It’s no secret that college can be a financial burden on students and their families, but many schools – Gannon included – hit the mark on sending much-needed aid to students.

If you’ve already applied for scholarships outside of Gannon, don’t think you’ve exhausted all routes for finding extra cash for college. The college itself offers many scholarship and aid opportunities that many outside sources like FastWeb don’t give you (although FastWeb is still a great place to start). Read on for ten ways we bet you didn’t know you could get a Gannon scholarship.

10. Let’s start with one that many students qualify for without even knowing it: the Founders Scholarship. This one is for students who graduate with a GPA of 3.8 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) and achieve a 1250 (out of 1600) SAT score, or a 28 ACT score. Students have until the end of their senior year to achieve that test score, and even if they take the test more than once the highest score will take precedence.

9. Gannon also offers many scholarships based on your academic major. Are you planning to major in business? If you are, then the Business Excellence Award may be for you.

8. What about education? If you’re spending your time at Gannon working toward a future of enlightening young minds much like your own, you could qualify for the Teaching Scholars Award if you meet the academic requirements.

7. The Leadership Scholarship is available to students who have shown excellence in participation in extracurricular activities as well as their academic performance.

6. Some aid is granted based on students’ participation and success in a number of competitions. For example, placing in first, second or third in any of the following competitions can be worth money towards your college education: chemistry; education; biology; Spanish, French and German; engineering design; writing; and engineering/math.

5. Also in the category of competitions rests participation in the Model United Nations, in which students can receive scholarship money.

4. Although there are some writing and language competitions, those students more focused on the humanities than the sciences may want to look into the Schuster Patron of the Arts Scholarship. This is open to those students who are involved in the arts. This competitive scholarship – unlike some of the others – and it has a separate application, which is due Feb. 1. So if you’re interested, get going!

3. As a Catholic university, Gannon offers a number of faith-based scholarships. Graduates of any Catholic high school receive scholarships. Additionally, the Bishop Academic Achievement Award, the Diocesan High School Grant and the Diocesan Parish Grant are available to those students who are members of the Diocese of Erie, and vary on qualifications based on attendance of a Catholic school in the area.

2. Not all scholarships are awarded based on test scores – some spring from your athletic ability and achievement. Play a sport in high school and aren’t sure what to do from there? Here’s where we can help: Gannon coaches award Athletic Scholarships based on demonstrated athletic ability in your respective sport. Some of these include football, soccer, basketball, water polo and diving. Click here for a complete list of the sports Gannon offers.

1. Finally, there is the possibility of obtaining a full tuition scholarship: the Valedictorian Scholarship. To earn this scholarship, you must be accepted to Gannon and be ranked No. 1 in your high school graduating class. Test score restrictions are slightly stricter for this, but it’s worth it if you can get your scores accomplished by January 15. If you post an SAT score of 1250 (out of 1600) or higher or ACT score of 28 or higher by this time – and you’re ranked first in your class – the Valedictorian Scholarship may be for you.

Now, these are only the beginning. Even more scholarships and forms of financial aid are available to students – check them out at Gannon’s scholarships page. Make sure to talk to your enrollment adviser about what you qualify for. For general information, you can always call us at 1-800-GANNON-U.

Have more questions about college and money issues? You may also like Chelsey Klube’s article about organizing your finances while in college.