1. Set a Goal

Your child will have homework, school activities, volunteer work, and possibly even a job, so expecting her to spend time every day working on scholarships is not realistic. Instead, set a goal of five to ten scholarships each month, allowing her to work on the scholarships during the weekend or on a specific night each week.

2. Search First – Apply Later

Your child will be much less stressed if she spends one of her weekends (or nights) simply looking for available scholarships. At least once a month, she should check with her guidance counselor to see if there are any awards she may be eligible for, as well as using several free online resources, such as scholarship search tools, Pinterest, Twitter and Reddit. You can also help her locate programs by checking with your employer, bank, church, and membership groups to see if there may be funding available.

3. Be Prepared

This is where you can really help. Although you cannot write essays or complete questionnaires, you can fill out the biographical information required for most scholarship applications and gather necessary financial documents (if needed), such as your most recent tax return. Place the applications in order, with the closest deadline at the top, and attach a quick reference list showing which items are still outstanding (letters of recommendation, essay, etc.). If the application must be sent through the mail, include a pre-addressed, stamped envelope, as well.

4. Review & Review Again

Another way you can help your child is by reviewing her essays and applications for typos. Don’t rewrite or alter her work, but highlight any areas that need corrections. It’s also a good idea to double-check that quick reference list you made for her to make sure all necessary items have been included in the scholarship packet before it is submitted.

5. Reward the Effort

The more scholarships your child completes, there more chances she has of winning, but she may become discouraged if it does not happen after a few months; the best way to keep her invested in the process is to include incentives or rewards. Consider offering her $100 (placed in a college savings account) for every 20 scholarships she completes or maybe a gift card to her favorite store. If she wants to take a cruise or trip after she graduates, consider creating a vacation fund. You can set a specific amount per application ($1 to $10 each), allowing her to earn it over time. I know that you may take issue with the suggestion of paying your child to apply for scholarships, but if you plan to help pay for college anyway, this is a good way to have your child actively involved with helping to fund her education. If she knows there will be some return on her efforts, she is more likely to seriously pursue scholarships and keep up with it over time.

Once your child reaches senior year, she should be a pro at finding scholarships. Be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the spring, and have her research available grants and scholarships offered by the colleges on her admissions list; she may be eligible for some awards based on her grade point average, class rank or college entrance exam scores. Even after graduation, she should continue to search for scholarships, applying every month until she completes college. Hopefully, her persistence will pay off and she’ll be able to earn her degree with minimal student loan debt.

1. Diabetes Scholars Foundation

High school seniors with Type 1 diabetes have access to 12 scholarship programs provided by the Diabetes Scholars Foundation. The value of each award varies ($1,000 to $5,000), but students only need to complete one application to be considered for all awards. Deadline: May 15.

2. Jim Brady Scholarship

Duval County (Florida) high school seniors, who have been served by the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program for the disabled, may be eligible for this scholarship. Amounts vary, depending on available funding. Deadline: June 1.

3. Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Optimist International provides several $2,500 scholarships to students who have suffered a hearing loss of 40 decibels or more. Students must be in grades 12 or lower to apply. Deadline: June 15.

4. Tasha Dunham Memorial Scholarship

Maine undergraduate and graduate students, who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, may be eligible for this award. One $500 scholarship will be provided. Deadline: July 1.

5. GuildScholar Award

The Jewish Guild for the Blind offers several scholarships, valued up to $16,000 each. Students must be legally blind and high school seniors at the time of application. Deadline: September 15.

6. AAHD Scholarship Program

The American Association on Health and Disability provides several $1,000 scholarships to students with disabilities who are pursuing studies in public health, disability research and policy, as well as health promotion. Current undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Deadline: November 15.

7. SILVER CROSS Ability Achievement Scholarship

SILVER CROSS®, a supplier and distributor of home accessibility products, provides one $3,000 scholarship. Undergraduate or graduate students who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, may apply. Deadline: December 31.

8. Gifts of Love Award

Disabled students, who are seeking formal training in a particular vocation, academic, athletic or artistic field, may be eligible for this award. The Italian Catholic Federation offers several scholarships, ranging between $200 and $500 each. Students do not have to be Catholic or Italian to apply. Deadline: Rolling.

