College often costs tens of thousands of dollars by the time you get your degree, and paying for those expenses can be a challenge. Many students rely on financial aid, such as scholarships, to help cover their school’s cost of attendance.
First-time, full-time students at a four-year institution were awarded an average of $14,890 in grant and scholarship aid, according to 2022 data from the National Center for Education Statistics. With so much funding up for grabs, learn where to find these opportunities and how to get a scholarship for college.
Types of scholarships
Finding money for college can feel daunting, especially if you don’t have much savings to fall back on. But if you’re willing to do some research, you can find scholarships that are awarded for countless reasons.
There are scholarship programs designed to recognize academic merit, athletic ability, financial need, underrepresented student groups, or even unique hobbies and niche interests. Here are common categories of scholarships you’ll find:
1. Merit-based scholarships
Scholarship aid for special skills and achievements are called merit-based scholarships. There are a few types of merit-based awards available, depending on your talent or scholastic success:
- Academic achievements: These include an exceptional GPA, honors recognition, class rank (such as valedictorian), and other distinguished awards.
- Athletic accomplishments: These are sports-based accolades you earn, such as team captain, Most Valuable Player, exceptional athletic stats, community sports recognition awards, and more.
- Artistic talents: Exhibiting talent outside of academics and athletics can also lead to merit-based scholarships. There are opportunities for students who’ve demonstrated an aptitude in art, theater, music, dance, woodworking, and other creative areas.
2. Need-based scholarships
Another type of scholarship is reserved for students who have financial need. Need-based awards are available to students whose households earn a low income below a certain threshold.
Although need-based scholarships use factors like income as an eligibility requirement, programs may also require students to maintain a certain level of academic performance.
Another type of need-based scholarship is specifically designed for students who’ve overcome a unique obstacle or challenge in their lives. For example, if you’ve spent time in foster care or are an emancipated minor who’s had to navigate responsibilities on your own, you may be eligible for aid.
3. Demographic-specific scholarships
Demographic-based scholarships might have minimum academic or need-based criteria, but also require that you’re part of a specific group. For example, some scholarships might be specifically for women, while others may be offered to people of color or those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Additionally, this type of scholarship might also narrow the applicant pool to a particular field of study. For example, you might find scholarships for students who are pursuing a marketing or engineering degree, or a specific career path, like social work.
One such example is the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, which offers scholarships to eligible students pursuing a nursing career.
4. Unique scholarships
If you have a unique hobby or unusual interest, chances are you’ll find at least one scholarship that’s designed for it.
For example, crafty students can enter the Duck Tape Stuck at Prom scholarship contest. It awards scholarship aid to students with the most creative and elaborate prom attire made out of Duck Tape.
Similarly, innovative ideas can lead to college aid. Some scholarships simply ask you to share your innovative thoughts on a topic of interest. The Unigo Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship, for example, asks applicants to imagine their school during a zombie apocalypse and explain their survival strategy.
How to get a scholarship for college
Getting a scholarship for college can be a time-intensive process, but getting organized and having a strategy can streamline things.
1. Research scholarship opportunities
The first step to getting a scholarship for college is researching the vast amount of available awards. Start at your high school guidance or career offices, or your college’s financial aid office. You can also broaden your search to see if local organizations and businesses offer a scholarship that you qualify for.
Finally, using online scholarship search tools is an effective way to find national scholarships, based on your unique interests. Popular scholarship databases include Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool.
2. Organize and prioritize awards
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of scholarships, decide which ones you’ll tackle first. Review each program’s application requirements, award amounts, and deadlines.
You can organize your strategy based on the potential award amount or which deadlines are coming up first. A spreadsheet can help you keep all the information in one place and easily sorted by your desired criteria.
3. Prepare a strong application
For each program, give yourself plenty of time to gather the items needed for your application. This might include letters of recommendation, school transcripts, acceptance letters, or a written essay.
Don’t be shy about repurposing some of your application materials for other scholarship programs. When doing so, however, recast your work to ensure the content and tone is unique to the scholarship sponsor and its scholarship prompt.
4. Submit scholarship applications
Before sending your scholarship application, double-check that you’ve fulfilled all of the program’s requirements. It's also helpful to have a trusted relative or detail-oriented friend proofread through your application and supporting materials to ensure there are no typos or unclear statements.
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Tips to win scholarships
It’s no surprise that scholarships can be competitive, but don’t let that stop you from applying. Here are some tips to maximize your awards and make your application shine:
- Start the scholarship search early: There’s no rule against getting an early start to your scholarship efforts. Generally, it’s a good idea to start searching for scholarships in your junior year of high school and applying during the summer before your senior year. Once you’ve started college, it's not too late — you can continue applying for each year you’re enrolled.
- Complete the FAFSA: Some awards — particularly those based on financial need — may require applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form often takes less than an hour to complete and should be submitted or renewed each year.
- Apply for multiple scholarships: Depending on the popularity of the award, there could be a slew of students applying. Apply to as many scholarships as you can qualify for and have time to complete.
- Don’t only apply for the big-ticket awards: The biggest awards often have large applicant pools, making it harder to stand out. You may have a better chance at winning a few smaller scholarships rather than one large prize, so don’t discount small-dollar awards.
- Tailor each scholarship application: Although you can repurpose some of your application to multiple scholarship opportunities, do so in a way that makes sense. For instance, if a scholarship’s essay prompt asks for specific details about your community service record, make sure you address it in your revision if your original work didn’t mention it.
- Showcase your uniqueness: Include details in your application that are quintessentially “you.” This includes your personal qualities along with academic and community accomplishments.
- Fulfill all award requirements: If you do win an award, be sure you understand and fulfill any additional requirements. For example, if you’ve earned a renewable merit-based scholarship, you might have to provide a copy of your transcripts each year to prove you’re still in good academic standing.
Scholarship alternatives
If you still need additional funding after you’ve maxed out scholarship opportunities, consider the following options:
Grants
Typically reserved for students with financial need, grants are another type of gift aid. Assuming that you fulfill all of the requirements of the grant program, you typically don’t need to repay the money.
You can find grants through the federal government, such as the Pell Grant, which is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. They can also be found through your state, school, and local community organizations.
When applying for college grants, make sure you satisfy all of the eligibility criteria and meet the specified deadlines.
Federal student loans
If you’ve exhausted your gift aid and your parents can’t help pay for college, consider borrowing federal student loans. The Department of Education offers fixed-rate loans to undergraduate and graduate students, depending on your aid eligibility. Any borrowed money must be repaid with interest upon leaving school.
While the money must be repaid, federal loans come with certain benefits and protections. Most don’t have any credit requirements, making them easy to qualify for. You can also access income-driven repayment plans or forgiveness opportunities, depending on your loan type.
If you’re a dependent undergraduate student, your parents might also be able to borrow a parent PLUS loan to help pay for your education. To apply for a federal loan, you must submit the FAFSA annually.
Private student loans
The final option to explore is private student loans. These are non-government education loans that are funded by private banks, credit unions, online lenders, state programs, and schools.
Private loans can have fixed or variable interest rates, and lenders determine eligibility criteria and repayment terms. Strong credit is typically a core requirement, and you may need a cosigner if you can’t qualify on your own. These loans are not eligible for the same perks and protections offered with federal loans.
Always shop around for private student loans to find an offer with the lowest rate and best terms you can qualify for.
