Scholarships are awarded for academic performance, athletic ability, family income, ethnicity, or career interests. And thousands of scholarships are available for children wanting to go to college. Your child will apply for scholarships at the same time she applies to colleges, so begin your scholarship research when you are deciding on schools. Here's a list of materials most schools request from students applying for a scholarship:

• High school transcripts
• Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, etc.)
• Financial aid forms, such as the FAFSA
• Parents' financial information, including tax returns
• One or more essays
• One or more letters of recommendation
• Proof of eligibility (e.g., membership credentials)

Parent Action Items:

• Help your child stay organized by creating a list of scholarships and noting the deadlines and requirements for each.
• Help your child proofread his scholarship applications to make sure there are no errors. Follow instructions and make copies of everything you send.
• Don't leave any blanks on the applications and get your scholarship applications in early.
• If your child is applying for a talent-based scholarship, an audition, performance, or portfolio may be required, so you may need to help here, too.

Visit www.collegeboard.com for more information about applying to scholarships.