In addition to Willamette scholarships, you may be eligible for one or more private scholarships ­administered by outside organizations (i.e., those not affiliated with Willamette University). A good place to get started in identifying private scholarships you might qualify for is to visit our scholarship search page.

Some other helpful hints for the scholarship search process include:

  • Begin your scholarship search in the fall of your senior year.
    There is most likely a counselor at your high school that can help you with your search. There is a lot of work involved in making an application that gets results! Don't put this off until it is too late to do it well.
  • Get involved! Activities and community service are important.
    Sure it helps to be a straight A student, but what scholarship committees really look for is an involved student who demonstrates leadership and an interest in helping others.
  • Research other private scholarship opportunities online.
    There are many national scholarship databases online. One of the oldest is fastweb.com, but there are a lot out there. Unfortunately, no one national database lists every scholarship out there--that's just not possible, given how frequently private scholarships are created (and also discontinued).
  • Talk to employers, civic organizations, clubs, etc. that you or your family members belong to. Sometimes they have scholarship opportunities that are not nationally advertised.
  • Keep a notebook with a section for each scholarship.
    Assemble activity lists, essays, recommendations and applications. Be sure every application is complete and answers the questions asked. Tailor your essays for that specific application.
  • Arrange applications by deadline.
    Late applications do not get considered. Know when the deadline is, and be sure to mail your complete application in plenty of time.
  • Request recommendations early in the process.
    If recommendations are to be mailed separately, provide a stamped, addressed envelope, with the deadline clearly indicated.
  • Never pay or provide credit card information to apply for a scholarship or for a scholarship search.
  • Continue searching for private scholarships after you’ve enrolled in college.
    The same steps, time, effort, and energy that you put into scholarship searches as a high school student can be continued after you start college.

Apply, apply, apply... Persistence will pay off!

Willamette University

Office of Financial Aid

Address
1st Floor Waller Hall
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.

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