by Dale Clifton, The Scholarship Doctor

There are two kinds of fishing families and two kinds
of families wanting college scholarships. And, there
are amazing similarities between them.

Weekend fishing families do not spend time researching
opportunities. They grab the kids, jump into the car, and
race to the nearest bait shop. Where is a good place to
take the kids? Are the fish biting? Thanks! We'll take
three dozen worms, please.

Then, they head for the lake. They catch a few bluegills,
have a picnic and go home.

The weekend scholarship family's search habits are
sporadic. They spend no time thinking about scholarship
possibilities until the junior or senior year. They
believe their family income may be too high. They're
convinced that their student's GPA may be a little on
the low side. "We don't believe that a C+ or B- is good
enough to win." They have never contacted the guidance
office about sch! olarship opportunities, and they are
ready to settle for government-backed loans. "Loan-aid"
can run from $50,000 to a $100,000 and more! Who needs
it?

This haphazard scholarships family falls for two major
fallacies: Students of families with lower incomes get
the scholarships. Yes, 80% of all scholarships are given
to students who have a financial need, but almost 20% go
to students on a meritorious basis.

Another falsehood: Only "A" students get the bucks.
Again, many winners have "A" GPA's. But, winners also
have GPA's ranging from C to B+. And the federal
government has sponsored some in the "D" category.
Since the scholarship pie totals billions of dollars,
there is enough money for those who prepare for it.

The planning fishing family knows where t! he fish are.
They discovered a lake that produces big bass. They
wait for the right weather. The boat is gassed up. The
fish locator is working properly. They have a variety
of baits. And one morning, a car, boat and trailer can
be seen pulling out of the driveway. That lake is their
destination. The boat trolls the edges of the lake
catching many good-sized bass. This family finishes
early before it gets too hot. They conducted research
and were rewarded for their efforts.

The serious family starts early, finds sources and
notifies the guidance office.

Perhaps your family has college-bound students. Will
you be like the family who didn't care about what
happened, expecting small results with fish and
scholarships, or will you be like the family who
planned their outing and scholarship searches and
experienced huge financial success?

Will you settle for bluegills and accept loans or fish
for bass and plan for scholarship gold?

Always remember, the scholarship effort is truly a
family affair.

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©2005 The Scholarship Doctor, Dale Clifton - All
Rights Reserved - Dale is an educational consultant
and expert at helping families win college
scholarships. To learn more about planning to win
scholarships, visit http://ScholarshipDoctor.com