Log In
For most college and high school students, summer is either here or right around the corner. Summer vacation typically brings with it an increased amount of free time, especially since finding a part-time job has gotten increasingly tough in this economy. While it's nice to enjoy a break from studies, enterprising students can still find ways to make the most of their summer, even if they aren't employed. Beyond working or landing a summer internship, summer is also an ideal time to search for scholarships, build your résumé and strengthen your scholarship applications.
Though many deadlines have already passed, some scholarship opportunities are still available for fall 2009 (including the Scholarships.com Resolve to Evolve Essay Scholarship). However, the majority of scholarship contests are annual affairs, meaning that even if you missed a deadline this time around, you may still be eligible to apply next year. This is especially true for rising high school juniors and seniors. For most students, their junior and senior years of high school will be their busiest, as classes get more challenging and the college and scholarship application processes begin. So if you're going into your junior or senior year of high school, why not get a jump start on scholarships now?
Do a free college scholarship search and make note of the awards for which you'll qualify next year. Some scholarships may be right up your alley, but might require extensive reading, writing, research or labor that you may not have time for during the academic year. Others may be looking for substantial volunteer and leadership experience, and summer is a great time to get involved or more involved in activities that will help you really shine in those categories. This advice also applies to current and incoming college students. There are enough scholarship opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds that regardless of your circumstances, it's a good idea to clear some time in your summer schedule to begin searching and applying.