Explore scholarship opportunities.
Understand common scholarship categories and learn how to research funding options that may fit your education plans.
Start with the right scholarship search
Scholarships are financial awards that may help eligible students pay for education expenses. Providers can include colleges, private foundations, nonprofit organizations, employers and community groups. Award amounts, eligibility rules and selection processes differ.
Merit-based awards
May consider academic performance, leadership, creative work, service or other achievements.
Need-based awards
May consider a student's financial circumstances and documented need.
Field-of-study awards
May support students pursuing a particular subject, profession or area of research.
Community awards
May be offered based on location, school, employer, community involvement or other criteria.
How to evaluate an opportunity
- Identify the organization offering and administering the award.
- Review eligibility requirements, eligible institutions and enrollment conditions.
- Confirm the deadline and application method on the official website.
- Understand what materials are required, such as transcripts, essays or references.
- Check whether the award is renewable and how funds are paid.
Watch for scholarship scams
Be cautious of guaranteed-award claims, pressure to act immediately, requests for sensitive information without a clear reason, and unexpected fees to claim an award. Research the provider independently and contact the institution using details from its official website.
Build an application checklist
Keep a calendar of deadlines, prepare a current résumé, request recommendations early and tailor each application to the award criteria. Never submit inaccurate information or reuse an essay without checking that it answers the specific prompt.