how to have your application stand out in the crowd. Because scholarships can be difficult to find, apply for, and win, you may need some guidance. The FreSch site gives you real-world advice, suggestions, tips, hints, tricks, and information, written by real students who have won scholarships and by scholarship judges! This is all intended to help you improve your odds of winning a scholarship.
The College Board is a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education.
This Quick Reference Guide from Fast Web is one of the most known scholarship finder services. It provides practical advice for students on how to win a scholarship, as well as common mistakes to avoid, and a list of key scholarship resources.
Sallie Mae offers free access to an award database that contains more than 3 million scholarships worth over $16 billion. Individuals can browse scholarships or utilize Sallie Mae's scholarship search. Please note: you must register to be able to use the scholarship search.
Once you've located possible scholarship opportunities, it's time to apply. All scholarship applications will require you to tell something about yourself. Some ask for greater detail than others, but the important thing to remember is to spend your time wisely. Apply for those scholarships that afford you the best opportunity to win.
The scholarship listing is intended as a reference to help students find external scholarships. Columbia College cannot guarantee availability of the external scholarships listed. Students should contact the scholarship awarding agency or links provided for additional information regarding eligibility requirements, application procedures, and terms and conditions.