What are the most common types of scholarships available?

I'm starting to look into scholarships for college, and I'm curious about the different types available. Can someone break down the most common types of scholarships, and maybe suggest some specific ones I should consider applying for?

Absolutely, I'd be happy to break this down for you! Scholarships mostly fall into four main categories:

1. Merit-Based: These are awarded based on student's academic, athletic, artistic, or other abilities. The standards will differ from one scholarship to the next, so pay careful attention to the eligibility criteria.

- Examples: National Merit Scholarship Program, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

2. Need-Based: These are provided to students who demonstrate financial need, and eligibility is typically determined by assessing your family's income, savings, and other financial factors.

- Example: Federal Pell Grant

3. Institutional: These scholarships are provided by individual colleges and universities to attract and reward desirable students. They may be based on a combination of merits and needs, or target specific students, such as those planning to major in a particular field, or coming from a particular geographical area.

- Examples: Regent's Scholarship at UC Berkeley, Presidential Scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin

4. Special-Interest or Career-Specific: These scholarships are tied to certain personal characteristics or career aspirations. For instance, scholarships may be provided to students of a particular ethnicity, or those planning to work in underserved fields or locations.

- Examples: Microsoft's Disability Scholarship, Minority Nurse Scholarship Program.

When you're applying for scholarships, remember that small, local scholarships can be less competitive and can add up. Be sure to search your local community organizations, clubs, and businesses for possible opportunities. Don't forget your high school's guidance office as a wealth of information to get started. Good luck!