Scholarships are a great way to fund your higher education.  Follow these simple guidelines for scholarships:

• BEWARE OF SCAMS.  DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY!!!  Do not pay for services promising you scholarships or assistance in scholarship searches.  Stay away from scholarships that ask for credit cards or have application fees.  Scholarships are meant to be free money.
• Read the eligibility requirements before applying
• Use a planner or create a calendar of deadlines for each scholarship
• Ask your teachers and counselors at least two weeks prior to the deadline for letters of recommendation and provide them with a resume or checklist of your community involvement and accomplishments
• Your essays need to be well written and make you stand out from the crowd
• Use spell check and proof read for grammar; your English teacher is a great resource
• Always complete paper applications with a pen and don't forget to sign your name.  Do not use pencils!