HOUSTON — The pursuit of higher education for many students comes with an even higher price tag, leading some to pursue scholarships.
"Scholarships are literally everywhere," said Leann Cyr, the president and founder of Le Cyr Consulting.
However, finding them is a task Cyr, who also launched the College to Career program, said can seem a bit daunting.
"I think that a lot of people, when the subject of scholarships comes up, they feel very intimidated," said Cyr.
With an estimated $46 billion dollars in scholarship money awarded every year -- according to the U.S. Department of Education -- it may be challenging to know where to even begin.
Experts said the best way to find scholarships is to ask your college or university what they offer, reach out to businesses in your career of choice, and speak with your school guidance counselor, along with reaching out to many religious organizations.
"What's more important than finding the scholarships, because they're relatively easy to find, is qualifying for the scholarship," Cyr explained.
From merit-based to athletic scholarships, experts said an early start to preparation is key -- especially for students heading into their final year of middle school.
"Start thinking out and start mapping out how am I going to spend the next four years to make sure that it's meaningful, that there's a common thread throughout the four years that I'm in school, that my grades are strong, my extracurriculars are strong and my test scores are strong," said Cyr.
Those are factors Cyr said could ultimately be the difference between a full ride and a partial ride.
"Find what you're passionate about, what you love doing and showcase that over the course of the next four years and that's what admissions counselors want to see, they want to see more of who you are," Cyr said.
For more information on accessing scholarships and College to Career, click here.