How to Find Scholarship Opportunities

So, as a graduate student, it can be difficult to know how to find scholarship opportunities. There is barely enough time in the day to search for scholarships during college let alone all the time it takes to apply for them. Graduate school can be way more stressful when you have money concerns and a lack of resources. Before you start looking at part-time jobs and jobs where you can work from home that you know you do not have enough time for, consider the following ways you can learn how to find scholarship opportunities.

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Join Listservs!

Joining listservs that are aligned with your interests and/or with your role as a college student can provide some good ways to network and connect with opportunities. Join listservs with your university and with different organizations you are members of. I’m a part of multiple listservs with the American Psychological Association (APA) because of my membership and interests in multiple divisions APA has to offer. Through those listservs, I have gotten emails about research studies that include gift card compensation and emails about scholarships I would be eligible for through my membership and interest in a particular topic.

Join Groups!

Through the listservs, I have also gotten emails about Facebook groups that I can join that offer advice, resources, and scholarships. I joined two Facebook groups that are relevant to my experience as a graduate student which helps me connect with other graduate students and connect with resources that have helped others. Scholarships mentioned by Facebook groups are ones you would not typically be aware of or exposed to so you wouldn’t even know to apply! Joining organizations and groups through your university can also provide scholarships and opportunities to gain experiences for future scholarships.

Search your University’s website!

This one might seem obvious, but I know for myself that with how busy I am with school that I forgot about the fact that I could search for scholarship applications and opportunities with my own university’s website. An initial Google search for your university name and scholarships can bring up potential lists of scholarships and fellowships available and different qualifications. Just make sure to update your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to be able to apply for financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans).

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Apply!

Don’t forget that finding scholarship opportunities is only the first step of the process. After finding scholarships and funding opportunities, then you have to be sure to apply by the deadline. Since you might be eligible for a long list of scholarships, it is important to apply to scholarships that you have the most qualifications for first, so you increase your chances of getting one. Once you complete your most qualified scholarships, then apply for others that you are also qualified to apply to because you never know if anyone has applied for them and how high your chances can really be. Do not shy away from the lower amount of money scholarships because most people are going to be applying for the higher amount of money scholarships (so your chances will be better!).