Scholarships are becoming harder to compete for due to the economy and the number of people looking to further their education. Remember that in addition to national scholarships there are also state awards, local corporation grants, money from foundations and special interest group scholarships. Look into all of these options when you are trying to find ways to pay for schooling.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation helps students who are looking to attend college and change their lives. If you are a United States citizen, are a minority student and have been approved

for a four year college then consider applying. Similar to other applications you'll need to include your sat scores, high school transcript, write an essay and get recommendations. You should already have these materials for your admission applications so they should be readily available. The deadline for the next academic year is March 15th, 2011. Students have received up to seventy five hundred dollars a year to help with college expenses. If you are accepted, you'll find out by June 1st, 2011.

Over one thousand students have already won an award from the Jackie Robinson Foundation. They've given out over twenty million dollars out since their inception in scholarships alone and over seventy million for their related programs. The organization is proud that over ninety five percent of the students they've funded have graduated. It is important to have some evidence of community service in your area. In your essay, let the JR Foundation know about your leadership skills and how you've used these skills in various settings.

One eligibility factor they require is that the sat score is combined to be at least 1000 in the areas of both math and reading. In order to qualify, let them know about your economic situation as financial need is a requirement.

Jackie Robinson was not only an amazing baseball player but also was an activist for civil rights and grew up in a single parent home. Before him, no other African American was a player in the major leagues. Robinson is a legend and stole home base over eighteen times. His wife set up the Foundation after his death.

Although the Robinson scholarship has a deadline in March, keep in mind that many college awards have deadlines for the applications in January or February. Calculate this into your plans as you fill out the college admission and funding forms for the 2011 academic year.