How to Find College Scholarships: A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Scholarships don’t have to be repaid, and can be earned through academics, athletics, or other achievements.
• Scholarships can come from schools, states, non-profit organizations, or private companies.
• 53% of full-time, first-year students received institutional grants or scholarships, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Although college can be pricey, scholarships can make it more affordable. There are thousands of scholarships programs available through schools, states, non-profit organizations, and private corporations.

With so many options, finding and applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming. But, with this guide, you’ll have the information you need to maximize your chances of qualifying for financial aid.

The Different Types of Scholarships to Know

Scholarships are one of the best forms of financial aid. As a type of gift aid, they don’t have to be repaid, so they can reduce your education costs so you don’t need to take out as much in student loans.

Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit or particular characteristics. Here are just a few of the most common types:

Merit-based: These are opportunities based on your academic achievements.

Need-based: If your financial situation makes paying for college difficult, you may be eligible for need-based scholarships.

Athletics: If you’re an athlete, you could qualify for a scholarship if you intend to continue with the sport in college. Many athletes receive scholarships for college.

Underrepresented groups: If you’re part of a minority group, you may be eligible for certain scholarships. These can include everything from scholarships from ethnicity-based organizations to scholarships for women in STEM fields.

First-generation: If you’re the first person in your family to go to college, there are a host of scholarships for first-gen students.

Hobbies and Extracurriculars: If you excel at something unique, you could turn your hobby into a scholarship award.

How to Find Scholarships

Ready to start searching for a scholarship? There are several places to find them:

• High school counselor: Your high school counselor may have a list of potential scholarships and grants.
• College or university: The schools you apply to may offer you institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.
• Religious groups: Some churches and religious groups have their own scholarship programs.
• State agencies: Visit your state education agency to find state-based scholarships and other financial aid.
• Online databases: Online databases like FastWeb and Scholarships.com contain thousands of scholarship opportunities, and you can filter the results to match your profile.

How to Apply for Scholarship Opportunities

Once you’ve found a list of scholarship opportunities, follow these steps to apply for awards:

1. Gather information: While specific requirements vary by scholarship program, you usually need the following details:
   • A cover letter or personal statement
   • A resume highlighting your academic, athletic, or extracurricular activities or volunteer work
   • An essay
   • Copies of your transcripts
2. Make a list of deadlines: Scholarship deadlines are critical, and there is no room for error. Make a note of any deadlines on your calendar and set reminders so you don’t miss submission deadlines.
3. Request letters of recommendation: Scholarships often require letters of recommendation; you can request letters from teachers, high school counselors, church leaders, or your workplace manager.
4. Complete the essay: Scholarship essays must be unique for each opportunity, so spend some time developing a personalized essay. Proofread to make sure there aren’t any typos.
5. Double-check the requirements: Review the requirements to make sure you didn’t miss any details. For example, some programs require short video clips along with an essay.
6. Follow the instructions for submissions: Some scholarship programs have specific file and submission requirements, so review the instructions and follow them carefully.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Securing a Scholarship

Applying for scholarships takes time, but it can be well worth the effort. To maximize your chances of winning a scholarship, follow these tips.

• Start early: Many scholarship programs have deadlines early in the school year. The earlier you begin searching and applying for awards, the better off you’ll be.
• Apply to a mix: Scholarships can range from small awards of $500 to huge scholarships of $10,000 or more. There’s no limit to how many awards you can apply for, so apply for multiple scholarships. While the big scholarships of $10,000 or more are attractive, don’t forget about the smaller awards; you can combine multiple smaller scholarships to reduce your education costs.
• Focus on what makes you unique: Scholarship programs see thousands of applications. To make yourself stand out, highlight what makes you unique. Focus on your interests, your talents, and your community involvement.

Watch Out for Scholarship Scams

Unfortunately, scammers often try to take advantage of students applying for scholarships. If you receive a call, email, text, or letter asking for personal information related to your application, stop and think before acting.

If you don’t remember applying for the scholarship in question, be wary. Never give your personal or financial information to an unfamiliar person. If you’re asked to pay a fee to receive the funds, that’s an immediate red flag, too.

If you’re unsure if the information you’re receiving is real or a scam, call the sponsor directly. Don’t use the phone number or email provided on the potential spam since it may be faulty information. By staying alert, you can help protect yourself from these types of scams.

Scholarship Application FAQs

When should I start applying for scholarships?

It’s best to start applying for scholarships as soon as possible; some opportunities are available in your third year of high school, but you can apply for most awards in your final year or while a college student. The earlier in the academic year you begin, the better your odds of getting an award.

Do I need to complete the FAFSA to qualify for a scholarship?

Whether you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for a scholarship depends on the program; some scholarships require the FAFSA, but others do not.

How many scholarships can I apply for?

There is no limit to how many awards you apply for to pay for college. In fact, you can combine multiple awards to reduce how much you have to pay for tuition and other expenses.