Entering a college or university can be one of the most exciting, as well as one of the most stressful, times in a young adult’s life. Some students are lucky to have family members offer to pay their tuition. Most, however, have to pursue financial-aid in order to receive a higher education. Many young adults find themselves graduating college with enormous student loans that will haunt them for years to come. Fortunately, there are scholarship options available for those willing to put in the necessary time and effort to apply.

When applying for financial-aid, most students look at the most common scholarships available, such as those based on ACT scores or athletic involvement. There are, however, countless other scholarships that can help offset additional costs, or even pay the full price of tuition for those who know where to look.

In Pearl River County, Pearl River Community College offers nearly 150 foundation scholarships on top of its typical academic and service scholarships. These scholarships range from a few hundred dollars, to full-tuition for students who meet certain criteria. 

On a larger scale, there are countless fun and quirky scholarships available to students willing to put in some work. For example, Duck Tape brand provides scholarships worth up to $10,000 for students who make the most creative dresses and tuxedos out of its product. The Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships between $250 and $2,500 to those who compete in quizzes on various “common knowledge” topics. There are even scholarships available to those who apply to a lot of other scholarships. Debt.com provides $500 scholarships to some students who send in confirmation emails from scholarships they have already applied to, along with a short letter of intent.

Applying for college can be intimidating – especially for students who do not have additional funds.

However, help is available for those passionate about the pursuit of education.