Ah, scholarships - the brass rings of post-secondary education funding. They're something every student should take the time to apply for, though some have no clue how to find them in the first place (or can't be bothered to look).

Since you're reading this, though, chances are good you want to begin the quest - but where to start? Fortunately, unearthing scholarships you're eligible for is as easy as following four simple steps:

Start with your own activities

A good place to start your scholarship search is to take good long look at the person involved - namely, YOU.

Make a list of every organization you're involved with, your hobbies and interests, your place of employment, volunteer endeavors, and your degree major/career plans.

Then, list in hand, do an online search for and of the websites of relevant organizations and talk to the local people in charge of the groups you have connections with to find out about any and all related scholarship opportunities.

You may find that your part-time job makes you eligible for an employee scholarship. Similarly, your time as a Girl Guide or volunteering at a local charity may also open the door to funding. Meanwhile, your plans to pursue studies in, say, dentistry could make you eligible for scholarships from local, provincial, or even national professional organizations in that field.

Other basic details about yourself may give you some more scholarship fodder to work with. There are scholarships out there for people of certain ethnicities or religious backgrounds, those with medical conditions or physical disabilities, single parents, former military members, and so on. In some cases, simply being a woman going into a male-dominated career field can score you access to additional financial support.

Identifying all the things that make you, well, you is the first step to knowing where to look for scholarships.

Branch out to your family's involvements

You know that list you just made for yourself? Well, make another one for your parents.

Your parents' affiliations with any number of different groups or organizations - community service groups, religious organizations, professional associations, unions, even their place of work - may be your key to gaining access to a wealth of scholarships and awards offered to members' families. Ask your parents to talk to the people in their human resources department at work or the leaders of any community groups they're involved with to get the low-down on available scholarships.

Of course, your family includes more than just your parents; the affiliations of extended family members may also provide access to scholarships. Maybe your grandfather fought in the Second World War, and now his veteran's legion offers scholarships to grandchildren. Or another family member may be able to provide a lead for some hard-to-find scholarships they know of through their connections. You never know until you ask.

Talk to people in the know

When searching for scholarships, one person you should absolutely consult is your high school guidance counsellor. They'll have information not only about national awards you may be eligible for, but also for many local ones as well. Many communities offer scholarships from local businesses and groups, and your guidance counsellor will know the ins and outs of such awards (keeping in mind that while local awards may be smaller, there's usually also a smaller pool of potential applicants, thus increasing your chances significantly).

Also check with the university or college that you're planning on (or are currently) attending. The financial aid or awards offices will have postings of general and school-specific scholarships, and the counsellors there may also be able to point you towards other awards, including ones that might not be well-known and, thus, receive fewer applications.

Do some online research

Aside from searching through the websites of organizations you or your family members have connections to, the most basic online research would include heading to your search engine of choice and seeing what you get when you type in "scholarships" and certain keywords from your individual "who-are-you" list. Say, "scholarships for single mothers" or "scholarships for rural students".

This is a start, but utilizing a good scholarship-specific search site is a much faster, more comprehensive idea. Websites like our own ScholarshipsCanada.com allow you to search for scholarships at certain schools or in specific fields. Similar other sites get you to create a detailed profile and then send you information on awards you're eligible for.

The key to a good scholarship search is persistence, persistence, and a little more persistence. Look under every rock, talk to everyone you know, don't underestimate your own achievements and involvements, and don't stop until you have a sizeable list of scholarships just waiting to hear from you, the hopeful applicant.

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