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Scholarships are monetary gifts awarded on the basis of academic performance, other exemplary achievements, or a special talent. Some scholarships are based on financial need, while others are not. Scholarships may come from a community or professional group, a business, labor union, religious organization, or national foundation. The college financial aid office and high school guidance counselors are a reliable source of information on all scholarships. It's important that you begin exploring your financial aid options as early as possible in your high school career.
Institutional (College) Scholarships
Virginia colleges and universities offer many institutional scholarships. You should visit their web site or call the financial aid office as soon as possible.
Community Organization Sponsored Scholarships
Many civic and community groups such as Rotary Club, Elks, American Legion, 4H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, PTA, and others offer scholarships and other assistance. Contact the various patriotic, civic, fraternal, religious, ethnic, social, and professional organizations in your community for more information.
Employer Sponsored Scholarships
Many private businesses and corporations offer scholarships or loans to employees' children or to students who live in the community where the company is located. Others offer aid to students majoring in fields related to the company's activities or interests. Personnel offices at some companies have application information and forms available. Check with online sources and scholarship search engines, as well as your local library for more information.
Professional, Career, and Trade Association Sponsored Scholarships
Libraries have directories of scholarships and loans offered by professional, career, and trade associations in your proposed career or field of study. Also, ask your art or shop instructor, coach or bandmaster about schools and colleges looking for students with your talents. Scholarship leads also may be listed in trade magazines related to your special interests and skills.
National Merit Scholarships
The independent, non-profit Merit Scholarship Corporation awards about 5,000 scholarships each year. Students compete on the basis of test scores, academic and extracurricular achievements, and school recommendations. Taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in the fall of your junior year in high school will enter you in the competition.
Scholarship Search
Click here for a comprehensive scholarship search tool that will give you instant access to over one million scholarships, worth over three billion dollars in aid.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
Please be aware that there are many online scholarship scams. To learn more about these fraudulent organizations, please visit:
Federal Trade Commission site on Scholarship Scams
FinAid
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Applying for Financial Aid 
