National scholarships attract tens of thousands of applicants. The awards most students win come from their own county, employer, church, union, or a college's departmental funds that few people know exist.
Start local
Ask your school counselor for last year's local awards list. Search your county community foundation. Ask each parent's employer and any professional association.
Then go institutional
Once admitted, ask the department of your intended major whether it has named scholarships. Many are awarded to whoever asks.
Track deadlines in one place
Our scholarship calendar lists national deadlines through February. Add local ones to the same calendar so nothing slips.