Students with disabilities should also check with organizations related to their specific learning or physical condition, as many offer grants and scholarships to those pursuing a post-secondary education; local charitable organizations and support groups are also a good place to locate additional funding. Students should also take advantage of the many free tools available to help them locate scholarship programs that may be offered outside their city or state.

If you know a mom (or any woman), who’s heading back to college and could use a little financial assistance, be sure to wrap up this scholarship list and present it to her this Mother’s Day.

1. Scholarships4Moms

Any U.S. woman, 31 or older, may apply for this $10,000 scholarship. Applicants must register on the Scholarships4Moms website. Deadline: May 15, 2103.

2. Colorado Women’s Education Foundation Scholarship

The Colorado Women’s Education Foundation offers scholarships, ranging between $300 and $1,000 each. Women must be 25 years or older and enrolled in a Colorado college or university. Deadline: May 31, 2013.

3. Single Parent Scholarship

California single parents, who are graduating from high school or currently enrolled in college, may apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Deadline: July 15, 2013.

4. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship

This award is for single mothers, 17 or older, who meet the annual family income guidelines and are planning to pursue a technical/vocational, undergraduate or graduate degree. Five scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, will be provided. Deadline: August 1, 2013.

5. The Illinois Organization of Mothers of Twins Club, Inc. Scholarship

Residents of Illinois, who are single parents, may be eligible for this award. Applicants must be the mother (or father) of twins, triplets or other multiples. Four scholarships, valued between $100 and $300, will be offered. Deadline: August 31, 2013.

6. Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize

Any U.S. woman pursuing an undergraduate degree in mathematics may apply for this scholarship. Up to six awards will be offered, ranging from $250 to $1,000 each. Deadline: September 15, 2013.

My worries about fitting in at college soon evaporated. I found the class discussions to be exhilarating and enjoyed the challenges presented with each assignment. I should have known that my multi-tasking skills as a mother would come in handy, as juggling the demands of life at home and those at school soon became second nature to me. Throughout my time at college, I continued to apply for scholarships and won several. I was happy to graduate with very little student loan debt and now share my scholarship strategies with my daughter, who will head off to college in two years. Hopefully, some of my good luck and determination will rub off on her.

1. Cici’s Pizza 

If your budget is tight, but your belly is empty, head to the nearest Cici’s Pizza. For under $10 you can get all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, wings and dessert. It may not be the best food in town, but it’s hot, cheap and there’s plenty of it!

2. Golden Corral 

For those times when I can’t decide what I want to eat, Golden Corral fits the bill. They offer a wide variety of items, including steak, shrimp pizza, wings, and pretty much any side item you can imagine. They also have a salad bar (so you can say you had something healthy) and a dessert bar. I am fond of their bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Prices usually run between $10 and $15 per person, including a drink.

3. Ponderosa Steakhouse 

Another restaurant that offers plenty of food at a good price is Ponderosa. Just pick a main course (they are known for their steak) and get endless soup and salad added on for a small fee. Whenever I am in Orlando, Florida, I always stop for the breakfast buffet, which is a bargain at around $7 per person. On the West Coast, be sure to check out Sizzler, which offers similar fare.

4. Maggiano’s

Maggiano’s is my favorite restaurant. The food tastes amazing and they give you plenty of it; I have never left without a to-go bag. Right now, they are offering the Marco’s Meal for Two, which is $39.95. You’ll get an appetizer, two classic pastas (one to eat and one to take home) and a dessert to share. If you are dining alone, consider trying their Buy One & Take One promotion (only $12.95). I guarantee you’ll leave satisfied!

5. Olive Garden

If you don’t have a Maggiano’s in your area, head over to Olive Garden. They now offer the same Buy One, Get One deal at the same price ($12.95). Although you have fewer options, you’ll still get to enjoy their famous unlimited salad and garlic sticks, too.

Did you know that Olive Garden not only serves up good food, but also scholarships? That’s right, and it’s not the only restaurant to offer financial assistance to students; both Wendy’s and McDonald’s also sponsor scholarships in the fall for high school students. So, next time someone gives you grief about going off your diet, just tell him or her you are supporting college students everywhere. Enjoy!

