Where can I find scholarships?

Where can I find scholarships specifically tailored for undergraduate students majoring in Computer Science, especially ones offered by tech companies or organizations focused on increasing diversity in tech, beyond the obvious university financial aid office and Fastweb, feeling overwhelmed by the number of options and frustrated with getting generic advice, uncertain about eligibility requirements, and struggling to find opportunities that match my unique background before important deadlines pass?

To find scholarships, you can explore the following resources:

1. School-Based Sources:

   • High school guidance offices maintain databases of scholarships for graduating students, including local awards from community organizations, businesses, and foundations.
   • College financial aid offices provide institutional scholarships (merit-based, need-based, department-specific) and a list of external opportunities.
   • University websites often have scholarship portals, such as Fastweb, Cappex, or school-specific platforms.

2. Online Scholarship Databases:

   • Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, and College Board’s Scholarship Search aggregate thousands of opportunities with filters for demographics, field of study, and location.
   • Federal Student Aid (FSA) portal (StudentAid.gov) lists federal grants and state-specific scholarships.
     -career and professional organizations (e.g., NSPE for engineers, ABA for lawyers) offer field-specific scholarships.

3. Community and Local Resources:

   • Libraries, community centers, and local businesses post scholarships targeting residents in their area.
   • Religious groups, Rotary clubs, and nonprofits (e.g., United Way, YMCA) often have small, accessible awards.
   • State government websites (e.g., California Student Aid Commission) provide regional grant programs.

4. Corporate and Employer Programs:

   • Companies like Walmart, Coca-Cola, and Dell offer employee scholarships or community-based awards.
   • Employer tuition assistance programs may fund employees’ or dependents’ education.

5. Nonprofit and Foundation Opportunities:

   • Organizations like the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund, and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation focus on underrepresented groups.
   • Foundation directories (e.g., Foundation Directory Online) list grants aligned with specific demographics or interests.

6. Government Assistance:

   • Federal Pell Grants and state grants (e.g., TEXAS Grant, Cal Grant) are need-based and require FAFSA submission.
   • AmeriCorps, military programs (e.g., GI Bill), and Peace Corps offer education awards in exchange for service.

7. Competitive Prestigious Awards:

   • Prestigious scholarships like the Fulbright, Rhodes, or Gates Millennium require nomination but cover full funding globally.
8. Direct Applications:
   • Check the financial aid sections of target colleges’ websites for automatic consideration merit scholarships.
   • Search scholarships by keywords on Google (e.g., [major] + [state] + "scholarship").

Always verify deadlines, eligibility criteria, and application legitimacy through school counselors or official websites. Many applications require essays, recommendations, or transcripts, so start early.