Feature of the Month

Getting a good student loan has never been easy, and recent events have made it almost impossible in the short term. Savvy students and their families will find their time well-spent searching for the many available scholarships.

Most scholarships awarded through institutions of higher learning are funded through financial endowments given by grateful alumni or other philanthropists. Usually, the scholarships are awarded using the interest from the financial endowment while the principle continues to create funds for future scholarships. This may change in the future as Congress is looking to help institutions of higher learning spend their endowments .

Scholarships are not just for magna cum laudes and gifted athletes. There are special scholarships for students of every ethnicity, gender, interest, ability, religious affiliation, and family history. Nearly every organization and many larger businesses award scholarships, and many go unclaimed because no one applied.

All colleges, like all students, are uniquely created and finding a good match makes all the difference. Thomas Sowell’s Choosing a College is a excellent guide for students and parents who are wading through the process of choosing a college and funding an education.

When selecting a college, it is imperative to thoroughly investigate all aspects of the institution. College closings are happening more regularly, so do check the financial stability of your choice before committing. Check to see that the institution has an excellent record of graduating students in a timely manner. You do not want to be stuck in the ten year plan because courses needed for your program are seldom offered. Do not rely only on glowing brochures or just one source for making your selection. Visit the Illinois workNet Education portal to locate all Illinois institutions of higher learning and find which offer educational opportunities in your area of interest.

Following are links to guides for finding scholarships, applying for scholarships, and examples of available scholarships:

• Scholarship.com provides a guide for finding available scholarships.

• Collegescholarships.org is a clearing house for available scholarship opportunities

• Proper etiquette does count when applying for and accepting scholarships.

• Volunteers for Peace awards scholarships.

• Scholarships are awarded by Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War .

• The Daughters of the American Revolution provide scholarships.

• Not to be outdone, the United Daughters of the Confederacy provide scholarships.
  Some grants and scholarships are specifically for women .

• The Chicago Plumbing Council provides scholarships.

• Some scholarships are very specific and a bit unusual .