Q&A WITH SCHOLARSHIP COACH BEN KAPLAN

Back when Ben Kaplan was a student, he didn't know how he was going to pay for college. But with a healthy dose of determination, some dogged detective work, and a little elbow grease, Ben won more than two dozen scholarships worth $90,000--funds he could use at any school he chose. As the best-selling author of How to Go to College Almost for Free, Ben answers below some of the most frequently asked scholarship questions submitted at his CityofCollegeDreams.org website.

Q:  Are scholarships only for exceptional students?

BEN KAPLAN:  Many students mistakenly assume that they must have sky-high GPAs or amazing SAT scores to win merit scholarships. Although some scholarships use grades and test scores to evaluate merit, others use criteria such as extracurricular activity participation, leadership ability, community service involvement, artistic talent, special interests or hobbies, obstacles overcome, unique personal characteristics, family affiliations, and much more.

Furthermore, when grades do become a factor, some scholarship programs only require that applicants meet a minimum grade-point average (such as a 2.5 GPA). As long as an applicant meets that minimum bar, his or her academic performance isn't considered at all. The bottom line is that contrary to popular belief, "merit" is not another word for "academics."

Q:  When should I begin looking for scholarships?

BEN KAPLAN:  For many students, the process begins during the junior and senior years of high school. The earlier you can start, the better. Some students may even want to start searching for scholarships as early as seventh or eighth grade because of the many learning programs and contests for younger kids that include scholarship awards (often in the form of a cash prize or U.S. savings bond).

But it's never too late to get in the scholarship game. Once students select their academic majors and potential career paths in college, a wide range of corporations, foundations, professional associations and community groups likely offer scholarships in those specific fields. Several parents I have interviewed not only helped their kids earn college cash, but then also helped themselves!

Q:  How can I get started with my scholarship search?

BEN KAPLAN:  To start your search, check out a variety of free Internet scholarship search databases.  After you fill out short questionnaires, these databases match you up with scholarships that fit your personal characteristics.  You can go to www.CityofCollegeDreams.org and use my free "Scholarship Surfer" tool to connect with and optimize these helpful resources.

Keep in mind that after submitting a scholarship application, it usually takes at least a couple of months to hear back about your award status.  So if you need funding for the current semester, get an affordable student loan right away and simultaneously begin work on your scholarship search.