Paying for College

Funding your future education, whether you plan to attend community college, a four-year university, or a vocational program, will require multiple financial sources. Regardless of where it comes from, all funds can be stacked, so it is in your best interest to explore all the financial pathways available to you.

Federal and State Financial Aid
Search National Scholarships
College-Specific Scholarships
WA State Scholarships
LHS and Local Scholarships
Activities Scholarships
a pot of gold coins

6 Smart Ways to Fill Up Your College Pot of Gold!

  1. Federal & State Financial Aid: FAFSA and State Grants.

  2. National Scholarships: Matchmaking websites can point you toward opportunities in niche categories, such as the activities you participate in, the places you have lived or visited, or even your future profession.

  3. WA State Scholarships: Opportunities available to in-state or regional students.

  4. School-Issued Scholarships: Schools typically offer general scholarship applications that need to be submitted separately from the admissions application.

  5. LHS & Local Scholarships: Exclusive to LHS seniors or Stevens/Spokane County.

  6. Activities Scholarships: Earn college money for the things you love doing!

Helpful Hints Before You Begin:

  • Apply to as many scholarships as you can. On average, students are awarded one scholarship for every six applications submitted. Since scholarships are a numbers game, plan to apply to at least a dozen.

  • While this may seem like a lot of effort, the initial investment of your time can really pay off! In many cases, you can utilize the same recommendations and repurpose essays with a few tweaks. And if you spend two hours on a $500 scholarship, then you just earned $250 an hour!

  • Don't overlook the smaller-dollar scholarships. These usually have less competition, and four $500 scholarships turns into $2,000.

  • Ensure your scholarship applications are the BEST they can be to stand out and impress the selection committee. Build in extra time to have a parent, teacher, or Mrs. Perry in the LHS College and Career Center review your application materials and essays prior to submission.

  • Beware of scams. As a general rule, it should never cost money to find or apply to scholarships. Also be wary of any organization that asks for sensitive information, such as your Social Security Number or banking details. Awarded funds are generally released directly to the educational institution in your name. You will be asked for additional information if you are selected.