Scholarship Search Websites

Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes and are the most sought after financial aid tool by parents and students. You need to search for ALL types of scholarships to find any and every scholarship you may qualify for.

There are two types of scholarships:

College specific scholarships: These are awarded by the college you are applying to and will be awarded based on academics, SAT/ACT scores, talents, etc. To find out what scholarships are available, call the financial aid office at your college/university/school of choice or go to their website and click on "financial aid" or "scholarships."

Outside source Scholarships: These are awarded to students for meeting a wide variety of qualifications. Each outside scholarship has its own deadlines, its own qualifications and its own award amount—these must be researched.  

 Scholarship Search Tips

Search Online: When searching online, be as specific as possible. Simply typing in "scholarships" will yield thousands of hits. Use qualifiers such as the names of schools and programs of study to help narrow the field. You should never pay money to investigate scholarships. Scholarship providers do not require a fee from students.

Check your prospective schools: Go to their website or call the financial aid office. Don't assume that by applying for admission, you are applying for scholarships. It's often a separate process. Be aware that scholarship deadlines can be different from the college admission application deadlines. Raising your GPA and test scores in high school will help increase your chances of earning merit aid scholarships.

Dig into your network: Do you belong to a church group or a local chapter of a national club? Are either of your parents a member of a union or civic group? Does either parent work for a large corporation? Many of these types of organizations offer scholarships to members and their children. Check out the PTA, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, churches, foundations, credit unions, and other groups in your town. There is often less competition for these scholarships since they are awarded locally.

Don't ignore Scholarships: Apply for as many as you qualify for even if they are for smaller award amounts, it all adds up!

Search every year: Many scholarships are available for other grade levels other than seniors, so don't wait, start looking when you are in 8th or 9th grade.

Start your search early: It takes time to research, request information, and complete your applications, so don't procrastinate. In addition, make sure to search continuously throughout the school year.

Deadlines vary by scholarship: Some deadlines may be the summer before your senior year, others in the fall or as late as spring. To stay organized and keep track of due dates, we recommend keeping a calendar, and making your earliest deadline the deadline for all of your applications. DO NOT MISS YOUR DEADLINES! You will have no recourse if your application is late, and you will have zero chance of receiving that award.

Be Active/Join Clubs/Volunteer: Scholarship committees look favorably on those who participate in extracurricular activities and are active in their communities.

Stay Organized: Keep a checklist of submission requirements and due dates, set calendar reminders, print a copy of your application/submission documents, for your records.

Follow Instructions: Watch your essay length and submit only materials that are requested. Proofread your application(s) to avoid embarrassing spelling or grammar errors, and be sure your writing is legible.  Be sure to fill in and answer all the necessary questions before submitting your application.

BE AWARE of SCAMS: For a good website that discusses what to look for in scholarship scams, go to: Scholarship Scams

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