We’ve all heard the rumor, right? There are millions in scholarship dollars that go unclaimed every year, and if you can just find them, you can follow a road paved with gold to college.  Is this true?

I’ll ruin the suspense right now—for the most part, no, it’s not true. But like many rumors, there is a small grain of truth in there, so let’s see if we can find it by exploring where scholarships come from, how you find them, and finally, whether any of them go “unclaimed.”

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

Whoever said one person can’t make a difference?  You may be the person who can express in a poster how you can make the world a better place.  Get your creative juices flowing to make a poster and help the Christophers spread the word that everyone can make a difference and there is nobody like you.

Scholarship: Annual Poster Contest for High School Students

Most of us wouldn’t even consider buying a car or a house without negotiating the price, but when it comes to making another major purchase—namely, a college education—negotiation tends not to cross our minds. You may be surprised to learn, however, that many colleges—whether they advertise their flexibility or not—are open to negotiating their price by increasing the scholarship discount they offer. As a College Coach finance educator, I recommend most of the families I work with at least try to negotiate for additional scholarship funding. Not every negotiation attempt will be successful, but here are some tips to maximize your chances of increasing that scholarship offer:

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

Over 10,000 young people die annually as a result of alcohol use.  If this statistic worries you and you love to make videos, this scholarship competition may provide an opportunity for you. High schoolers, create commercials to warn middle school students about the dangers of underage drinking.

Scholarship: Courageous Persuaders Scholarship

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

Live your best life. Winners of this scholarship are doing just that and more! The mission of this foundation, honoring the legendary Bruce Lee, is to “inspire confidence and motivate action” in individuals throughout the world. Scholarship winners are students who share this passion and deeply feel a personal call to action.

Scholarship: BLF Scholarships

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

For students who love to bowl, this opportunity is right up your alley! The Billy Welu Scholarship recognizes a student athlete who excels at the sport of bowling. Named after the late, two-time PBA Hall of Famer and sports commentator, recipients of this award are evaluated on their bowling skills and academic track record.

Scholarship: Billy Welu Scholarship

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

A state-of-the-art Communication and Media Building, a lecture series drawing world-class star power, and a scholarship for three creative Telecommunications students annually are some of the ways that David Letterman has given back to his beloved alma matter, Ball State University. A self-proclaimed “average student,” Mr. Letterman designated the criteria for this yearly award to be based upon “creativity, not grades.”

Scholarship: Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

The National Foster Parent Association has been supporting families since 1972. All dependents—adopted, biological, and fostered—of NFPA members are eligible to apply for this scholarship opportunity.

Scholarship: NFPA Youth Scholarship

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

The Chicana/Latina Foundation (CLF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to empower Chicanas/Latinas through personal, educational, and professional advancement.” Scholarship recipients must commit to attending a CLF Leadership Institute, as well as give back to CLF through personal volunteer efforts.

Scholarship: Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier.

Bobby Fisher famously said, “All that matters on the chess board is good moves.” For chess players thinking about attending the University of Texas at Dallas, applying for a competitive chess scholarship is a great move! These awards help team recruitment and support the recipients by offering cash for college. Checkmate!

Scholarship: UTD Chess Scholarships