Scholarships are considered merit-based financial aid because they are awarded to students based on meeting specified criteria. They are considered gift aid because they do not have to be paid back. Scholarships recipients are selected for a wide variety of reasons. Common reasons include superior academic or athletic performance or capability. However, there are many other reasons that scholarships are awarded, and there are thousands of different ones available. It is important you begin your scholarship search early and spend an adequate amount of time to be very thorough.

Most scholarships require completing an application and many request that you write an essay about yourself. Some scholarships will ask you to include letters from people who know you (reference letters) stating why you should be selected, among many applicants, to receive the scholarship.

1. Visit Colleges' Scholarship webpages for each college you are interested in. They often have scholarships specific to incoming freshman.
   
   
2. Local scholarships are available for students in this area, including:
   
   
   1. Westminster Public Schools Foundation
   2. Randy E. Roybal Scholarship (for WPS 8th Graders)
   3. Rotary Clubs
      
      
3. Check the Future Center website here to learn about new scholarships! The lists below are updated frequently, so check back weekly!
   
   
4. Beginning as early as 9th grade, students can create an account on Raise.Me. Raise.Me is a FREE resource for students to begin earning microscholarships which will be awarded as a minimum scholarship at select colleges after high school graduation. 
   
   
5. Class of 2020 and beyond: College Board will be awarding scholarships to students simply for completing college-preparation steps such as building a list of colleges you are interested in, practicing for the SAT, and applying for the FAFSA. For more information, please click here. 
   
   
6. You can also do a national scholarship search using one of these search engines. Remember, you should NEVER pay money to apply for a scholarship:
   
   
   1. Tuition Funding Sources
   2. Denver Scholarship Foundation
   3. FastWeb
   4. Scholly
   5. GoingMerry
   6. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
   7. Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative
      
   8. ScholarshipOwl
      
      
7. Undocumented and DACA students, click here for specific scholarship information.