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Scholarships. Find free money for college.

Each year, countless private scholarships offer millions of dollars in support! While the search for these opportunities can be quite a journey, the rewards are absolutely worth it when you secure funds that don’t need to be repaid. By exploring scholarships, you can minimize borrowing and ease your financial burden for college. Embrace the possibilities—they're out there waiting for you!

RISLA College Planning Center provides free services to support students in preparing, planning, and funding their college journey!

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Scholarship Tips for Parents & Students!

Check out the scholarship video with helpful tips for funding your college journey! Scholarships can significantly lessen your borrowing, making education more affordable and attainable. Don’t miss it!

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Types of Scholarships

Institutional Scholarships

Many colleges offer merit scholarships based on academic criteria like GPA, SAT scores, class rank, or other talents. When asking about merit aid, consider these questions:

What types of scholarships do you offer, and what are the dollar amounts?
What are the criteria for the scholarships?
If I meet the criteria, am I guaranteed to get one?
Is the scholarship available each semester or each school year?

Private Scholarships

Exciting opportunities await through scholarships from businesses, community organizations, and foundations! They can be based on factors like financial need, academic achievements, residency, or even specific fields of study. Embrace the chance to explore and apply—discovering what you qualify for might surprise you! Taking the initiative can lead to wonderful possibilities, so let’s dive in and see what’s out there!

Increase your chance to win a scholarship.

We have several tips that can help you increase your chances of receiving a scholarship for college.

Apply for Local Scholarships

Local scholarships usually attract fewer applicants, improving your chances of winning.

Apply for Scholarships with Smaller Awards

Students often concentrate on higher-value awards, neglecting smaller scholarships with fewer applicants.

Complete all Scholarship Requirements

If you leave a question unanswered, you risk disqualification. Make sure to review your application multiple times to ensure all questions are answered accurately.

Your Effort Can Pay Off

It's important to avoid procrastination; instead, make a conscious effort to put in your best work and give it your all. Embracing this mindset not only helps you achieve your goals but also builds a strong sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Pay Attention to Word Limit

Stick to the application requirements. It’s always a good idea to stay within the word limit so you don’t risk disqualification. Good luck!

Proofread Your Essay

Sending off an essay with a few typos or grammar slips can feel a bit embarrassing! It’s always a great idea to ask a family member or friend to take a look for you. They can help catch any mistakes and make your writing shine!

Meet the Deadline

It's a good idea to avoid waiting until the last minute to submit your application. You wouldn't want to log on and run into any computer issues! Give yourself plenty of time to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Keep Applying for Scholarships

Be sure to apply for as many scholarships as you can! The more applications you send out, the better your chances of receiving some financial support. Good luck, and remember to put your best foot forward with each application!

Local versus National Scholarships

Local Scholarships

Scholarships are not limited to straight-A students and top athletes. In Rhode Island, many are awarded based on financial need or specific criteria, such as being an employee's child, belonging to a religious group, being part of a minority community, or students who demonstrate financial need.

Searching for local scholarships is a smart way to help cover college expenses. Though the awards may be smaller than national ones, they are often easier to obtain due to fewer applicants.

National Scholarships

National scholarships do not have residency restrictions, meaning applicants do not need to live in a specific area to qualify. The selection criteria may include gender, degree program, GPA, military affiliation, and ethnicity. Some programs may only require applicants to be current students.

Many of these programs receive a large number of applications and may offer multiple awards. National scholarships are generally easier to find because they are often sponsored by large companies or associations that have the resources to promote their offerings online.

Scholarship Scams

Scholarship scams are real, so it's important to be cautious and to recognize the warning signs to protect yourself. If you come across someone claiming to be a "donor" who asks you to process your application or makes any of the following requests, it's best to avoid them altogether.

Typically, scholarships are awarded directly to the school in your name or are made co-payable to you and the school. If you are asked for any of the following, proceed with extreme caution or do not engage at all.

They need credit card or bank account information.

They tell you that the scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.

You've randomly been selected to receive a $X, XXX scholarship.

They tell you that you can't get this information anywhere else.

Be Cautious

Stay motivated—many free resources can help you find and apply for scholarships. Always research the scholarship, never send money, and be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers.

Myths about Scholarships

Many myths can make students hesitant to seek free money for their education. Don’t let these misunderstandings stop you! There are plenty of scholarships and financial aid options that can help you achieve your educational goals.

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We are with you for the journey.

College Planning

A free service aimed at helping students achieve their goal of attending college and paying for it. The CPC assists thousands of students and families each year in planning for higher education.

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Scholarship Hub

Check out how to prepare for college—access free tools and resources. Find local scholarships for college, and parents and students can enter to win $2,000 in college scholarships!

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Student Loans

Our student loans offer flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, and a simple application process, making them an ideal choice for parents and students.

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Refinancing

With our refinancing options, you can enjoy the benefits of low fixed interest rates, no fees, and an auto-pay discount. Take advantage of this opportunity to save money and simplify your finances.

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Explore Scholarships

Types of Financial Aid.

Scholarships. Find free money for college.

Scholarship Tips for Parents & Students!

Types of Scholarships

Institutional Scholarships

Private Scholarships

Increase your chance to win a scholarship.

Apply for Local Scholarships

Apply for Scholarships with Smaller Awards

Complete all Scholarship Requirements

Your Effort Can Pay Off

Pay Attention to Word Limit

Proofread Your Essay

Meet the Deadline

Keep Applying for Scholarships

Local versus National Scholarships

Local Scholarships

National Scholarships

Scholarship Scams

They need credit card or bank account information.

They tell you that the scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.

You've randomly been selected to receive a $X, XXX scholarship.

They tell you that you can't get this information anywhere else.

Be Cautious

The Financial Aid Guide

Myths about Scholarships

RISLA Scholarship Hub

Helping parents & students pay for college.

Enter to Win!

Knowledge for College Scholarship!

rischolarships.org

A free scholarship search tool!

We are with you for the journey.

College Planning

Scholarship Hub

Student Loans

Refinancing

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