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Best Scholarships for College Students (And How to Find Them)
Billions in scholarship money go unclaimed every year. Here's where to find scholarships and how to increase your chances of winning.
Top Scholarship Search Sites
| Site | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Chegg Scholarships | Free | 1.5M+ scholarships, matching |
| Scholarships.com | Free | Large database, college search |
| Fastweb | Free | Personalized matching |
| Bold.org | Free | No-essay scholarships available |
| Niche | Free | Scholarship + college reviews |
Types of Scholarships
- Merit-based: Grades, test scores, talents (no financial need required)
- Need-based: Based on FAFSA and financial situation
- Niche scholarships: Based on hobbies, background, intended major
- No-essay scholarships: Easy to apply, lower award amounts
- Local scholarships: Community organizations, local businesses
Big Scholarships to Apply For
- Gates Scholarship: Full ride for Pell-eligible minorities
- Coca-Cola Scholars: $20,000 for community leaders
- Elks National Foundation: $500-$50,000 scholarships
- QuestBridge: Full ride to top schools for low-income students
- Jack Kent Cooke: $55,000/year for community college transfers
The local scholarship secret: Local scholarships (from your Rotary Club, community foundation, or local business) have far fewer applicants than national ones. You're competing against 50 people instead of 50,000. Check with your school counselor and local organizations first.
⚠️ Scholarship Tips:
- Don't pay for scholarship searches " — all legitimate scholarships are free to apply for
- Don't skip the small scholarships " — $500 scholarships add up quickly
- Don't wait until senior year " — start applying in sophomore year
- Don't reuse the same essay " — customize each application
The bottom line: Start searching on Chegg, Fastweb, and Scholarships.com. Apply to local scholarships first (fewer competitors). Apply to at least 20 scholarships per year. Small scholarships add up " — ten $1,000 awards = $10,000 in free money. Never pay for a scholarship search.