"Apply to as many scholarships as you can!" This has been one of the most common recommendations for college hopefuls who need student aid to pursue their higher education. And for those of you who aren't sure of making the cut, one thing you can do is apply to as many scholarship opportunities out there as you can. By expanding your pool of scholarship providers, you boost your chances at bagging at least one scholarship to finance your education.

Applying for multiple scholarships shouldn't be a problem, since tons of opportunities are out there for you to consider. Unfortunately, searching for the right scholarships is still a little difficult for many students. Because although thousands of scholarships are up for grabs out there, a lot of college aspirants are still confused about which ones they could actually qualify for.

Part of this confusion stems from a myth that scholarships are based on academic or athletic merit. Because applicants are immediately eliminated by such a limited scope of eligibility in traditional scholarships, people tend to think that their options are likewise limited.

But this isn't the case at all. Not only are there so many scholarships available each year, there are also so many types of scholarships offered as well. Chances are, you will find a scholarship that accommodates your unique strengths and is willing to help you pursue a college education. All you need to know is where you can look for scholarships that match you and your professional goals.

One of the most reliable sources of information would be your high school guidance counselor. More often than not, guidance counselors have useful information regarding different types of scholarships offered in different colleges. Discuss with your guidance counselor where you plan to apply and which course you are planning to take, and then ask what your available scholarship options are. In addition, your guidance counselor would probably know your best attributes as a student and can therefore provide insights on what scholarships are tailored for you. High school guidance counselors may also give you advice on what you need to do to improve your chances of winning a scholarship award.

But guidance counselors aren't the only valuable sources of information in your high school. Club advisors in the organizations that you are a member of may also be knowledgeable in scholarships that put special emphasis on the extra-curricular activities you participate in. It could help you a lot if you ask for their advice as well. By doing so, you can have a better idea about which scholarships are available to you based on your strengths and interests as a student.

Now that you have a basic understanding of where you can start looking for scholarship opportunities, it's time to do the gritty work. Although you already have an idea of what scholarships are offered by the colleges you are interested in, don't limit yourself to the scholarships offered by academic institutions. Look for other scholarship providers that aren't as well-known so the competition isn't too stiff. There are many more sources that offer various types of scholarships, such as foundations or organizations like the Rotary Club or your local Masonic Lodge.

Of course, there are other general types of scholarships that are given based on sociological background such as need, heritage, ethnicity, religion etc. Understand which demography you belong to so you can see if there are more scholarships available to you. These scholarships may also be searched online. If you wish to, you may also contact your local government for more information regarding need based government student aids.

As long as you know where to search and how to search for scholarships that suit you, your options won't seem limited at all. For the current generation, searching and applying for different scholarships has become more convenient than ever, thanks to online resources that yield promising scholarship results with just a mouse-click. The rest depends on you and on how much you're willing to work to land a scholarship perfect for your own skills and talents.