Local Scholarship Opportunities Right Outside your Backdoor

Ninety percent of all scholarships come  from a student’s the local community. There are a lot of great resources and Web sites available to help you find these local opportunities.  Take a look at some of the more popular resources available to help you find free money!

Lake Region Scholarship Foundation (www.lrscholarship.org) has awarded more than 3.4 million in scholarships to more than 3300 recipients since 1956. There are over 450 local donors, some of whom supported the Foundation for 50 years. Close to 300 students receive some form of scholarship each year.

Recipients must be graduates of Laconia High School, Gilford High school or Belmont High School or legal residents of Laconia, Gilford or Belmont to be eligible.
The application is available at the Web site to download.

NH93 Scholarship Superhighway (www.NH93.com) allows New Hampshire students to create a personalized profile that can be matched against a database of local opportunities. The project is a partnership between the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the NHHEAF Network Organizations. Students can search for scholarships based on high school, majors or club/activity involvement. The web site features local and regional scholarships for New Hampshire students.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (www.nhcf.org) has distributed over $35 million to New Hampshire students since 1972. This is the largest source of independent student aid in New Hampshire. There are over 350 separate funds established by individuals, families, organizations and businesses, all to support higher education. While most of the scholarships and loans are awarded to students entering college, already in college, or pursuing a graduate degree; the Foundation continually looks for new ways to deliver scholarship services to less traditional types of adult students returning to school or exploring training opportunities.

Dollars for Scholars (www.scholarshipamerica.org) is a national network of more than 1,200 community-based, volunteer-driven scholarship foundations in cities, towns and neighborhoods throughout the United States. Dollars for Scholars has awarded more than $29 million in scholarships to about 35,000 students. The common element in Dollars for Scholars chapters is community-based fundraising for scholarships awarded to local students. The program mobilizes and unites local citizens and encourages local students to reach for and achieve their educational goals. Please visit the Web site to search for scholarships from your local chapter!

Consider a parent’s (or spouse’s) work place. Look at local awards from civic organizations. Search for awards from private trusts. Many local organizations provide scholarships to the local high schools and libraries. Contact the guidance office at your high school for other local opportunities.

While you have a higher chance for award from these local organizations, consider some of the National Search Databases such as fastweb.com and collegeboard.com.