Now that summer’s here, students might want a way to beat the heat while also working on their financial aid for college. Scholarships are the perfect solution!

Scholarship applications are found online, and most can easily be completed in a single session. A diligent student could complete several a week, and hopefully earn enough to fill in the gaps left after their grants and other financial aid has been applied. Here are a few tools and resources to help students looking for more money this summer.

To help students and parents, we have created our Scholarship Success Guide — a simple outline of what you should do to ensure you’re applying for the right scholarships in the right way.

Our guide will help you Plan, Research, Apply, and Track your scholarships so you have all the financial support you need before heading off to college!

Finding the right scholarships is important, but it might be hard to know where to start. Here are a few ways to find scholarships that will be fun and useful for you, as you prepare for college.

Extracurricular Activities: If you’re involved in sports, music, theater, or any other extracurricular activity through your school, there are definitely scholarships for you. Inquire with the colleges you’re interested in attending, and ask about any scholarships they may offer and how you can apply.

Hobbies: If you’re an artist, gamer, hiker, or enjoy crafting, there are definitely scholarships available. Simply search on the internet for scholarships related to your particular hobby and you may be surprised at what you’ll find. Another tip is to search for brands you love and see if they award scholarships.

Expected Major: Most colleges will have some available scholarship money for students choosing to enroll in certain classes or major in specific topics. For example, if you’re interested in Computer Science, call that department at the college you plan to attend and ask if they award scholarships to eligible students in their field of study. It’s a great way to possibly earn funding for your education, and also to start making connections within that department!

If you want an easier way to get started, visit UCanGo2.org/scholarships where we have a large scholarship database organized by deadline.

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you’re allowed to apply for, and there is no limit to the amount of scholarship money you’re allowed to receive. If you’re diligent and committed, you might find yourself with far more money than you need, which is a great position to be in! Of course, you should always check with your financial aid office regarding any scholarships you receive to make sure you’re getting the most out of your efforts.

Good luck! 

The UCanGo2 Outreach Team is available to provide free presentations or Zoom webinars at your school, library, or community center focused on college planning and the FAFSA! Additionally, we can share information about Oklahoma’s Promise, finding scholarships and creating a StudentAid.gov account, which is necessary to access and electronically sign your FAFSA application. To request a workshop: