There are many college scholarships and grants that are offered by national private or non-profit organizations. In order to qualify for one of these private grants or scholarships, there is usually a contest or drawing that you must enter. If you are notified that you won a scholarship or grant but you did not submit an entry for it, it is not likely a legitimate source of aid. There are often requirements, such as an essay, for these private scholarships and grants.

Here is a list of private scholarships that might interest you:

AAA Travel High School Challenge (Entry deadline: January-May)

ACLU Stand Up for Freedom Contest (Entry deadline: October 4)

Americanism Essay Contest (Entry deadline: December 1)

American Harlequin Dance Scholarship (Entry deadline: November 1)

AIDS Orphans in Africa Essay Contest (Entry deadline: April 15)

Akademos/TextbookX.com Scholarship Contest (Entry deadline: April 30)

AXA Achievement Scholarship Program (Entry deadline: early January)

AFSA National Scholarship Essay Contest (Entry deadline: October 4)

The BRICK Awards (Entry deadline: December 1)

Calgon “Take Me Away to College” Contest (Entry deadline: February 28)

Christopher College Video and High School Poster Contests (Entry deadline: early June)

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program (Entry deadline: mid-March)T

The Costume Society of America’s Stella Blum Research Grant (Entry deadline May 1 of every year)

Disabled American Veterans Youth Volunteer Scholarship Awards (Entry deadline: February 25)

D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (Entry deadline: June 30, 2008)

Discover Card Tribute Award (Entry deadline: January 31)

Duck Brand Duct Tape “Stuck at Prom” Contest (Entry deadline: May-June)

Environmental Essay Contest (Entry deadline: May 15)

Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest (Entry deadline: April 15)

Horatio Alger Association Scholarships (Entry deadline: October 15)

The Jeanette Rankin Foundation Scholarship Program

MoneyMatters101.com Scholarships (Entry deadline: August 31)

The National Society of Accountants Scholarship Foundation

Patricia M. McNamara Memorial Scholarship (Entry deadline: December 31)

Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship (Entry deadline: late April)

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards (Entry deadline: late October)

Tylenol Scholarship (Entry deadline: April 30)

The United Negro College Fund Scholarships Programs

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship (Entry deadline: February 20)

Voice of Democracy Essay Contest (Entry deadline: November 1)

William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (Entry deadline: September 15)