Financial Aid Finder

Did you know that November is National Scholarship Month? What better way to celebrate than by applying for a few scholarships this month?

Winning scholarships is as much about the quality of your applications as the quantity of your applications. In other words: It’s a numbers game. Apply to 10 scholarships and you might win one. Apply to 100 scholarships and you might win enough to cover tuition, room and board! The more you apply, the better your chances of winning. In the somewhat altered words of the late Mayor Daly, “Apply early, apply often!”

If you are a regular to the Financial Aid Finder, you probably know by now that every Friday I encourage you to apply for scholarships by telling you about three opportunities with upcoming deadlines. This week, I have three great scholarships, including an essay competition about economic development, another essay contest about the foreclosure crisis, and an online visual arts competition.

1. SEVEN Fund Economic Development Essay Competition: $10,000

Deadline: See website

The SEVEN Fund is seeking essays about inspiring new models of economic development from around the globe. Per the website, applicants must read the article ‘Rwanda Rising: A New Model of Development’ and then

write an essay about models of economic development anywhere in the world that subvert traditional top-down approaches, and instead use a ‘heretical mix’ of business strategy, local wisdom, culture, and mutual benefit to bring about sustainable economic change at the city, country, or regional level.

Essays must be no longer than 2,000 words and must be written in English. In addition, a brief abstract and author bio should be included. Essays may be submitted online, using the link above. The competition is open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students studying any field. College students must e enrolled full-time at an accredited institution.

2. MYARTSPACE.com Art Competition : $5,000

Deadline: See website

MYARTSPACE is the premier online venue for the contemporary art world and it is seeking applicants to its second annual art scholarship program. The scholarship will provide two grand prizes — one for undergraduates and one for graduates — to students that exhibit exceptional artistic excellence in the visual arts, including photography and video. Applicants must be enrolled in an approved BFA, MFA or other art graduate degree program. Submissions should be uploaded to an online MYARTSPACE gallery, containing up to 20 images for review by the jury panel. A total of $19,000 will be awarded, with $5,000 going to the two first place winners, $2,000 to each of the 2nd place winners, and $1,000 to the two in 3rd place.

3. Foreclosure.com Essay Contest: $5,000

Deadline: See website

Here is an interesting and timely scholarship. Foreclosure.com is calling on college students to come up with creative ideas on how to solve the foreclosure crisis. Submit an essay of no fewer than 1,000 words and no more than 2,5000 word describing your solution to the foreclosure crisis. The top five plans will be sent to Congress and the White House and earn the writers scholarship dollars. Top prize is $5,000, 2nd through 5th place will each receive $1,000.

If you want to learn more about college scholarships, come visit Financial Aid Finder’s scholarship information section. We’ve got how-to articles on the scholarship application process, scholarship essays, scholarship search engines, and weird & unusual scholarships.

Good luck with your scholarship applications this week!

Tags: economic development, foreclosure scholarships, visual arts scholarships