Many of you will be applying for scholarships, and each school has a different way of going about this.  Some require an extra essay, or copies of different forms that your parents have, but most are consistent with the fact that you will have an extra form or two to fill out. 

            There are many different scholarships, but they fall into two main categories: need-based and merit-based.  Need- based scholarships require you to fill out extra forms (in addition to the general application forms) and send in copies of official documents that your parents should have access to.  To be considered for a merit scholarship, which is based off achievements, you will have to submit an extra essay and then, you will be notified if you have been chosen. 

            Advice from the guidance office: search for scholarships inside and outside of school.  Have your parents ask at work, or at a community group meeting, such as Knights of Columbus. Churches can provide scholarships as well as some elementary and middle schools that you previously attended. Applying to be in the ROTC is a good way to receive scholarship money if you are interested in the military, and it guarantees a job after college.  Private colleges often offer more scholarship opportunities than public colleges.  

            Guidance has information and links on the school website under Students, Guidance/College Counseling, College Scholarships (http://virginiabeach.va.schoolwebpages.com/education/dept/dept.php?sectiondetailid=153&&timestamp=1065468209).  There are also books on scholarships available in the Guidance office.

            Another avenue is FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), an online scholarship program that you and your parent or guardian should fill out for federal student aid during your college years (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). Or you could try fastweb: a free search engine for college scholarships (http://www.fastweb.com/).  All you have to do is create a username, password, and give them some information about your grades and college preferences, and they will generate a list of scholarships that match your criteria and will send emails updating you about new scholarships that they found and about upcoming scholarship deadlines.  Collegeboard.com also has useful sections on how to spot scam scholarships, where you can find scholarships, and how to apply for a scholarship.

(http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/)

            All in all, be willing to do some work when it comes to applying for scholarships.  You might have to search and fill out lots of paperwork, but in the end  it could save a lot of time and money. 

Click on the links below to learn more about the different scholarships in the Tidewater area:

http://www.hamptonroadscf.org/scholarships/availableUndergraduateScholarships.html

http://www.aaatidewaterva.com/pages/Safety/Scholarship/

http://www.tbaonline.org/scholarship_foundation.php

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/50-scholarships-available-students

http://www.scholarships.com/