1. ‘Not worried about college. My grades will guarantee a full-ride!’

FACT: Approximately 20,000 students each year, or roughly 0.3 percent, will receive a full-ride scholarship that will cover all their costs. Regardless if students are the star of their football team or the valedictorian, they should never bank on a full-ride scholarship to cover their college expenses. In most cases, students will need to use a combination of federal aid (grants and loans), institutional awards, private scholarships and cash to help cover all their costs.

2. ‘Average white male. Guess I won’t be getting any scholarships.’

FACT: Caucasian students are 40 percent more likely to win private scholarships than minority students. Some organizations use the myth that minorities receive the majority of scholarships to justify the creation of scholarship programs for white males.  For example, the Former Majority Association for Equality (FMAFE) offers a scholarship specifically for the average, white male, which perpetuates the myth that white students are at a disadvantage when it comes to winning scholarships.  It is simply not true.

3. ‘I wish I was poor so I could win some scholarships!’

FACT: Students with a family income between $50,000 and $100, 000 (middle-income) are more likely to win scholarships than those who make less than $50,000. Not every scholarship program is based on need (income), so students should never assume that their family income will prevent them from winning scholarships.

4. ‘Someone please tell me where to find the unclaimed scholarships. I need the money.’

FACT: Providers do not create scholarships with the intention of not disbursing the funds.  The myth about millions in unclaimed scholarship money has been around for over 30 years. It started with a 1976-77 academic year study by the National Institute of Work and Learning. The study estimated that a total of $7 billion was potentially available from employer tuition assistance programs, but that only about $300 million to $400 million was being used. There are some programs, like the Zolp Scholarship offered at Loyola University, which have such unusual requirements that an eligible applicant may not be available every year, but these programs are small and open to a very limited number of students.

5. ‘Can’t wait for senior year when I can apply for scholarships!’

FACT: Students who wait until senior year are already behind the ball. Many scholarship programs are open to students in elementary, middle and high school (and college!). For example, Jif® hosts a $25,000 scholarship contest each year for students between the ages of 6 and 12, and Kohl’s provides scholarships ($1,000 to $10,000 each) to students in elementary through high school. Students should start their scholarship search early, if they want more chances to win.

It really is sad to see so many students assuming that they are ineligible for scholarships based on some silly myth or rumor that they have seen on the Internet. I’m sure some of them are just looking for an excuse not to apply, but I hate to think there are people who would willingly give up their chances to win free money for college. To me, it’s a no-brainer; I’d much rather put in the time and take my chances than graduate with a pile of student loan debt.

1. Ayn Rand – We The Living Essay Contest

Amount: $25 to $3,000 Number of Awards: 116 Deadline: May 6

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 through 12

2. Samsung High School Student Scholarship Program

Amount: $1,000 Number of Awards: 5 Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: High school students

3. Ray Semko-The D*I*C*E* Man Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 Number of Awards: 1                 Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are in a security field

4. New England Graphic Arts Scholarship

Amount: $2,500 Number of Awards: 10                Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate students

5. Matters of Life and Death Scholarship Writing Contest

Amount: $250 to $1,000 Number of Awards: 3 Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: California high school juniors and seniors

6. Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Amount: $250 to $1,000 Number of Awards: 3 Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: High school students and older

7. National Collegiate Cancer Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 Number of Awards: Varies Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Undergraduate/graduate students who are cancer survivors

8. Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition

Amount: $1,000 Number of Awards: 1 Deadline: May 20

Eligibility: Current law students

9. I’m First Scholarship

Amount: $2,000 Number of Awards: 10 Deadline: May 24

Eligibility: High school seniors who are first-generation college students

10. Fifth Month Scholarship

Amount: $1,500 Number of Awards: 1 Deadline: May 31

Eligibility: U.S. students who are 13 years or older

The school year may be ending soon, but that doesn’t mean you should stop searching for scholarships. Be sure to schedule time each month during the summer to work on applications and look for new programs. Register for a free account with several online scholarship search services and keep applying until you complete your degree. If you tend to your ‘scholarship garden’ on a regular basis, you’ll be more likely to reap the rewards year-round.

