Keep the following tips in mind when using the Internet or scholarship search organizations to find student financial assistance for education and training after high school:

 First, ask about possible sources of financial assistance in your local community and state, such as businesses, community groups, schools, religious and civic organizations.

 Your local library may have scholarship books available in the reference section.

 Be cautious of scholarship scams. Visit the Federal Trade Commission online at www.ftc.gov for more information.

You should not be required to provide credit card information to use a free scholarship search.

 Many online financial assistance search services request information about you in order to find financial assistance programs you may be eligible for. Some of these companies may send you information about other services that they provide or even sell your information to another company. Read the fine print carefully.

 Many online financial assistance search services list duplicate programs; however, the more services you use, the greater your chances of finding additional programs.

 If you are interested in federal student loans, do not apply for them online go through office at the school you are planning to attend and ask about the process to apply for student loans.

SCHOLARSHIP LINKS

A Nurse I Am: www.ANurseIAm.com; scholarships for nursing students, deadline February 29.

American Indian College Fund: http://www.collegefund.org/; financial aid for tribal colleges

American Indian Higher Education Consortium: www.aihec.org; scholarship information for Native American students

Back to College Resources for Re-Entry Students: www.back2college.com; scholarship information for adult and returning students, minorities, women, and graduate and professional students.

Career One Stop: Your source for career exploration, training, jobs & scholarships http://careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/ScholarshipCategory.asp?searchtype=category&nodeid=22

College Board Grant Search & Info: www.collegeboard.org/fundfinder; search more than 3,300 national, state, public, and private financial assistance programs

*College Connection: www.collegescholarships.com; free scholarship information page

College Fund/UNCF: www.unitednegrocollegefund.org; scholarships for students who attend United Negro College Fund colleges and universities