• File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some scholarships—especially those offered through the school—require that you file a FAFSA. You may need to file early in order for your student to be considered for some scholarships.

• Help your student write a "resumé." Have your student list their school, church and extracurricular activities, plus any jobs they've held or travel they've done. Keep it simple so it can easily be adapted to fit other scholarship applications.

• Take advantage of your student's high school resources, especially the wisdom of their guidance counselor. You and your student should make an appointment with your student's guidance counselor to discuss local scholarships and scholarship resources. Students should give their counselor as much information about themselves as possible. If your student has created a resumé, give a copy to the counselor. "Your student needs to become 'best friends' with their high school counselor, so that every time a new scholarship opportunity comes up, the counselor will think of your student's name," says one director of financial aid.

• Apply selectively. Students should consider whether they meet all the requirements listed. If not, the time spent on that scholarship application could be better spent applying for something more fitting to the student. Students should apply for local scholarships and scholarships offered by a parent's employer before seeking regional or national scholarships where there is more competition.

• Research scholarships available through the college. The best thing parents can do is make sure they are in touch with the financial planning offices at each of the institutions their child is considering. Through these offices they'll be able to plug into federal, state and institutional dollars.

• Inquire about "matching" scholarships. Some churches, employers, and professional and social organizations will match a specified amount given by the school. Ask your employer, home church and any organization you're involved in if they offer matching scholarship funds.

• Keep a calendar of deadlines. So many students miss scholarships because they miss deadlines. One thing parents can do is give gentle reminders to keep them moving forward—be an encouragement.

• Ask the college for other possible resources if it seems your student is not getting the financial aid your family needs. It's recommended that both you and your student talk to a financial aid counselor at the school to see if there is anything else they can do to help you. The school may be able to offer a little extra aid from the college or a low-interest loan source.

Kristin is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. Experts from Central College in Pella, Iowa and Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, helped with the information in this article.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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