Have you heard about the millionaire next door?  It's the title and theme of a book that describes how people of wealth are all around you and they are probably driving a Ford Taurus, not a Lexus.  I know this is true because I've met them.  These are the same people who start scholarship programs.  You may already know about the Gates Millenium Scholars or the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund but the competition to win those scholarships is fierce.  If you are a top-achieving student, then you should apply for those national scholarships.  What if you're a B student who feels bulldozed by the 4.0 valedictorian who leads every student organization, feeds the poor, volunteers at church, has been on the news and has published their first novel?  You still apply for scholarships, but different ones.  You find the scholarships funded by the "millionaire next door."  Huh?

These are the scholarships that a local business woman or business man started to help a deserving kid in the community.  Local professional groups might have members who each pitch in a few bucks so they can help another student become an accountant, teacher, pharmacist or engineer. These scholarships usually have boring, long, old-fashioned names like the Adelaide T. Boronski Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Doesn't sound cute...but how will it feel to walk away with a $1,000 scholarship?   (fictional scholarship! I don't want to crash anyone's server by posting the real name)

My point is this:  if you are new to the scholarship search, think locally.  Tell everyone you know that you want to go to college and you are looking for scholarships.  Look up old graduation bulletins or programs to see what scholarships were awarded in the past. You will be surprised at what's out there.