Making Sense of the College Scholarship Process

Each year thousands of students begin planning for their college education, including a search for scholarships, hoping that when the time comes they will have earned enough financial aid to afford the college they've chosen. More than $3 billion in private scholarships are awarded to college students each year, and as college costs continue to rise, scholarships are becoming a focal point in the college planning process.

While scholarships are being highlighted as a ‘must-do’ in college planning, the big question from students is “Where do I start?” With the number of scholarships available, and the overwhelming amount of internet search sites, the process can seem daunting and many students give up before they’ve even begun. 

The truth is, the scholarship process is a lot of work, but it is doable and can lead to some serious cash.

Taken from ICANThe Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has three locations in Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and West Des Moines, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their  post secondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN  programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org. 

The ICAN website carries a wealth of information and our students are often guided to use them as a resource. When seaching for scholarship, search early and often. This cannot be accomplished in one night or even one week. Staying persistent and consistent about your search can help. And if you are finding yourself lost or about to give up before you have even started, please visit the school counseling office or start on our simple website with lots of good information: https://sites.google.com/site/ramresourcecenter/scholarships