Step 1: The first step is always submitting the FAFSA found at http://www.fafsa.gov/
This is the “FREE application for student aid”. (Don’t fall for frauds that have a similar web address and ask for payment!) This will require you AND your student to set up an FSA ID.
The FAFSA opens every October 1 and should be filled out the fall PRIOR to when your student begins college. (Ex. Fill it out in October 2024 if your child will be a college freshman in August 2025.) You will get to choose which colleges you want your FAFSA information sent to.
Step 2: Institutional Scholarships- Colleges offer both merit-based scholarships (based on test scores/GPA) and need-based scholarships (based on the financial information submitted in your FAFSA).
Don’t rule out a college based on their listed cost! Some private colleges have more scholarships to give away then public universities and end up being the same price or less! (I like to compare it to shopping at Kohl’s….you never pay what is on the price tag and if you utilize scholarships well, you can end up getting a really good deal!)
Colleges usually give you a “financial offer” at the same time as your acceptance.
Attending Carroll Community College? Many scholarships are available on their website. You must have completed the FAFSA. The portal usually opens mid-February to mid-March.
Step 3: Apply for local scholarships…and pay attention to the DEADLINES! You have a better chance of getting local scholarships because you are only competing against other people in the area, with national level scholarships you are competing with people all around the country.
1. If you are a Carroll County Resident, start at the Carroll Community Foundation where there are 75 scholarships housed! You submit ONE application in their portal and it automatically submits it to any of the scholarships that you qualify for! Deadline is April 15. https://www.wearecarroll.org/scholarships/
2. EVERY state representative and senator offers scholarships if you are applying to a Maryland state school, look on their websites here are some for this area:
Senator Justin Ready- District 5, Deadline. April 15
Senator Chris West District 42 Hampstead area students.
Delegate Chris Tomlinson Scholarship May 1st deadline
Delegate Josh Stonko- Hampstead area students
Delegate April Rose- Live in District 5
Delegate Christopher Bouchat District 5 Manchester Area
3. Look up the Town you live in…The Town of Manchester, Hampstead, etc. all have scholarships listed on their websites!
4. Local community groups…The Lions Club, The Elks, The Rotary Club, The Kiwanis, etc. ALL give scholarships, look at your local chapter’s website to apply.
5. Local banks & credit unions- you have to have an account there, so check the website for YOUR bank!
6. What have you been involved in? 4-H clubs offer scholarships, the North Carroll Rec Council offers scholarships, whatever you have been involved while in school, check their websites!
Step 4: Look for career specific scholarships:
Going into the Arts?
Check out the scholarships that the Carroll Arts Center provides: https://carrollcountyartscouncil.org/scholarships/
Going into business? South Carroll Business Association and North Carroll Business Alliance both offer scholarships.
Going into education or nursing…there are too many to list!
Step 5: Finally, if you are feeling really inspired, check out this book by Kristina Ellis (featured by Ramsey):
Confessions of a Scholarship Winner: The Secrets That Helped Me Win $500,000 in Free Money for College- How You Can Too!
Joe and Becky Paschal are the proud parents of three amazing young adults. This May, their eldest daughter Carolyne will be graduating from Taylor University. Their middle child, Abigail, is currently a freshman at Gordon College, and their youngest, Will, is a sophomore at CHA.
This is the “FREE application for student aid”. (Don’t fall for frauds that have a similar web address and ask for payment!) This will require you AND your student to set up an FSA ID.
The FAFSA opens every October 1 and should be filled out the fall PRIOR to when your student begins college. (Ex. Fill it out in October 2024 if your child will be a college freshman in August 2025.) You will get to choose which colleges you want your FAFSA information sent to.
Step 2: Institutional Scholarships- Colleges offer both merit-based scholarships (based on test scores/GPA) and need-based scholarships (based on the financial information submitted in your FAFSA).
Don’t rule out a college based on their listed cost! Some private colleges have more scholarships to give away then public universities and end up being the same price or less! (I like to compare it to shopping at Kohl’s….you never pay what is on the price tag and if you utilize scholarships well, you can end up getting a really good deal!)
Colleges usually give you a “financial offer” at the same time as your acceptance.
Attending Carroll Community College? Many scholarships are available on their website. You must have completed the FAFSA. The portal usually opens mid-February to mid-March.
Step 3: Apply for local scholarships…and pay attention to the DEADLINES! You have a better chance of getting local scholarships because you are only competing against other people in the area, with national level scholarships you are competing with people all around the country.
1. If you are a Carroll County Resident, start at the Carroll Community Foundation where there are 75 scholarships housed! You submit ONE application in their portal and it automatically submits it to any of the scholarships that you qualify for! Deadline is April 15. https://www.wearecarroll.org/scholarships/
2. EVERY state representative and senator offers scholarships if you are applying to a Maryland state school, look on their websites here are some for this area:
Senator Justin Ready- District 5, Deadline. April 15
Senator Chris West District 42 Hampstead area students.
Delegate Chris Tomlinson Scholarship May 1st deadline
Delegate Josh Stonko- Hampstead area students
Delegate April Rose- Live in District 5
Delegate Christopher Bouchat District 5 Manchester Area
3. Look up the Town you live in…The Town of Manchester, Hampstead, etc. all have scholarships listed on their websites!
4. Local community groups…The Lions Club, The Elks, The Rotary Club, The Kiwanis, etc. ALL give scholarships, look at your local chapter’s website to apply.
5. Local banks & credit unions- you have to have an account there, so check the website for YOUR bank!
6. What have you been involved in? 4-H clubs offer scholarships, the North Carroll Rec Council offers scholarships, whatever you have been involved while in school, check their websites!
Step 4: Look for career specific scholarships:
Going into the Arts?
Check out the scholarships that the Carroll Arts Center provides: https://carrollcountyartscouncil.org/scholarships/
Going into business? South Carroll Business Association and North Carroll Business Alliance both offer scholarships.
Going into education or nursing…there are too many to list!
Step 5: Finally, if you are feeling really inspired, check out this book by Kristina Ellis (featured by Ramsey):
Confessions of a Scholarship Winner: The Secrets That Helped Me Win $500,000 in Free Money for College- How You Can Too!
Joe and Becky Paschal are the proud parents of three amazing young adults. This May, their eldest daughter Carolyne will be graduating from Taylor University. Their middle child, Abigail, is currently a freshman at Gordon College, and their youngest, Will, is a sophomore at CHA.
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