High School

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Scholarships

The Scholarships, Links, and Information

Listing on here is offered as a service to the students and parents of Wilson School District and is not an endorsement of the programs by the Wilson School District or Wilson Senior High School.

To start your scholarship search: Talk to your school counselor, check with your college’s financial aid office, visit the library, ask local businesses/organizations, and go to online scholarship search engines (below). Most of the search engines below are for any grade student.

Scholarship Search Websites
How to use Scholarship Resources
Scholarship Search Tips
Beware of Scams
Report Scams

 

Scholarship Search Websites

Recommended First

Review of Best Scholarship Platforms

Guide to Applying for Scholarships

Additional Sites

Trade Scholarships

For a partial accounting of scholarships available to undocumented students, see lists by

* Educators for Fair Consideration (www.e4fc.org/scholarshiplists.html)

* United We Dream (https://unitedwedream.org/blog/scholarships-open-undocumentedstudents/)

* TheDream.us (www.thedream.us/scholarships/)

* Hispanic Scholarship Fund (www.hsf.net/)

* Open Society Foundation (www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about/programs/scholarship-programs).

United States Department of Education, Office of Post Secondary Education

How to use Scholarship Resources/Searches

  • Most scholarships are gift aid, which does not need to be repaid. However, some scholarships come with requirements that, if not met, convert the award to a loan. Make sure you understand all terms and conditions before accepting an award.
  • Scholarships may be awarded based on a variety of things, including academic merit, athletic ability, the field of study, ethnic background, religious affiliation, and special interests.
  • Many scholarship organizations require applicants to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Scholarship Search Tips

  1. Begin your search early and conduct as much research as you can.  Apply for every scholarship for which you are eligible.
  2. Meet all deadlines.
  3. Follow directions.  Provide everything that is requested, but no more than is required.
  4. List all activities and honors, highlighting those that are relevant to the scholarship.
  5. Neatness counts.  Type your application.
  6.  Make a photocopy of the application before you begin. If you make a mistake, you can start fresh with a clean copy.  Also make a copy of the completed application so you can resent it if the original is lost.
  7.  Ask for help if you need it.  Don’t hesitate to call the funding organization.
  8.  Write an essay that makes a strong impression. Tell a story and use personal examples.
  9. Choose references that know you well and give them plenty of time to write a recommendation.
  10. Give your application (and/or essay) a once over.  Ask a friend, teacher, or parent to proofread it.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

  • Read the fine print and make sure you understand all terms and conditions before accepting an award.
  • Be wary of companies that “guarantee” you will receive a scholarship, especially if their offer was unsolicited and/or they are requiring that you pay money for their services.
  • Never provide any confidential or personal identification information to an unfamiliar person of organization.
  • Remember that there are many free scholarship searches available where you can get all the information you need at no charge.
  • Contact the financial aid office at your college with any questions or concerns.
  • Learn more about financial aid scams at the Federal Trade Commission’s Scholarship Scams Website: www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
  • Call the Federal Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-MISUSED (647-8733) to report suspected identity theft or fraud.  A MISUSED online resource is also available.

Scams Warning Signs

  • You have to pay a fee or “taxes”
  • Money-back offers or guarantees
  • Credit card or bank account information required
  • Provides “exclusive” information

Scams: “Phishing” and “Pharming”

“Phishing”

  • Unsolicited emails that bear the logo of your bank or credit card
  • Appear legitimate but are traps to lure you into giving out your personal or account information
  • NEVER give out Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers to unsolicited emails or calls

“Pharming”

  • Unsolicited emails that encourage you to visit a website or click on a suspicious link
  • Make sure your inbox spam filters are up to date
  • BE CAREFUL about giving out your contact information or email address

Report Scams

  • National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    • File an online complaint at http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
    • call 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
    • or write to
      •  Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
      •  Consumer Response Center
      •  600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
      •  Washington, DC 20580
  • State Attorney General’s Office
    • File your complaint with Consumer Protection Division in your state.  Visitwww.naag.org to find your state Attorney General’s Office
  • US Postal Inspection Services (USPIS)
  • Inspection Service Support Group
    • 222S. Riverside Plaza, Ste. 1250
    • Chicago, IL 60606-6100
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB)
    • File an online complaint about a business at www.bbb.org or call 703-276-0100

Some of this information was adapted from www.mapyourfuture.org