David Letterman and Duct Tape:
How to Fund Your College Education

1 Earning a college degree is often the key to earning a good living. With the cost of higher education rising faster than the rate of inflation, paying for that education may seem out of reach for many would-be college students. At $7500 a year, tuition at a state-funded university like Texas Tech is a fraction of the cost of private institutions that can be more than $50,000 annually. Happily, there are ways to secure funding for college without breaking the bank. Finding it just takes a little “elbow grease.” Most people are aware that there is “free money” available for those with a high grade point average (GPA), or superstar athletic ability. But, scholarships are also available for students who are “superstars” at searching for them!

2 A good way to begin your search is by looking in your own back yard. One resource is your local Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Chamber office for a list of local groups that offer scholarships. One of their recommendations might be the Rotary Club, which has chapters around the globe. This group of community leaders provides college scholarships annually.

3 If you’ve been involved in extracurricular groups, you may be eligible for even more scholarships. One, the Dr. Harry Britenstool Scholarship Fund, is for Boy Scouts. Another well-known organization that provides money for college-bound students is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Most of these groups take into account the financial need of the applicant as well as whether or not they have merited a scholarship. This begs the question: How do you merit a scholarship?

4 “Merit” doesn’t always mean having a high GPA. For example, the Target All-Around Scholarship Program requires only a 2.0 GPA. Rather than making grades the main focus, this program is interested in the student’s involvement in community service. The annual Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest is based almost solely on the applicant’s English essay. So start volunteering in your community or start writing and get some cash for college!

5 Private family foundations are often an untapped source for college scholarship funds. Some offer scholarships without attaching rigid requirements. For example, the Nation’s Family Foundation in Dallas offers a $10,000 scholarship. The money is given to recipients who will attend a four-year institution. There are very few additional requirements for the Nation’s Grant, but it takes a little effort. This foundation, like other scholarship entities, doesn’t initiate contact with prospective recipients; they expect applicants to contact them.

6 Beyond the scholarships available for merit and need are those for students who are interested in a particular field of study. Do you like to write? Use that skill to apply for funds that are set aside for English majors. Are you interested in pursuing a career in business? There are special scholarships available for you that may include internships in the business world.

7 One category of scholarships that is often overlooked is that which is set aside for groups that are underrepresented among college students and in the degree-holding population. One such group is American Indians. Scholarship opportunities even exist among individual tribes. For example, the Gammon Scholarship is available to Cherokee Nation citizens. To apply for this and other American Indian scholarships, you should be enrolled as a member of a federally recognized tribe. Documentation provided by an American Indian organization may be required.

8 If you aren’t descended from an underrepresented group, don’t despair, your parents may still be able to help. Ask them to check with their employers to see if scholarships are offered to the children of employees. Though the amount is often under $1,000, it’s still money you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

9 Besides the previously mentioned scholarship opportunities, there are others available that you may find surprising. For example, there is a scholarship for left-handed students. There is one that's given to the winner of a duct tape contest! In many cases, such creativity is the key to being awarded the scholarship. The David Letterman Scholarship was established by the comedian of that name to help telecommunications students at Ball State University. The awards are given to average students who have a creative mind.

10 When it comes to finding money for college, the answer is in the research. Researching the many scholarships that are available, applying for the ones that interest you, and accepting the scholarships at the college of your choice are all part of the process to college. While a lot of work, it is only the beginning of a college career that should be full of a similar amount of planning and preparation in your coursework.


In paragraph 1, the Latin word fraction means —
A
monetary currency
B
an act of breaking
C
interest gained
D
an act of expanding