I am a huge fan of local scholarships. By applying to multiple local scholarships during my senior year of high school, I was able to fund a significant portion of the cost for my freshman year of college. Why was this? I applied to many! And it’s likely that other students in my area did not take the time or effort to apply. When the applicant pool is low, the probability of being awarded the scholarship increases.

In general, there is also a high possibility that students may not be aware of all the local scholarship opportunities available to them. Local organizations do not have the marketing capability to advertise their scholarships widely like nationally recognized companies, so if you’re interested in applying for what is available in your area, you may have to do a little legwork. But the effort can pay off in big rewards!

Here are some resources for where to find local scholarships near you:

• High School Guidance Office: Your school’s guidance office is your best resource for local scholarships, as they will usually keep a filing system of all or most of what they know of is available in your area
• College Financial Aid Office: The financial aid office at your college, or the college you are planning to attend, might track local scholarships in the area for incoming freshmen to seniors and beyond
• Libraries and Community or Recreation Centers: Peruse the bulletin boards, review community newsletters, or ask directly at these locations to find scholarship opportunities; your neighborhood YMCA - open in new window can be a great resource
• Local Government Website: Check government websites for education grants and scholarships available in your town, city, or state
• Community Organizations: Many local charities support students, such as the Lions Club - open in new window, Elks Club - open in new window, and Rotary Club - open in new window
• Local Businesses: Credit unions, banks, and local offices may provide funds for students looking to continue their education; check in with your local Chamber of Commerce for direction
• Social Media and Local News: Some scholarships are advertised through local Facebook groups, X, Instagram, or the community newspaper
• Parent or Guardian’s Employer: Check with your parent or guardian’s company to see if they offer scholarships to dependents, or even ask the company you work for if you have a part-time job; Chick-fil-A - open in new window is a great example of companies that offer these benefits
• Places of Worship: Churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious organizations may sometimes offer scholarships
• Local Scholarship Funding: There are national scholarship programs that have local chapters driven by volunteers to reward students involved in their communities; one example of a chapter like this is Dollars for Scholars - open in new window

Once you find the scholarships you’d like to apply for, remember these tips:

• Apply Early: Some local scholarships may have deadlines earlier on in the school calendar; be sure to research as soon as possible and keep track of these deadlines
• Apply to Many: The more scholarships you apply for, the more likely it is you will receive an award
• Work Smarter: Many local scholarships may have similar essay questions or application forms, so pay attention to these similarities and leverage your efforts by adjusting your writing instead of starting from scratch each time
• Show Local Involvement: Many organizations would like to award students who have demonstrated care and participation in the local community
• Write a Strong Essay: Tailor your essay to highlight your community involvement and future goals
• Highlight the Mission: If you are applying to a local organization or business, do your research and learn about what the mission is for that organization; it’s a wise idea to incorporate the mission statement into your writing or application form
• Proofread: It’s always best to have a teacher or mentor read through your application for clarity and grammatical errors
• Follow Instructions: Read the scholarship description closely, follow the instructions, meet the deadline given, and submit the requested materials—essay, transcripts, etc.—in the format specified (not following the rules might get an applicant disqualified!)

One final thing to note: don’t be deterred by scholarships with lower dollar amounts. It is easy to get lured into applying for the national $25,000 scholarships, but the applicant pools are often so large that you end up as a small fish in a big pond. Local scholarships may top out at $500, $1,000, or $2,500, but if you apply to many local scholarships, your chances of receiving the rewards and the funds adding up are greater. Every little bit of savings helps lower your bottom-dollar cost for college!

If you would like to learn more scholarship tips, check out our article, 10 Tips for Earning Private Scholarships or watch our recorded webinar, Applying for College Scholarships. For personalized guidance, feel free to give us a call at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or send us an email at collegeplanning@mefa.org. - open in new window