Value Colleges Publishes "Apply Now: Top 50 College Scholarships for 2017-2018 School Year"

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Value Colleges (www.valuecolleges.com), an independent online guide to the best values in undergraduate and graduate education, is pleased to share their online guide for prospective college students, "Apply Now: Top 50 College Scholarships for 2017-2018 School Year" at http://www.valuecolleges.com/scholarships/50-scholarships-2017/.

The cost of a college education has been going up for quite a while, but in the 21st century the average college tuition, even at public universities, has grown much faster than the rate of inflation. This has caused headaches and anxieties for many students and prevented some prospective students from taking the plunge into a higher degree that could help improve their career opportunities and earnings in the long run. For students looking for help paying for college from any and every source, Value Colleges has put together the Top 50 College Scholarships to guide students to some overlooked, unusual, or exceptionally helpful scholarship programs and awards that have the potential to secure financial assistance in time for the 2017-2018 school year.

The Top 50 College Scholarships guide is not a ranking, but a listing of scholarship programs Value Colleges believes will be of interest to its readers, especially working adult, minority, and low-income students.

The full list, in alphabetical order, reads as follows:

American Culinary Federation Education Foundation/American Academy of Chefs

American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest

American Legion - National High School Oratorical Contest

American Sleep Medicine Foundation High School Video Contest

Arborjet Taking Root Scholarship

Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

Becas Univision Scholarship Program

BHW Group Women in STEM Scholarship

Bill of Rights Institute "We the Students" Essay Contest

Buick Achievers Scholarship Program

Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Daughters of the American Revolution - Richard and Elizabeth Dean Scholarship

Digital Responsibility E-Waste Scholarship

Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award

The Dream US National Scholarship

Duck Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Engebretson Scholarship Foundation

Fleet Reserve Association Education Foundation Scholarships

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Scholarships

The Gallery Collection Create-a-Greeting Card Scholarship

Henry David Thoreau Foundation Scholarship

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Hollister Co. Anti-Bullying Scholarship

ICMA-RC Public Employee Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Pro Deo and Pro Patria Scholarships

LendingTree Scholarship

Microsoft Corporation Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarships

Military Commanders' Scholarship Fund

National Coalition Against Censorship - Youth Free Expression Film Contest

National Geographic Bee Scholarship

New York Women in Communications Scholarship Program

Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship

Optimist International

Penguin Random House - Annual Signet Classics Scholarship Essay Contest

PFLAG Chapters Scholarship Programs

Phi Theta Kappa-International Scholar Laureate Program Scholarship

The Point Foundation Scholarships

Queer Foundation High School Seniors English Essay Contest

Richard L. Resurreccion Public Safety Scholarship

Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarship

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Fund

UNCF/Anthem Corporate Scholars Program

UNCF General Scholarship Program

UNCF STEM Scholars Program

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Walmart Associate and Dependent Scholarships

Wells Fargo CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes

The unprecedented rise in tuition rates in the last two decades, according to lead editor Carrie Sealey-Morris, "affects some segments of students more than others. First-generation college students, non-traditional students (that is, older, working adults), minority, and low-income students face the biggest challenges when it comes to paying for college." Sealey-Morris goes on to explain, "This difficulty only serves to increase the education gap between the middle class and the rest of Americans."

There are, however, a multitude of scholarship programs and contests which are little known to many because they are either too hidden, obscure, or specialized for the majority. But a great number of options are available, many of which target a specific demographic. "The best of all," says Sealey-Morris, "are the little known scholarships, because they give applicants a higher chance of winning."

Value Colleges has a mission to help future students--whether they are working professionals, new graduates, minority and first-generation students, or others - to find residential and online degree programs that will help them make their goals a reality. Value Colleges is independent and unbiased, ranking degree programs, providing guides for the complex financial and professional questions of college students, and offering honest facts about the potential and pitfalls of a college education.

Media Contact:
Carrie Sealey-Morris, editor
Value Colleges
[email protected] 
(512)710-9901
https://www.facebook.com/valuecolleges

SOURCE Value Colleges