h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I can't figure out how to get scholarship money.

To clarify, I'm not talking about loans, I've already tapped out what my school will give me, and FAFSA isn't really interested in helping me. I'm a suburbanite white male, with no serious disabilities. Well, I'm blind in one eye, but I don't think that counts. My race doesn't get me any money, my gender doesn't get me any money, my various physical defects are too minor to get me money, and I don't have any connections to generous people who have money. I'm really only in school at all because I did really well on the SAT and got National Merit money. Oh, and I'm going for a BS in America, if that makes a difference.

That leaves me with only one recourse: the underworld of private scholarships. I've been to FastWeb and Scholarships.com and so on, but I really don't see them getting me anything. Why? Well, because 1) A lot of people have access to any scholarships I have access to, 2) I'm not exceptional enough to qualify for the big "come up with something brilliant" scholarships like the Intel search, 3) I have no idea what they're looking for in an essay, and 4) I hate lotteries, since by definition I'm almost certain to lose.

So, does anyone know what I should do? Is there a way to get at scholarships that nobody else is applying for? Is there some response I could give to their ubiquitous essay requests that would jump me to the top of the pile? Why do they ask for essays, anyway?

There's not a chance that you're 1/8 of colour? A Native great-grand father, maybe? Not that being a racial minority always does the trick.

I was told by the University of Washington that I (being 100% olive skinned Indo-Pak) do not qualify as a minority because "Asians are privileged." FAFSA always comes through for me, though.

My sister went to Yale on a few scholarships, but she is brilliant and studious, and we were very, very, poor... Still, she's well versed in money matters regarding higher education, so I will ask her for any tips she may have to offer you.

They ask for essays because it's your chance to explain yourself and your interests. In a way, its their method of asking you why you, of all others, deserve to go to their school/get their scholarship.

For example, while applying for admission into an anthropology department, I wrote about my life in various countries, which pertained both to my interest in culture, and my experiences growing up as a minority. So there were two reasons for them to want me in their program: my love for cultural anthropology and the experiences I would have to offer, and diversity for their school/program.

I suggest writing an essay that highlights the advantages of you being awarded the scholarship money. Do not talk about surburbs and being white. Talk about your love for your field of education, your physical disadvantages and what they may have taught you, etc. Talk about your experiences, but do not flaunt your advantages.

Did you ever think about getting a job to pay for some of it? That's what most students seem to do...

No, I'm afraid I'm almost entirely a German-Anglo blend. But hey, these things happen. Let me know what she says.

That makes sense as a rationale for some of them, which I repect. But not, I think, all of them. For instance, I ran across one for $300, hosted by a financial company, saying: "Computers have become household items like cars, televisions and microwaves. Where do you think technology is going to take us 30, 40, or 50 years from now?" I can't help thinking that the only reason they tossed that in is that everyone else does. And almost everyone else I can does require an essay, whether it makes sense for them to have an interest in my opinion or not. I assume, then, that most of them judge it on some other criteria, like grammar. Or a coin-toss.

I intend to get a job, as soon as I have enough time for it. I'm taking about every class I can pack in right now. I figure I'll go for tutoring - I'm good at it, it pays well, and I don't need a car to get there.

A lot of times universities themselves will give merit-based scholarships. Check out what the schools you're applying to offer and apply for as many as you can. These are normally substantial scholarships (sometimes free-rides) rather than the piddling $300 or $500 you get from the contest scholarships. They're often easier to get, as well.

You can also get private loans, if you want (unrelated to FAFSA). I've funded about half of my MA that way as my university doesn't give out anywhere near enough scholarship money to international postgraduates unless they apply two years in advance with pristine grades. These are generally unsubsized, but you don't have to pay interest till you graduate if you don't want to.

I'm sure you know both of those, but I just wanted to be sure you were aware of all of that.