Scholarship Information

Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.

What kinds of scholarships are available?
How do I find scholarships?
When do I apply for scholarships?
How do I apply for scholarships?
How do I get my scholarship money?
How does a scholarship affect my other student aid?


What kinds of scholarships are available?

Some scholarships for college are merit-based. You earn them by meeting or exceeding certain standards set by the scholarship-giver. Merit scholarships might be awarded based on academic achievement or on a combination of academics and a special talent, trait, or interest. Other scholarships are based on financial need.

Many scholarships are geared toward particular groups of people; for instance, there are scholarships for women or high school seniors. And some are available because of where you or your parent work, or because you come from a certain background (for instance, there are scholarships for military families).

A scholarship might cover the entire cost of your tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, it's worth applying for, because it'll help reduce the cost of your education.
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How do I find scholarships?

You can learn about scholarships in several ways, including contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend and checking information in a public library or online. But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid. Check out our information on how to avoid scams.

Try these free sources of information about scholarships:

  • the financial aid office at a college or career school
  • a high school or TRIO counselor
  • the U.S. Department of Labor's FREE scholarship search tool
  • federal agencies
  • your state grant agency
  • your library's reference section
  • foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
  • organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
  • ethnicity-based organizations
  • your employer or your parents' employers

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When do I apply for scholarships?

That depends on each scholarship's deadline. Some deadlines are as early as a year before college starts, so if you're in high school now, you should be researching and applying for scholarships during the summer between your junior and senior years. But if you've missed that window, don't give up! Look at scholarship information to see which ones you can still apply for now.
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How do I apply for scholarships?

Each scholarship has its own requirements. The scholarship's website should give you an idea of who qualifies for the scholarship and how to apply. Make sure you read the application carefully, fill it out completely, and meet the application deadline.
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How do I get my scholarship money?

That depends on the scholarship. The money might go directly to your college, where it will be applied to any tuition, fees, or other amounts you owe, and then any leftover funds given to you. Or it might be sent directly to you in a check. The scholarship provider should tell you what to expect when it informs you that you've been awarded the scholarship. If not, make sure to ask.
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How does a scholarship affect my other student aid?

A scholarship will affect your other student aid because all your student aid added together can't be more than your cost of attendance at your college or career school. So, you'll need to let your school know if you've been awarded a scholarship so that the financial aid office can subtract that amount from your cost of attendance (and from certain other aid, such as loans, that you might have been offered). Then, any amount left can be covered by other financial aid for which you're eligible. Questions? Ask your financial aid office.
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Source: studentaid.ed.gov

Scholarships Available for Foundations and Philanthropies from around the Web.



Merck Foundation Awarded Best in Health Sector Philanthropy of the Year 2023 in ...

The CEO of a foundation funded by Merck has been named the "Best Health Sector Philanthropy of the Year 2023" at the Ghana Philanthropy Awards, Business Executive reports. Dr.Rasha Kelej, CEO of...more

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Pamputtae Continues to Support Fletcher'S Land

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Asu Faculty Receives Doe Grant for Research on Water-Splitting as Renewable Energy Source

Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment is getting a hefty boost from a major donor: the employee-owned engineering consulting firm Terracon. The...more

Mediacom Business Joins Effingham County Chamber

A small-town Illinois company is getting national attention for its unusual way of giving back to the community. Mediacom Business has partnered with the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce to...more

5 Area Graduates Receive Crcf Scholarship Awards
Foundation: Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation

It's not every day that a high school senior wins a $1,000 scholarship, but that's exactly what happened to Emma Retz. The senior from Cuba-Rushford Central School was awarded the Kaleigh Wilday...more

Cnfem Awards $440K in Scholarships
Foundation: Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan

"Because people who care about our communities and those who live here chose to give back, the Foundation was able to award nearly a half million dollars in scholarships this year, speaking volumes...more

Rebecca Ann Capitano Award Carries On Legacy
Foundation: Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

When Rebecca Ann Capitano died in a car accident in 2023 at the age of 24, she left behind a legacy that her family and friends hope will live on. The Buffalo News reports the 24-year-old's...more

Givesmart and The Nonprofit Makeover Empower Bipoc Leaders

"We are truly excited about reinvigorating GiveSmart Gives Back," Kristen Faith, CEO of The Nonprofit Makeover, says in a press release. The minority-owned consulting firm and fundraising and...more

Meet 20 future teachers from Eastern NC receiving NC State scholarships to teach in the region

Eastern North Carolina's Darden College of Education has selected 20 students to receive a total of $7.25 million in scholarships over the next five years. The recipients of the college's African...more



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Find Top Fifty Foundation Givers

Source: Foundation Stats (Foundation Center) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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