Scholarships and Grants
Find Money You Don't Have to Repay
Scholarships and grants can help reduce what you and your family need to pay for education after high school.
Unlike student loans, scholarships and grants generally do not need to be repaid as long as you meet the requirements of the award.
They may come from the federal or state government, colleges, employers, foundations, community organizations, and other sources.
The more scholarships and grants you receive, the less you may need to cover through savings, income, payment plans, or student loans.
What's the Difference?
Grants
Grants are often awarded based on financial need, although eligibility requirements vary by program.
They may come from:
- Federal government
- State government
- Colleges and universities
- Private organizations
For many federal and state grants, completing the FAFSA is the first step.
Explore Federal & State Grants →
Scholarships
Scholarships may be awarded based on many different criteria.
These might include:
- Academic achievement
- Career or education goals
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Activities or athletics
- Talents or accomplishments
- Financial need
- Employment
- Membership or affiliation
- Personal experiences or circumstances
- Other criteria established by the scholarship provider
Some scholarships require an application, essay, recommendation, interview, or other materials.
Others may automatically consider students based on an admission or financial aid application.
Start With the FAFSA
Completing the FAFSA can open the door to multiple sources of financial aid.
FAFSA information is used to determine eligibility for federal grants and is also used for many state and college financial aid programs.
Some scholarships and grants require additional applications, so completing the FAFSA shouldn't be the end of your search.
Check With Your College
Some Aid Comes Directly From the School
Colleges and universities may offer their own scholarships and grants.
Awards may be based on:
- Academic achievement
- Financial need
- Major or program
- Talent
- Athletics
- Leadership
- Other institutional priorities
Find out:
- Whether a separate scholarship application is required
- Which deadlines apply
- Whether you're automatically considered for certain awards
- Whether an award is renewable
- What you must do to keep the award in future years
Research financial aid and scholarship opportunities at every school you're considering.
Search Beyond the College
Scholarships can come from many places.
Look for opportunities through:
- Community foundations
- Local businesses
- Employers
- Professional associations
- Service organizations
- Religious or community organizations
- Career and industry groups
- State and national organizations
Your school counselor may also know about local scholarships that aren't widely advertised.
Don't limit your search to large national awards. Smaller local scholarships can be valuable and may have fewer applicants.
Apply for More Than One
You don't need to find one scholarship that pays for everything.
Several smaller awards can add up.
A $500 scholarship may help pay for books. A $1,000 scholarship might help with transportation or fees. Multiple awards can reduce the amount you need to cover from other resources.
Build scholarship searching into your routine and continue looking even after you've been admitted to college.
Scholarship opportunities may be available throughout high school, college, and graduate or professional education.
Know What You're Applying For
Before spending time on an application, review the eligibility requirements.
Make sure you understand:
- Who is eligible
- What the award covers
- Application deadline
- Required materials
- Whether an essay is required
- Whether recommendations are required
- How recipients are selected
- Whether the award is renewable
- What you must do to keep the award
Follow the directions carefully.
A strong application can't help you if it's incomplete or submitted after the deadline.
Stay Organized
Scholarship applications can quickly become difficult to manage.
Create a system for tracking:
- Scholarship name
- Eligibility requirements
- Deadline
- Application link
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Transcripts or other documents
- Submission status
- Award notifications
Give yourself enough time to complete each application thoughtfully.
Find Scholarships →
Get Application Tips →
Watch for Scholarship Scams
You Shouldn't Have to Pay to Apply for a Scholarship
Be cautious of scholarship offers that:
- Charge an application fee
- Guarantee you'll receive money
- Promise exclusive access to scholarships
- Pressure you to act immediately
- Ask for unnecessary financial or personal information
- Request bank or credit card information as part of a scholarship search
- Contact you unexpectedly with an award you don't remember applying for
Research the sponsoring organization before providing personal information.
Legitimate scholarship searching doesn't require paying someone to find opportunities for you.
Learn About Identity Theft & Financial Scams →
Understand the Award
If you receive a scholarship or grant, celebrate—but also read the requirements.
Find out:
- How and when the money will be paid
- Whether it goes directly to the school
- What expenses it can cover
- Whether the award is renewable
- Whether you must maintain a certain GPA or enrollment level
- Whether other requirements continue after you receive the award
Tell your college financial aid office about outside scholarships you receive so the school can include them when determining your complete financial aid package.
Scholarships & Grants Are Part of the Bigger Plan
Scholarships and grants can make education more affordable, but don't evaluate them in isolation.
Once you receive financial aid offers, look at:
Total Cost of Attendance - Scholarships & Grants = Estimated Remaining Cost
Then determine how you'll cover what remains.
The goal isn't simply to receive the largest scholarship.
It's to find an education and financial plan you can realistically afford.
Learn About College Costs →
Learn How to Compare Financial Aid Offers →
