Using TikTok for scholarships? Here's how to be smart about it

Key takeaways

If you’ve ever come across a scholarship on TikTok or online and thought, “Is this actually real?”—you’re not alone.

*Source: "TikTok made me apply: Inside Gen Z's scholarship search habits" 

Students come across a lot of scholarship opportunities, but often have to decide quickly what’s worth their time. When everything looks promising, it’s not always clear what to trust.

That's especially true on TikTok, which has become part of how many students search. Sallie's research report "TikTok made me apply: Inside Gen Z's scholarship search habits" shows 1 in 5 Gen Z students search for scholarships on TikTok at least once a week. It’s even become one of the top five ways students discover scholarships.

That tells me something important: you’re not just scrolling—you’re actively trying to find ways to pay for college.

The good news is, that effort can absolutely pay off. But it works best when you know how to tell the difference between what’s helpful and what’s actually reliable.

How students decide what to trust

When students search for scholarships, they often look for quick signs that an opportunity is trustworthy and worth their time.

That can include:

• Creators sharing their own scholarship wins
• Videos with lots of likes, comments, or saves
• Accounts that regularly post scholarship opportunities
• Advice that feels specific, practical, and easy to act on

These signals can help students narrow down where to focus—but they still shouldn’t replace checking the official scholarship details before applying.

Sure, personal stories can be motivating, and lots of likes can make something feel more reliable. But here’s the challenge: those signals don’t always tell you if a scholarship is accurate, current, or even real.

Where you should be careful

There’s often a gap between seeing a scholarship and knowing for sure it’s legit.

• 34% of students say they’ve come across misleading scholarship content
• Only 27% say they always verify scholarship information before applying

That means many students are making decisions without fully checking what they’re seeing first.

Misleading content can look like:

• Deadlines that have already passed
• Missing or unclear requirements
• Scholarships that don’t have a real application process
• Advice that leaves out important details

Even when the opportunity is real, small missing details can cost you time—or cause you to miss your chance entirely.

How to check if a scholarship is actually legit

Before you apply, you'll want to take a few minutes to make sure the scholarship is real, current, and worth your time.

Here’s how you can do that:

1. Go to the official website. Don’t rely on the video alone. Look for the original source of the scholarship.
2. Double-check the details. Make sure the deadline, eligibility, and requirements match what you saw.
3. Look for clear contact information. Legitimate scholarships usually include a way to reach the organization. 

If you’re not sure what to watch out for, our resource on how to avoid scholarship scams can help you spot red flags quickly. It also helps to understand the types of scholarships out there, so you know what’s normal—and what’s not.

Remember, using trusted tools like Scholly^® Scholarships can make your search easier with scholarships that are all 100% verified.

How to move from finding scholarships to applying

Finding a scholarship is a great first step. But applying is what actually turns that opportunity into money for college.

Once you’ve verified a scholarship:

• Save it and track the deadline
• Review what’s required
• Set aside time to complete the application
• Apply as soon as you’re ready

If an essay is required, reviewing scholarship essay tips can help you understand what reviewers are looking for and how to tell your story clearly.

Keep looking beyond TikTok

Be open to opportunities you might not have considered before, like hidden gem scholarships, which may have fewer applicants and less competition, To explore verified scholarships by background, major, award amount, and more, check out Scholly^® Scholarships.

For an easy start, apply to something simple like Sallie's $2,000 No Essay Scholarship to build momentum. And with Scholly^® Easy Apply Scholarships, you can apply to several scholarships at once with one quick application.

The bottom line

If you’ve been using TikTok and other resources to find scholarships, you’re already taking an important step. You’re putting yourself in a position to discover more opportunities. Now it’s about making sure those opportunities are real, trustworthy and worth your time. Getting into the habit of verifying first and then applying can make a big difference.

Over time, those small, consistent steps can add up. Not just in applications completed, but in real scholarship dollars you can use for college.