cause most scholarships are for juniors and seniors to apply for, and even college students. i really want to get started right now.

It is a bit too early to actually apply, but NOT too early to start searching for scholarships tailored for you. Start a notebook or something to keep track of the scholarships/ grants you may be interested in, what are the requirements, can you get a copy of this year’s application( it will probably be very similar to next year’s application).
Get your credentials in order… are you doing your best to get high grades? Are you preparing for your college entrance exams? Are you involved in a variety of activities so that you will look balanced to the scholarship committee? ( usually at least one school, one community activity, leadership roles look good too 4-H, Scouts, church groups, community service groups etc.) Do you have a clue about what you want to do for a career? If so, there are often scholarships for specific careers. In the summer can you get a job or internship in your career area? If you are not sure, there are programs at your high school or local community college which will help you evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and interests to help you determine possible career areas.

Also, rarely does someone get a free ride scholarship. You may want to have a some money in savings to help with the first year. I would say a minimum of $3000 for an average college, more if you are headed to a big name school. Start saving now.

Also, take advantage of those college nights or college fairs, where you can get information about several colleges in a few hours… it saves gas and time. When you have narrowed your choices to say 3 to 5, see if you can make campus visits, take a tour etc. You might have a community college on one end of your choices( they are usually fairly easy to get into) and a dream college on the other end of your list. ( Don’t let the price scare you off, the base amount that you are expected to pay may be the same for either end college, you just need more scholarships, grants, loans, work study programs etc, to make up the difference.)
There are usually books about scholarships and programs at your local library, counselor’s office etc. Check the bulletin boards outside the counselor’s offices. Also, I am including a link which worked well for my family. It will take your information and help screen for the most appropriate scholarships for you. It will also keep sending you e mails about new scholarships that meet your criteria.

Have you thought about references yet? many scholarships ask for one to three references from adults, not family members. Who knows you well enough to give you a good reference? Are they willing to do that? Ask them. Never put down a reference without permission. At this point you are just asking permission, they don’t even have to do anything yet. Most people will say yes. Then next year, with the reference form in hand, you can remind them, " Remember when I asked if you would be willing to be a reference, well….)

Where are your parents in all of this? Even if they are not rich, you will need their cooperation for tax forms, permission forms etc. Are they okay with you going to college? If not, things are harder, but not impossible.

Finally, many scholarships and grants ask for an "Essay." Use the practice applications from this year to get an idea of what the sponsors want. Start working on the essays now… just think, in a year they will be polished , edited, brief and to the point. Sometimes you will be interviewed. Practice essays help you clarify your thoughts so you are less likely to go braindead during an actual interview.

Get going, you will have an advantage over all those kids who wait until junior or senior year to even think about these things.

I heard somewhere that you can get a college scholarship or grant if one of your parents is incarcerated. If anyone has any information on this subject I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

well, you can apply for all scholarships and tell them (in your essay they require) how you overcame all of that, and beat the odds.

i’m proud of ya, and your not even my kid. good for you!!

try to aim for grants/scholarships more… they are not to be paid back. its confusing sometimes, but just keep applying.

every big (and small) company you see (manufacturer, orgs, corps and groups also) all have grants and scholarships they hand out like candy. Walmart, Kmart, Target, Coke, computer companies etc etc etc

heres a link with a HUGE amount of some available. some you will need to copy and paste into a new window. also, fastweb (take the time to fill it in) will search databases and get back to you with a list of scholarships you qualify for.

Also contact all mens, womens associations in your state, they almost always have grants & scholarships. What ever field you are going into, contact the orgs, associations etc for them; Also check with professional organizations related to your career interests, such as the American Bar Association or the American Medical Association. they also always have scholarships. Research and dig, call then write. Its all worth it.

OVER apply; it doesnt hurt to have too many, and the extra funds can help with housing.

http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/njcomputerchick/school.html

MORE:

http://college-scholarships.com/

http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/grants.asp

http://www.gmsp.org

http://www.gmsp.org/gmsp_web/(nb5ctd55gavpfi55bb3a3j45)/scholarships.aspx

http://www.sfa.ufl.edu:16080/scholarshipcafe/

http://www.fafsaonline.com/

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html

http://www.salliemae.com/

http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml

http://www.studentawards.com/

http://www.collegeanswer.com/index.jsp

http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/

http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/Detailed/Scholarships/Meta_indexes_and_other_scholarship_directories/Women_s_and_Non-traditional_students_scholarships_meta-directory_126.php

http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-scholarship-search

http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/DSA/nsl.htm

http://www.nsna.org/foundation/

http://www.4cnas.com

http://www.schoolsoup.com/

http://www.blackexcel.org/link4.htm

http://www.jackierobinson.org/

http://www.siemens-foundation.org/TeacherScholarship/

http://www.childcareservices.org/ps/teach.html

http://www.act.org/goldwater/yybull.html

http://www.uncf.org/

http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm <-do search for ‘scholarships’

http://www.finaid.org/

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

http://www.actstudent.org/finaid/scholarshipscams.html

http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html

http://www.act.org/kfcscholars/index.html

http://www.kfcscholars.org/

http://www.rhodesscholar.org/

http://www.collegedata.com/

http://www.fastweb.com/

http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/gPg.cfm?pageID=139

http://www.policylink.org/EDTK/AH101/Financing.html#4

http://www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm

BECOMING A TEACHER

http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/becoming.htm

http://www.fseog.com/

DEPENDENCY or NOT

http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/apply_student_loan/understanding/financial_aid/dependency/

LOAN FORGIVENESS (nurses/teachers)

http://www.pheaa.org/loanforgiveness/healthier_futures.shtml

http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/loanforgiveness.htm

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp?tab=repaying

STATUS of your student gov loan or aid:

http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

if you don’t have a PIN yet (for your loan / aid status) apply for one:

http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

ESSAY HELP

http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/

http://www.gradesaver.com/resources/scholarship.html

http://www.collegeadmissionsessays.com/

http://www.nataviguides.com/broke_essay.html

http://www.princetonreview.com/college/apply/articles/process/essayjump.asp

http://www.scholarshipessay.us/

http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-brainstorming.php

http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-topic.php

http://essayedge.com/

http://www.korepetycje.com/Essays_Articles/scholarshipessay.html

GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SCAM LIST
(if you find a scam report it here too)

http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer/media_psas_classads.html

LOANS

http://www.acteducationloans.com/

http://www.finaid.org/loans/educationlenders.phtml

http://www.financialaid.com/plus/index.cfm?id=plusloans

http://www.alternativestudentloan.com/

http://www.parentplusloan.com/

http://www.financialaidpodcast.com/about/

http://www.myspace.com/financialaidpodcast

http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com

GRAD LOANS

http://www.gradloans.com/graduate-plus-loan/

DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/index.html

CONSOLIDATE LOANS

http://www.plusloanconsolidator.com/

http://www.salliemae.com/after_graduation/manage_your_loans/consolidate_student_loans/student_loan_consolidation.htm

http://www.salliemae.com/content/privateconsolidation/index.html

http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/

RATE MY PROFESSORS

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/index.jsp