1. Start Locally

Most local scholarships are offered through area merchants, clubs, civic groups and individuals. Students can locate available opportunities by checking with their guidance counselors, local media websites (television, radio, etc.), newspapers and community portals. Since most local scholarships offer smaller awards and target a narrow group of students (city, county, year in school, etc.), the odds of winning these awards are much greater than those in a statewide or national competition. In fact, some local scholarship programs receive fewer than 100 applications per year.

2. Consider Smaller Awards

For some reason, many students ignore or avoid scholarships that are valued under $500; they may feel as though these programs are not worth their time, but these awards do add up! Smaller scholarships can help cover the cost of books, supplies and other expenses that may not be covered by the larger awards. Many providers often disburse smaller scholarship awards directly to the students, as well. Even if students spend two hours on a $200 scholarship, they will have been paid $100 an hour for their time. Not too bad!

3. Remember, More Work = Less Applicants

Unfortunately, many students do not want to spend much time on scholarship applications; they would rather complete a contact form and take their chances, instead of putting any real work into it. For those who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and really dig in, there are a plethora of scholarships waiting to be won. Once an essay word count reaches the 1,000 mark, or multiple essays are required, the number of applicants drops quite a bit. Students who apply for programs that require little to no work may be battling against 50,000 or more students for one scholarship, whereas those who take the time to submit to a more substantial program may have a 1 in 500 shot of winning. I definitely prefer those odds.

4. Focus on Your Interests

Too often, I see students applying for every scholarship under the sun; this can easily lead to burnout. To avoid this dilemma, students should focus on scholarships that interest them. For example, those who spend considerable time doing charitable work may find it more rewarding to concentrate on volunteer scholarships, whereas students who enjoy math or science may find STEM scholarships more interesting. Scholarships are offered based on merit (grades), skills (music, art, drama, etc.), sports, unusual talents and a variety of other reasons, so students should have little trouble finding something that will excite them. If students are interested in what they are writing about, chances are the scholarship committee will be more interested in reading the applications, too.

5. Submit Your Best Work

Providers can easily spot an application that has been submitted hastily or without much thought; they are often riddled with grammatical errors, missing important elements or fail to stay on topic. Although students can increase their chances of winning scholarships by applying to many programs, it does absolutely no good if they submit poor quality work. To get the most out of their time, I suggest students focus on 5 to 10 scholarships each month, paying close attention to guidelines and ensuring all work is reviewed by at least one other person prior to submitting any applications. Small mistakes can often mean the difference between students making it the final round or having their applications sent to the ‘rejection’ pile, instead.

Of course, there’s one other thing students will need to win scholarships – a positive attitude! It’s tough sending off scholarship applications and not receiving an award right away, but those who stick with it often find that their efforts were worth it. Students must commit to winning and believe in themselves if they want to see results.

Looking for scholarships that match your unique skills? Register with ScholarshipExperts.com today!

1. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

This scholarship honors students who have shown leadership and courage in developing and implementing an extraordinary service project for their community. The project must clearly benefit other people, animals or the environment. Students who are between the ages of 8 and 18 are eligible to apply. A total of 10 scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, will be provided. Deadline: April 30.

2. 4-H Community Service Scholarship

Wisconsin undergraduate students, who have been involved with 4-H for a year or more, may be eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate a commitment to community service and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Two awards, valued at $750 each, will be provided. Deadline: April 30.

3. Nordstrom TEN4U Scholarship

The Nordstrom Scholarship Program recognizes students across the country for their exceptional scholastic achievement and community involvement. Students must be high school juniors and reside in a state where Nordstrom’s has a full-line store. A total of 80 scholarships, valued at $10,000 each, will be offered. Deadline: May 1.

4. ‘Education is Power’ Scholarship Program

Current undergraduate students, who have a bleeding disorder and participate in volunteer service, are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Finalists may be asked to participate in an interview prior to winners being selected. A minimum of 20 awards, valued between $500 and $2,500 each, will be provided. Deadline: May 1.

