Scholarships (or "free money") are an attractive way to pay for college because you don't need to pay them back. Scholarship awards range from a few dollars to covering the full tuition bill.
Scholarships are offered by many organizations, including federal and state governments and private sources, such as:
- Employers
- Individuals
- Companies
- High schools and colleges
- Religious groups
- Professional associations
Scholarship eligibility
You can be considered for a scholarship for any of the following reasons (and more):
- Academic performance
- Athletic achievement
- Financial need
- Religious affiliation
- Minority status
- Heritage
- Community affiliations
- A unique set of criteria that's important to the organization providing funds
Searching for and getting scholarships
Your search for scholarships will succeed if you start early, stay focused, and search diligently. Remember to apply for scholarships every year you plan to attend college.
