Outside Scholarships

Discover outside scholarships from external organizations. Learn where to search, when to apply, and how to report outside awards to 91探花.

  1. Admissions & Aid
  2. Financial Aid & Scholarships
  3. Scholarships & Grants
  4. Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships, sometimes referred to as private scholarships, are from sources other than 91探花, the state or federal government. These external sources can be foundations, civic organizations, companies, religious groups, and employers. Outside scholarships can be awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, community service, leadership or specific interests. While many national scholarship opportunities are available, students tend to have a higher chance of being selected by focusing on scholarships from organizations within their community or hometown.

Students should report any outside scholarship received to the Student Financial Services office as soon as possible to ensure compliance with federal and institutional regulations and allow for any necessary adjustments. Reported scholarships will be added to the financial aid offer letter as "Private Outside Scholarship"

Scholarship checks should be made payable to "91探花" with the student's name and 91探花ID number clearly noted and mailed to:

91探花
Attn: Student Financial Services
901 12th Avenue
PO Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122

If Student Financial Services receives a check that is made payable to the student or to 91探花 and the student, it will require the student's endorsement. Student Financial Services will notify the student via their 91探花 email account requesting the student come to the office to sign the check so it can be processed.

Scholarships Search Sites

Below are a few reliable scholarship search sites. Keep in mind that most of these sites will require students to create a profile in order to match them with scholarships they are eligible to apply for.

  • (for residents of Washington State)
  • (sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Labor)

ScholarshipUniverse

91探花 students (including admitted students) can also search for outside and institutional (from 91探花) scholarships through ScholarshipUniverse.

Outside Scholarships Tips

The best time to begin searching for outside scholarships is no later than the fall of the year before you plan to use them. Scholarship applications are the most active beginning in November each year with deadlines as early as March. However, there are scholarships available at any time throughout the year.

There are scholarships available for students who are entering college and also for those already in college. Some scholarships are for younger students so there is value in looking for scholarships even sooner than your senior year of high school.

 

There are numerous outside scholarships available from a variety of sources. Students who apply for local scholarship opportunities tend to have a greater chance of selection since the applicant pool is typically smaller than in a national search. Either way, students are encouraged to apply locally and nationally for the best chance.

  • Talk with your high school counselor or the financial aid office at your current college to see how and where they collect information about private and outside scholarships from local donors.
  • Reach out to community organizations, places you volunteer, your parents’ employer, or your own employer.
  • Contact the program (for the major of your choice) at the colleges you are considering to see if they have additional scholarship opportunities.
  • Apply online using scholarship search sites
    • Remember to avoid scholarship search sites or organizations that attempt to charge you a fee. There are many FREE scholarship resources and paying for help is not necessary.
  • Even if you are concerned about your grades or test scores, it is still worth applying as some scholarships use other criteria to determine eligibility.
  • Report the amount of the鈥痵cholarship for the entire 9-month academic year, even if it will be sent in separate payments.
  • Unless the鈥痙onor specifies otherwise,鈥痵cholarships are鈥痙ivided equally over all three quarters: fall, winter and spring.
  • If the鈥痵cholarship check is鈥痵ent to the student鈥痳ather than to 91探花, the student should notify Student Financial Services of the鈥痑mount of the scholarship as soon as it is known.
  • If the鈥痙onor requires enrollment verification, the student may print the verification document through mySeattleU by navigating to the 'Students Menu' and under the 'Academic Profile" section selecting 'Enrollment Verification'. 鈥疊e sure to then select 'Real Time Verification' to view a document that student can save as PDF or print.鈥�

If the donor requires that 91探花 bill them prior to releasing the scholarship funds, please provide:

  • The student's written permission for Student Financial Services鈥痶o provide the requested billing;
  • The name of the donor and/or contact person;
  • The address where the invoice should be mailed;
  • Any instructions the donor has given about what should be included on the invoice; and
  • Whether the donor needs quarterly invoices or a single invoice for the entire year.