Happy Friday, dear readers! Are you here for your weekly dose of great scholarship opportunities with upcoming deadlines?

Then you’re in the right place! There is no more productive way to spend your weekend than applying for a handful of scholarships.

I recently read that earning money for college through scholarships is a numbers game — the more you apply to, the better chance you have to win. Will you will all? No way! Half? Nope! But you may win 5 or even 10% of the scholarships you apply to, if you pick your applications strategically. Look for opportunities where you meet *all* of the qualifications — and be sure you have your A-game on every time you sit down to write an essay!

Back to business. This week, I have three great scholarship opportunities for you, including a $5,000 essay contest on Memorial Day (for junior and senior high school students); a $5,000 biomedical science award; and a $10,000 scholarship for minority students.

1. Americanism Essay Contest For Grades 7 – 12: $5,000

The FRA National Committee on Americanism-Patriotism is sponsoring its annual Americanism Essay Contest, based on the theme What Memorial Day Means to Me. The grand prize winner will earn a $10,000 U.S. Savings bond. First, second, and third place winners will receive $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 Savings Bonds, respectively. The contest is open to all students grades 7 through 12, including home schoolers, whose entry is sponsored by an FRA member in good standing. Submit your essay to your nearest FRA branch (click the link above to find the location nearest you). The application deadline is December 1, 2009.

2. Dr. Daniell Biomedical Science Award: $5,000

The Golden Key’s Biomedical Science Award aims to recognize members who are leading to careers in human or veterinary medicine, dentistry, biomedical research or other related professions. Eligible candidates must be undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled or planning to enroll the following year in a degree-granting program. The application committee is seeking candidates with excellent academic achievement, demonstrated leadership qualities, and scholarly basic or applied research. You must submit a written statement of no more than five pages, on your personal and professional goals over the next decade, along with the persons and events that have influenced your decision. A personal resume, letter of recommendation, and current copy of your transcript are also required. The application deadline is November 1, 2009.

3. The Vanguard Minority Scholarship Program: $10,000 (College Juniors)

The Vanguard investment company is sponsoring up to ten (10) $10,000 scholarship for minority students who will be entering their senior year of college in the fall of 2010.

Qualified applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college of university in the United States, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, and be studying business, finance, economics, IT or the liberal arts (i.e. not natural science or engineering). The scholarship committee is seeking candidates with a strong academic record, demonstrated leadership in school and community activities, work experience, and unusual personal or family circumstances. A strong personal statement and resume is also essential. Winning checks are made payable to the students’ school. The application deadline is November 30, 2009.

I hope you find something here than can help you pay for college!

To learn more about college scholarships, visit Financial Aid Finder’s scholarship search section and Scholarships Information pages. We have helpful articles on everything from finding unusual scholarships to being the candidate a scholarship committee wants.