Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Counseling Department offers scholarship information for students

To assist with the challenges of college expenses, the Willowbrook Counseling Department shares the following information regarding scholarships, which can help relieve that financial burden.

Scholarships are a great way to help with the costs of attending college. There is quite an array of scholarships, so there is something for everyone. Many scholarships are based on merit, but there also are some based on ethnicity, gender, volunteer work, future education plans, financial status and many other factors. Students can search and apply for scholarships through multiple avenues, including:

• Financial aid page of the colleges/universities to which they apply
  
  
• Student’s or parent’s employer (many companies offer scholarships for children of their employees)
  
  
• National scholarship search sites such as Fastweb.com, www.Scholarships.com or https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/index.html
  
  
• A large focus at Willowbrook is local scholarship offerings. There are many businesses and organizations throughout DuPage County that offer scholarships for students. Seniors can view these opportunities on the Scholarships Google Classroom. Scholarships are posted regularly, and students can apply and submit their materials right into the Google Classroom. Students are encouraged to check often, as deadlines are swiftly approaching.
  
  
• Other helpful information regarding scholarship opportunities can be found at https://dupage88.libguides.com/c.php?g=657101&p=4612003.
  
  
• With nearly 30 percent of our students attending a two-year or technical school after graduation, we encourage members of the class of 2024 to visit the College of DuPage scholarship site at https://www.cod.edu/costs/scholarships/index.html. There are a number of scholarships and opportunities based on academic achievement, financial need, field of study and population. The deadlines for these scholarship applications are coming up, so students are encouraged to apply soon.
  
  
• BigFuture Scholarships is a program offered by College Board that guides students through the college-planning process and offers them a chance to earn money for college with each action they complete. Students have the opportunity to earn entries in monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships by completing steps to plan for life after high school. To learn more about this program, go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships. 

For questions or more information about scholarships, contact Scott Forcash in the Willowbrook Counseling Department at sforcash@dupage88.net or 630-530-3420.