Sign up for a FastWeb.com account

• Check for new scholarship opportunities at least twice a week
• Update profile at least once every three weeks
• Read through the resources provided on applications to financial aid

Develop a commendable academic record

• Maintain good grades, but you don't have to have a 4.0 to win scholarships
• Study for SAT/ACT exams
• Attend all your classes and participate actively

Be involved in school activities and community service

• Join clubs and activities that you are passionate about and become an active participant
• Assume leadership roles and exercise leadership skills in activities
• Commit to helping your community by volunteering locally

Get started early

• Begin applications as early as possible either online or on paper
• Fill out a personal data form and give to teachers or counselors at least four weeks in advance for letters of recommendation and make sure to follow up on their progress
• Request official or unofficial transcripts in advance if necessary

Set goals

• Commit to applying for a certain number of scholarships and give yourself deadlines
• Constantly update your goals
• Don't hesitate to dream big and work towards achieving your goals

Diversify your scholarship portfolio

• Apply for local and national scholarships
• Check with your career center advisor for local and national scholarships weekly
• Avoid only applying for large, national scholarships because several small scholarships can add up

Create a time line and constantly update it

• List your top scholarships from your FastWeb results by deadline
• Give yourself dates by which to finish essays, forms, teacher recommendations, etc.
• Set up reminders (i.e. post-it notes, email notifications, calendar entries) so you don't forget any due dates

Tell your story effectively

• Be genuine and honest in telling your story so that your essay portrays you accurately
• Appeal to the judges and grab their attention
• Know your audience (avoid slang and being too informal)

Make a copy of all applications and submitted documents for your personal file

• Maintain a scholarship portfolio or file with copies of your applications
• Use completed forms as templates for other scholarship applications
• Reuse essays with similar prompts and questions by morphing it to fit the scholarship

Give 100% effort in applying for a scholarship

• Ask teachers, parents, and peers to read over your essays and then edit and revise as needed
• Fill in the application neatly and completely
• Double check application information and correct any grammatical or spelling errors