5 Best Places To Search for College Scholarships in 2025

Scholarships can play a major role in making college more affordable. In fact, nearly 64% of students receive scholarships or grants, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Unlike student loans, scholarships don't have to be repaid.

There are thousands of scholarships out there for students of all backgrounds, interests, and goals. The key is knowing where to look.

In this guide, we'll explore the best places to search for scholarships, the most common types of awards, and practical tips to improve your scholarship search.

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Why scholarships matter

Scholarships are free money that can help you reduce the cost of college. Many people assume they're only for star athletes or top academic performers who get full rides. But that's not the case. Scholarships are awarded for all kinds of reasons — academic merit, financial need, background, talents, or field of study — and they're not always large. Even small awards can help cover everyday costs like books or housing.

Dr. Darla Bishop, author of “How To Afford College,” encourages students to apply for those smaller opportunities.

“Small scholarships add up,” she says. “Getting a handful of $500 or $1,000 scholarships can make a serious dent in your overall cost of attendance.”

Where to search for scholarships

If you're looking for scholarships, these tools and resources can help you find awards you're eligible for and apply more efficiently.

1. Online scholarship search engines

Scholarship search engines gather thousands of legitimate opportunities in one place, making it easier to get started. Many platforms let you create a profile and receive personalized scholarship matches based on your background, interests, and academic goals.

Some of the most popular and trusted search tools include:

• Fastweb
• Scholarships.com
• College Board's BigFuture
• Bold.org
• Going Merry
• ScholarshipOwl

2. Your high school or college

Your school is one of the best places to find scholarships, especially local or program-specific awards. If you're still in high school, talk to your guidance counselor about any scholarships available in your area or through your school. Once you're in college, check in regularly with your academic adviser.

“Once you've declared a major, ask the program coordinator every semester if they know about any scholarship programs you might be eligible for,” Bishop advises.

3. State and federal sources

Government programs can be a valuable source of scholarships and grants, especially if you have financial need.

• State: Check with your state's higher education agency to find scholarships and grants you may qualify for. Many states offer programs for residents who attend in-state schools.
• Federal: The federal Pell Grant is one of the largest sources of need-based aid. For the 2025-26 school year, the maximum award amount is $7,395. You'll need to complete the FAFSA and meet income and eligibility requirements to qualify.

4. Employers and professional organizations

Many companies and industry groups offer scholarships to eligible students. These scholarships are often less competitive than national programs and can be a great way to find funding based on your connections or career goals.

For example:

• The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers $20,000 scholarships to high-achieving high school seniors across the country.
• The Dell Scholars program supports students with financial need with a $20,000 scholarship plus a laptop, textbook credits, and an emergency fund.
• The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) offers multiple scholarships for engineering students at various levels of study.

If you or a parent works for a large company, check with HR about any education benefits or scholarship programs. And if you're pursuing a specific career path, look into scholarships offered by national organizations in that field.

5. Community and religious groups

Local organizations, religious institutions, and community foundations often offer smaller scholarships with fewer applicants, making them easier to win. For example, local Rotary Clubs frequently award scholarships to students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to community service. Many Jewish Community Foundations (JCFs) also provide scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, or involvement in the Jewish community, though availability and criteria vary by region.

Ask your place of worship, community center, or local nonprofits about scholarships you may be eligible for.

Types of scholarships

No matter your background, there's likely a scholarship you qualify for. Here are some of the most common types:

Merit-based

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on achievement — whether academic, athletic, artistic, or leadership-related. These are the types of awards most people think of when they picture college scholarships. But they're not just full rides for top students or athletes. Many merit-based scholarships are smaller awards given to students who've stood out in a specific area or shown resilience in the face of challenges.

Need-based

Many scholarships and grants are awarded based on financial need. These are typically designed for students from low-income families and take into account your household income, family size, and other financial factors.

To qualify for most need-based aid, you'll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information you provide helps schools, state agencies, and scholarship organizations determine your eligibility.

Identity-based

Some scholarships are awarded based on your background or personal identity. These might be offered to students based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, LGBTQ+ status, or other characteristics. Many are created to support underrepresented or marginalized groups and help make college more accessible.

“There are scholarships for just about every interest and identity,” says Bishop. “Do some digging, and you might find a few hundred dollars for being from a particular town, having a rare talent, or simply existing.”

Field-specific

If you plan to study a specific subject or enter a particular career, you may qualify for scholarships tied to that field. These awards are often sponsored by professional associations, companies, or academic departments that want to support students entering the industry.

You can find scholarships for a wide range of fields, including STEM, business, nursing, education, graphic design, arboriculture, filmmaking, and culinary arts.

Unique scholarships

Not all scholarships are based on academics or financial need. Some reward creativity, hobbies, or unusual traits. If you have a niche skill or stand-out characteristic, it's worth searching for scholarships that match.

For example, the Duck Brand Stuck at Prom scholarship gives students money for designing prom outfits out of duct tape. Other unique scholarships exist for duck callers, exceptionally tall students, and even Minecraft players.

Scholarship search tips

The following search strategies can help improve your chances of winning a scholarship:

• Start early: Don't wait for senior year to start thinking about scholarship applications. Some deadlines are as early as junior year of high school.
• Apply for many smaller scholarships: It's easy to focus only on big scholarships, but those $500 to $2,000 awards can add up quickly, and they often have less competition.
• Avoid scams: Reputable scholarships are always free. If a scholarship asks you to pay to apply, it's usually a scam.
• Look beyond your GPA: Your grades are important, but they're not everything. Many awards focus on community service, passion projects, or career goals.
• Stay organized and persistent: You'll have more success if you treat applying to scholarships like a part-time job.

How to apply for scholarships

Each scholarship comes with its own requirements, but these tips can help you improve your chances of getting awarded:

• Follow the exact scholarship instructions: Missing a document or leaving out a required detail can cost you the scholarship. “I know a student who missed out on $20,000 because they forgot to send in a form and headshot,” says Bishop.
• Tailor your application: Many scholarships are tied to a specific theme or mission. The strongest applications clearly show how your goals or background align with what the organization values.
• Stay organized: It's easy to lose track of deadlines, eligibility rules, and other requirements if you're applying to several scholarships, so set up an easy organization system. A spreadsheet is a good way to track scholarships, since it allows you to sort awards and include links and other important information.
• Keep a folder of scholarship essays: “You can likely reuse parts of your essays for multiple applications,” recommends Bishop, although you'll still need to personalize each one.
• Ask for recommendation letters: Strong recommendation letters from teachers, employers, or community leaders can help strengthen your scholarship application.