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Scholarships are one of the best ways to finance college – it's free money. That's why we list scholarships as the #1 option on our list of ways to pay for college.
But finding college scholarships is not an easy task. Because tuition costs are so high, competition for many local scholarships is fierce, and when searching for scholarships online, you have to wade through tons of junk to find the legitimate scholarships to apply for.
Even though searching for scholarships can be tedious, you should definitely do it. You might be surprised – the competition may not be as fierce as you think. And if you systematize your application process, you can apply for many scholarships in a short period of time.
Here's what you need to know about finding college scholarships.
What scholarships are there and how do I find them?
There are different types of scholarships. Some scholarships are merit-based. This means that your grades must be maintained at a certain level in order to receive them, or you must demonstrate exceptional performance in a sport or extracurricular.
Other types are awarded based on location, income, population size (e.g. a certain age), or degree. When looking for scholarships, it is important that you look for scholarships that you actually qualify for.
Here are some of the best strategies for finding college scholarships.
Do you like this infographic? A printable version can be found here: Infographic download.
Ask your parents to check with their employer
There are many employers who offer scholarships to the children of their employees. Ask your parents to contact the human resources department at work.
Here are just a few places that offer scholarship programs for children of their employees:
If you are currently employed, it is also a good idea to check with your employer to see if any scholarships are offered.
Try your financial aid office
Your financial aid office can provide you with information about various types of federal, state, work-study, and other campus scholarships.
After consulting with your parent's employer, your financial aid office should be the next step.
Note: Your school's financial aid office typically operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It is important that you apply and complete the FAFSA early. If you do not complete the FAFSA form, you will not be eligible for scholarships from your school.
If you get rejected early, you can try again in the summer after people make their decision to enroll. Some people who have been offered a scholarship may decline to enroll, thereby opening up access to additional funding that could be awarded to you.
Check with community and religious organizations
Many community and religious organizations offer scholarships locally. This includes sports teams, churches and even local restaurants. Even though the amounts of these scholarships may be low, they are still helpful and worth applying for.
Use the U.S. Department of Labor's free scholarship search tool
When it comes to finding scholarships, there are numerous scams online. One way to prevent fraud is to use the U.S. Department of Labor's free scholarship search tool.
This website allows you to search for scholarships based on state, degree level, and affiliation. This makes it easier to find other scholarships that may be suitable for you.
Check with professional associations
If you're going to college with a specific career in mind, it might be worth joining the professional organization in your niche. Almost every professional field has a professional organization, and in most cases joining is free or inexpensive. And best of all, many professional organizations offer scholarships!
Here are just a few professional organizations that offer scholarships:
Be sure to check out these extensive lists:
Search scholarship sites
Bold.org is a free website where you can find scholarships, internships, and more. When you create an account, you can search for scholarships based on your interests, degree, location, and skills. Because you can customize your search, you're much more likely to find scholarships you actually qualify for.
Check out this list of other scholarship search sites.
Try government grants
For government scholarships and grants, see our guide here: Student loans and government financial support. Just click on your state and see if something is available for you.
Government subsidies are provided in the form of free financial support. Some states require that you complete the FAFSA form to determine whether you are eligible for a scholarship. In other states, you must fill out a different application. For more information about requirements, contact your college's financial aid office.
Here are some of the different types of government grants available:
Needs-based grants – These are awarded based on financial need.
Performance-related grants – Such scholarships are awarded to people who demonstrate above-average performance. This can take the form of extracurricular activities, such as elite athletes or academic achievements.
Some states also provide a mix of need-based and performance-based grants.
Areas of study with high demand – Your state may award scholarships to students studying high-need STEM fields.
Student with disabilities – You may also find special government grants and even scholarships if you have a disability.
It is important to note that most government grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, make sure you submit your application on time.
Make sure you fill out a FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA, should be one of the first things you worry about. The FAFSA can help you obtain college scholarships and can also be used as an application for certain federal scholarships.
Using the FAFSA, you may be able to qualify for the following federal grants:
- Federal Pell Grants
- (FSEOG) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
- (TEACH Scholarships) Support for teacher training for colleges and universities
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
What you should pay attention to
There are tons of legitimate scholarships and grants you can apply for. While you should take the time to apply for as many scholarships as possible, you should also be wary of scammers. As a general rule of thumb, you should never pay an application fee and be wary of scholarship services that guarantee success. You also shouldn't pay for a scholarship list. If you look in the right places, you can find scholarships on your own.
If you still have a high tuition bill after applying for a scholarship, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Student Loan Debt for everything you need to know to make smart student financing decisions. You may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness based on your degree. So be sure to find out more about this too.
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