Prioritize your scholarship search and applications:

The best sources of merit aid, otherwise known as scholarships, are the following:
  1. Colleges and Universities, especially private schools - see types of aid and eligibility guidelines on college financial aid sites
  2. RaiseMe - click on the link below to earn micro scholarships and don't leave any money on the table
  3. ​Local Scholarships - see tips below
I encourage students to prioritize their academics, most impactful activities, and test prep as these are the things that will prepare them for college and improve both their chances of admission and their eligibility for merit aid. It won't hurt to register with a few scholarship search sites, but unless students are totally on top of their academics, etc. spending a lot of time writing essays for outside scholarships can be counterproductive.
Note:  
If you are eligible for need-based aid, check with your college to see how they handle outside scholarships. Most will reduce self-help aid (loans and work-study) first. If you get outside funding beyond that, the schools will often reduce their scholarship and grant aid. If you are not receiving any need based aid, go for it and get as much outside help as you can!

Join RaiseMe to earn micro-scholarships:
​complete your online resume and "follow" schools.
See how much merit aid you are guaranteed at each school in real time!

Local Scholarships are a great place to start as there is a smaller pool of applicants

  1. Many high schools provide a streamlined application process for local scholarships which are given out at a senior awards night. Check with your Guidance Counselor about local scholarship applications and timelines
  2. Log in to Naviance, click on Colleges, and scroll down to click on Scholarships to see a list of local and national scholarships you may be eligible to apply for
  3. You can even look at nearby high school websites
  4.  Look for scholarships sponsored by organizations that you, your parents, or guardians are affiliated with (banks, employers, local clubs, local libraries, heritage clubs, even stores you shop at)

Check out the following scholarship search sites:

 Please also  refer to College Possibilities Project under the Resources tab for a list of scholarships for first generation, undocumented, and under-represented students.

This site provides a lot of information about the types of aid available to students and a nice listing of scholarships specifically for students with disabilities. Note: There are advertisements for private loans, which I would only recommend after Federal Student Loan options have been exhausted and there is still a gap.With careful planning, this is rarely necessary for my students.
Books to Consider:
  1. Kantrowitz, Mark.  - Secrets to Winning a Scholarship
  2. Cassidy, Daniel J. - The Scholarship Book
  3. Leider, Anna & Robert - Don't Miss Out, The Ambitious Student’s Guide to Financial Aid