I'm in College, Can I Still Apply for Some Scholarships?

College / University Scholarships

• The primary source of scholarships for current college students should be the student's own university. Colleges typically have a wide variety of scholarships available for current students. Alumni or privately donors often fund scholarships for specific majors or demographics. Schools often provide merit-based scholarships based on grade-point average or essay contests. Students with demonstrable need may apply for need-based scholarships. And special circumstances -- like having a deceased parent in public service -- can also make a student eligible for university aid. Current college scholarships may also be available to students whose parent or another relative attended the college.
  
  

Class Ranking Scholarships

• Far from being excluded from applying for scholarships, many scholarships are actually issued to current college students according to class ranking: For example, some types of scholarships are only available to college sophomores. The only class level that is unable to search and apply for this type of scholarship are current college seniors, who don't have another year of school ahead of them to apply a scholarship. Rising seniors -- those who have completed their junior year but not yet begun their senior year -- can still apply scholarships to their final year of classes.
  
  

Miscellaneous Scholarships

• Scholarships are available for a wide variety of criteria. Some are based on physical criteria, like scholarships given for college students over or under a certain height, or college students who are left-handed. Others depend on mental prowess, and are based on grade- point averages and essay contests. These scholarships are funded by a wide range of sources, from private individuals and family trusts to non-profit organizations and governmental departments. Resources for finding this type of scholarship include your school's financial aid department; community organizations like the Rotary Club; online scholarship databases where students input criteria like hometown, hobbies, and community involvement.
  
  

Postgraduate Scholarships

• College seniors going on to pursue a postgraduate degree, like a masters program or Ph.D., are also eligible for continued scholarships. Like other scholarships, postgraduate scholarships are available for a wide range of qualifications and criteria. Common eligibility elements include undergraduate grade-point average; the program being pursued, and need- or merit-based qualifications.