Scholarships for US students: where to find them and avoid scams
Scholarships for US students: where to find real scholarships from schools, states, employers and communities, how to apply well and how to spot scams.
Scholarships are money for college that you generally do not repay. They come from many places, and the best ones are often local and less competitive than the big national contests. This guide explains where to look, using guidance from Federal Student Aid, and how to avoid scams.
What scholarships are
Scholarships are gift aid awarded by schools, organizations and individuals, based on criteria such as academic achievement, talent, community service, field of study, background or financial need. Some cover a single year; others renew if you meet conditions.
Where to find scholarships
Federal Student Aid recommends several free places to look:
- Your school's financial aid office. Colleges award institutional scholarships, many automatically, others by application.
- Your high school counselor. Many local scholarships are advertised through high schools.
- Federal agencies. Some agencies offer scholarships in specific fields.
- Your state grant agency. Many states run scholarship programs as well as grants. See state grants like Cal Grant and TAP.
- Your library's reference section and free online scholarship search tools.
- Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses and civic groups.
- Organizations related to your field of interest, such as professional associations.
- Ethnicity-based organizations.
- Your employer or your parents' employers, and unions.
Local beats national
National scholarships attract enormous numbers of applicants. Local awards from community foundations, service clubs and local businesses often have far fewer applicants. Apply to both, but do not overlook small local awards. Several small scholarships can add up.
How to apply well
- Start early. Some deadlines fall a year before college starts.
- Make a tracker. List each scholarship, deadline, requirements and status.
- Read eligibility carefully. Apply only where you clearly qualify.
- Answer the prompt. Tailor every essay to the specific question and the funder's mission.
- Be specific. Show what you did, why it mattered and what you learned.
- Request recommendations early, with your resume and the criteria.
- Proofread and ask someone else to read it too.
- Submit before the deadline, keeping copies of everything.
Avoiding scholarship scams
The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Student Aid warn about scholarship and financial aid scams. Red flags include:
- "Guaranteed or your money back." No one can guarantee a scholarship.
- Application or processing fees to get money.
- Requests for your bank account or credit card number to "hold" a scholarship.
- "You've been selected" for a scholarship you never applied for.
- Paid FAFSA help. The FAFSA is free at StudentAid.gov.
Report suspected scams to the FTC.
How scholarships affect other aid
Your school must consider outside scholarships when determining your eligibility for need-based aid. In some cases, an outside scholarship can reduce other aid in your package. Report scholarships to your financial aid office and ask how they will be applied. Some schools reduce loans or work-study first.
Scholarships and taxes
Scholarships used for tuition and required fees are often tax-free, but amounts used for room and board may be taxable. Check IRS guidance or a tax professional for your situation.
After you win
- Send a thank-you note to the donor.
- Meet renewal conditions, such as GPA or enrollment requirements.
- Report the award to your school.
- Keep applying. Many scholarships are open to current college students.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the FAFSA to get scholarships? Many need-based scholarships and school awards require it. File it regardless; it is free. See FAFSA step by step.
Are there scholarships for adult learners? Yes. See grants for adult learners.
How many scholarships should I apply for? As many as you clearly qualify for and can complete well.
Can scholarships cover living costs? Some can. The terms of each scholarship decide what it can pay for.
Before you apply: a quick checklist
- Use the official application site, never a paid third-party service. Applying for government student aid is free.
- Check the current year's deadlines on the official page and on your school's financial aid site.
- Gather your ID, tax information and, if required, a parent's or spouse's information before you start.
- Apply every year you need aid. Most programs require a new application for each school year.
- Read your award notice to see which parts are grants and which are loans.
- Keep your school's financial aid office in the loop. They can explain your package and point to bursaries or scholarships you may have missed.
- Watch for scams: no legitimate program charges a fee to get a grant or scholarship.
Questions to ask your financial aid office
Your school's financial aid staff see hundreds of situations like yours every year. Before you accept an offer or make a big decision, ask them:
- Which parts of my package are grants or scholarships, and which are loans or work-study?
- Are there school bursaries, scholarships or emergency funds I have not applied for yet?
- What happens to my aid if I drop a course or change my program?
- What do I need to do to keep this funding next year?
- Can my aid be reviewed if my family's income has changed?
Write down the answers and the name of the person you spoke with, so you can refer back to them later.
Keep exploring on GrantSift
Find student funding that fits you
Official aid pages are the source of truth, but scholarships, bursaries and grants are scattered across governments, schools and foundations. GrantSift brings student funding from official sources in the US and Canada into one place, with a short student check that matches programs to your province or state, level of study and field. Every listing links to the official page, and student aid that is a loan is labelled as a loan. Search scholarships and student grants or see plans and pricing.