Paying entire college expenses with scholarships

Question

After filling out about 40 scholarships and winning only 3 (which earned me $1500), I began to wonder how some people can win enough scholarships to pay for their entire cost of attendance? I mean, I was at the top of my class, had a great GPA, was involved in all sorts of activities in and out of school, and I didn't just b.s. my essays for the scholarships, either. I worked hard on them, re-typed all of the applications to make them look nice.. I don't know what I could have done differently, or made myself look more appealing to the scholarship organizations. I just don't understand.

Anyone have any ideas? And goodness, if you have any advice for next time, please let me in on it! :)

Answer 1

The best and easiest are thru your own college's financial aid dept.  

Answer 2

they find colleges that have huge endowments that want them to go there.  The colleges come up with the scholarship money for the students they want

Answer 3

You will have the best luck applying for scholarships directly from the school you are going to attend.  Those "full ride" scholarships people talk about are usually from the school.  Also you will have the best luck going for scholarships you have a personal connection with.  Your high school, your church, your bank, your girl scout troop and your moms work and such.

The economy stinks right now... time to get a part time job and save money.

EDIT: its buried way in the website under "Foundation".  Here are the links and info:

Undergraduate Scholarships

Each year many of Indiana's brightest college students receive outstanding educational opportunities through IU Bloomington's endowed scholarships. The Wells Scholars Program, the Kelley Scholars, the Hutton Honors College, and the Cox Scholarships, for instance, offer dozens of these students the financial and experiential resources they need to achieve their potential.