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The Hunt for Scholarships: Don't Leave Money on the Table
What if there was an opportunity to receive $50 toward college or $100? What difference would that make to you as a college student? Not much? But what if there were multiple opportunities? A few scholarships here, a grant there, can add up quickly and make a big difference in helping you pay for a college education.
“Sticker shock” over the cost of higher learning can be a major source of stress for young students and their families. Many students report feelings of fear and anxiety around making higher education decisions based primarily on the cost of college. A fall survey of U.S. community college students found that cost and affordability was the No. 1 factor for students when choosing a college.
The good news is there are scholarships available, no matter where you are in your educational journey. It doesn’t matter if you’re just just starting or returning to school after spending decades working in the professional world— there are opportunities for financing your schooling. All it takes is a little patience and leg work to research what’s available. Then, it’s time to turn in your applications.
Local Scholarships
The good news for many Rio Salado students is that the Maricopa Colleges Foundation offers dozens of scholarships, and you’ll only need to complete one application to apply! The 2022-2023 scholarship application for Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation will open on March 1, 2022. Students can even sign up for a one-on-one session with one of their scholarship coordinators. Scholarship coordinators can:
- Walk you through the online general application process.
- Share tips on how to write a successful essay.
- Answer any questions you have regarding scholarships to make the application process easy and comprehensible.
Rio Salado’s Honors Program also awards funds to students who are accepted into the program. Our Honors program page includes information on eligibility.
Rio Salado Is Here To Help
Rio Salado College has resources available to help students find scholarships. "Our scholarship page is kept up to date," said Student Services Manager Patricia Smith. "You do not need to be in high school to qualify. There are scholarships for new and returning college students."
Smith also recommends that students check out the Maricopa District’s scholarships page for advice on writing essays for scholarships. Student Life & Leadership Coordinator John Bastian said students can also reach out to faculty and tutors for help in crafting compelling essays that can help you get money for your classes.
“I would suggest that they check in with their English instructors if possible, maybe tutoring, maybe advising,” Bastian said. “It’s always good to get a second (or third) set of eyes to look at essays and applications.”
Earn Funds When You Transfer
If you’re a student at Rio Salado considering transferring to a four-year university, another option to look at is https://www.raise.me/transfer. Students who use the program/app now may earn funds they will receive when they enroll at schools such as Arizona State University.
Looking for other options
Check out some of these websites for additional scholarship ideas: