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How to Get a Scholarship
Finding free money like scholarships to pay for college can help you limit the amount of debt you take on.
Anna Helhoski is a senior writer covering economic news and trends in consumer finance at NerdWallet. She is also an authority on student loans. She joined NerdWallet in 2014. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. She previously covered local news in the New York metro area for the Daily Voice and New York state politics for The Legislative Gazette. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Purchase College, State University of New York.
Des Toups Lead Assigning Editor | Student loans, repaying college debt, paying for college
Des Toups was a lead assigning editor who supported the student loans and auto loans teams. He had decades of experience in personal finance journalism, exploring everything from car insurance to bankruptcy to couponing to side hustles.
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There’s a bounty of free money for college that’s up for grabs if you know how to get it.
Scholarships don't have to be paid back, which means they’re completely free. By winning scholarships, you may be able to reduce how much loan debt you’ll carry to pay for college.
Each scholarship will have requirements to apply. You’ll often need letters of recommendation, a resume of scholarly or volunteer accomplishments and an essay tailored to the scholarship.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Since there are so many scholarships available, it can be a challenge to pick which ones to apply for. Knowing where to look and what to prioritize can help you find the right one for you. Here are five tried-and-true tactics to finding a scholarship.
1. Apply first for need-based scholarships
Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need, as determined by your school’s cost of attendance and your expected family contribution. There tend to be more need-based grants than scholarships, but it’s still worth applying for the awards.
To be eligible for most federal, state or institutional scholarships and grants, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA.
2. Find niche scholarships you qualify for
Find scholarships that may fit you by considering your participation in volunteer work, club memberships, athletics, jobs, and classes, along with any awards you’ve already received. You may want to also consider other ways to distinguish yourself including:
• Race or ethnicity
• LGBT identity
• Religion
• Location or community
• Hobbies and interests
• Civic involvement
• An immediate family member’s military status
• Immigration status
Also, factor in special circumstances, such as being a parent, an older or returning student, a GED recipient or a home-schooled student.
You may look for scholarships for students entering certain majors. If you get such a scholarship, you’ll usually need to continue in that course of study to keep the funds.
3. Cast a wide net
Applying for several scholarships increases your chances of getting more free money for college. Here are some ways to expand your reach:
• Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s Scholarships Search Tool
• Talk to your school’s financial aid office
• Check with your high school’s guidance office
• Look for industry organizations related to your field of study
• Search locally at community organizations, local businesses, religious organizations or civic groups
• Inquire about scholarships sponsored by a family member’s employer or your own employer
• Search scholarship websites such as Cappex.com, Scholly, The College Board, or “The Ultimate Scholarship Book”
4. Be wary of scholarships scams
Be careful where you apply for scholarships and the information you provide. There are plenty of genuine scholarship sources, but there are also scams. The Federal Trade Commission has more details on avoiding scholarship scams. Some ways to avoid getting scammed include:
• Not giving into obvious pressure tactics that push for money or personal information quickly
• Never giving out bank account or credit card numbers to companies that you cannot verify are legitimate with your college or another reputable source
• Never paying a fee, especially to a scholarship organization that guarantees you’ll win a scholarship by handing over money. There are many free scholarship search services available.
5. Pay attention to scholarship deadlines
Once you have a list of scholarships you want to apply for, keep track of deadlines. Some scholarships may have deadlines more than a year in advance. With this in mind, make your list of potential scholarships as early as the summer before your senior year of high school. If you’re in college, look ahead to scholarships that will be disbursed in the next school year.
If you have too many scholarships on your list, narrow it down to those with smaller niche applicant pools, or ones you can renew each year.
How you’ll receive scholarship funds
The way your scholarship is disbursed will vary. The money may be paid directly to your school and applied like other financial aid — first tuition and fees are covered, then room and board. If there are leftover funds, your school will typically return the money to you to use for other costs, like living expenses.
Alternately, you may receive a check. How you can use the money will usually depend on the strings attached to the scholarship. For example, you may only be able to use the money for tuition. Contact the source of your scholarship for the details.
How scholarships impact other financial aid
Scholarships can be used to supplement other financial aid, such as grants and work-study, before taking on student loans. But you can receive only as much aid as your school’s cost of attendance. You must let your school’s financial aid office know the total scholarship amount you're awarded so it is factored into your aid package.
If there’s a gap to fill after scholarships or other free financial aid, you may need to get a loan. Start with federal direct loans before getting a private loan, which offers fewer repayment options or loan forgiveness. If you need a private loan, compare all offerings and rates.