5. Christopher Reeve Award

U.S. middle school or high school students, who have demonstrated tremendous courage, compassion and caring through service to their community, may be eligible for this award. Students must be nominated by a nonrelative to be considered. One $1,000 scholarship will be offered. Deadline: October 31.

Each spring (January through March), the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship is awarded to students between the ages of 6 and 18. Students are nominated based on their volunteer service and have the opportunity to win a $50 gift card, a $1,000 regional award and/or a $10,000 national scholarship. Another well-known service-based scholarship is the Prudential Spirit of Community Award (November 2013). Students in grades 5 through 12, who have participated in a community service project within the last year, are eligible to compete for several state ($1,000) and national ($5,000) scholarships.

Although it is nice to be recognized for your efforts, especially with college scholarships, volunteer service is its own reward; you’ll gain self-esteem, learn to work with others, take on leadership roles and make new friends along the way. The time you give to others may also provide opportunities for future employment and will look great on a college application. I only wish that I realized sooner that helping others feels so darn great!

Although $3,000 might buy some lavish gifts or trinkets, those items won’t last forever. Your college education, on the other hand, will provide you with skills and experience that you can use for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, the cost of a college education keeps rising and it’s often just a few thousand dollars that prevents someone from attending his/her dream school or enrolling in a college, at all. If you won $3,000 for college, just imagine what you could use it to buy. You could cover your books for at least six semesters or possibly cover your housing fees for a year (probably a triple or quad). You could also use the money to purchase a meal plan for several semesters or use it for a study abroad trip. There are so many possibilities!

If you could use $3,000 for college this fall, check out the April scholarship, All About Education, offered by ScholarshipExperts.com. Any U.S. student, 13 years or older, may enter by submitting a short essay (250 words or less) explaining how $3,000 would change his/her life. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST April 30, 2013, so don’t wait too long to enter. Oh, and here’s a good tip: don’t write about how you’re broke and can’t afford your tuition; the scholarship committee already knows that and will be looking for essays that explain how the money will make an impact on your life, so no begging! Be creative and have some fun with it. Good luck!

1. Be Social

Are you spending time on social media forums like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest? If so, you’re probably missing out on a plethora of scholarship opportunities. Simply type ‘scholarships’ in the search on Facebook or visit some of the major businesses pages to see what’s available. On Twitter, do a search for #scholarship or #scholarships and you’ll get a stream of available awards at any hour of the day. You can also follow @ScholarshipGuru, @AidScholarship and @volunTEENnation for daily scholarship tweets. Many colleges are now adding available scholarships and other financial aid to their Pinterest boards, and don’t forget to check your high school’s social media pages, as many also post local scholarship offerings.

2. Make Copies

Many scholarship programs ask for the same materials, such as copies of your transcript, résumé, list of volunteer activities, financial statements, and a personal statement; make multiple copies of each (unless an official copy is required) to save time with future applications. Keep as many as possible in digital format, as well, so you can tweak or update, as needed. A digital copy is also a good idea because many programs now require you to submit documents online. Be sure to put everything on a disc or flash drive, just in case something happens to your computer.

3. Reuse Your Work

I’m betting that you’ve probably had to write a history paper or creative essay in school at some point. If you’ve received an ‘A’ on any of these assignments, don’t toss them away. Unless the scholarship guidelines specifically state that you cannot use material that has already been submitted to another program or for credit in school, they could come in handy; simply Google the name of the historic figure, or event that you had to write about, and add ‘scholarship’ to it (ie. George Washington Scholarship). You would be amazed at how many Martin Luther King, Sr. and Abraham Lincoln scholarships are out there. Creative writing contests are also very popular, so select one or two of your best short stories and submit to as many programs as possible.

It would be nice if providers simply handed out money to anyone who needed it, but that’s not going to happen any time soon. If you really want to increase your chances of winning, make scholarships a part of your weekly routine. It makes sense to group your applications by type (merit, need, creative, etc.) and work on similar applications at the same time, as many will require the same elements. By following the tips above, you can help reduce the time you spend on each application, which should allow you to apply to even more scholarships. Don’t forget to register for several scholarship search services, as these tools can also help you find programs that are perfect for you. The more you apply, the more chances you have to win!