Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities

Looking For a Scholarship?

Here are some tips to help you out!

1. Search for scholarships even after you are enrolled in college.
2.  Use a free scholarship matching service like
   1. Fastweb.com
   2. scholarships.com
   3. bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
   4. highfivescholarships.com
   5. nextstepu.com
   6. scholarshipexperts.com
   7. colleges.niche.com
   8. MustangJobs
3. Look for scholarships on bulletin boards in different offices
   1. Financial Aid Office
   2. Library
   3. Careers Services
   4. Housing
   5. University Union
4. Apply to every scholarship for which you are eligible. Pursue less competitive scholarships, such as small awards and essay contests, since they are easier to win and the money adds up
5. Don’t miss deadlines. Use a calendar and checklist to get organized.
6. Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals. Read and follow the instructions carefully.
7. Personalize essay and be passionate. Write about something of interest to you. Make your application stands out from the crowd. Talk about your impact on other people. Give examples and be specific.
8. Google your name and make sure you have a professional online profile. Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com or your calpoly alias. Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material.
9. Proofread your essay and the application for spelling and grammar errors. Have others revise your work, there’s an opportunity at the Writing and Rhetoric Center.
10. Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it.
11. Send a thank you note whether or not you are awarded the scholarship.

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