How to get scholarship money for college

Scholarships are financial aid for college that you can apply for through organizations, websites, scholarship tools, and more. Scholarships can be need-based, merit-based, or based on things like your hobbies, field of study, ethnicity, religion, and more. All scholarships are free scholarships, which means free money to help you pay for college.

You don’t. Scholarships (and grants) are “free money” to help you pay for college, and you never have to pay them back.

Our $2,000 scholarship is a fast and easy way for you to enter to win free money for college. There’s no essay required, and all you have to do is provide some basic information about yourself. Enter now!*

Here are some examples of scholarship categories that may be right for you.

• Scholarships based on field of study. For incoming college students who have an idea of what they want to study in school and/or what field they’d like to enter after school, scholarships geared toward majors and fields of study can be a good option. 
• Scholarships for college students. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or are already in college, there are scholarships specifically for undergraduate students. As you continue your studies and try new extracurricular activities in college, you might be eligible for more scholarships you weren’t originally qualified for. Don't forget to revisit college scholarship opportunities. 
• Scholarships for graduate studies. Finding graduate school scholarships is just as important as finding free money for undergraduate studies. There are many scholarships specifically for graduate students that you can apply to.
• Scholarships based on hobbies. There are all kinds of unique scholarships out there. You can search for scholarships based on your skills, activities, and interests.

Search which types of college scholarships  you might want to apply for.

There are many sources to help you search for free college scholarships based on the type of scholarship you’re looking for.

• The financial aid office at a college or career school
• Organizations (such as professional associations) related to your field of interest
• Federal agencies
• Free online tools, like Scholly Scholarships

There are even many quick and easy scholarships you can apply for to earn some cash for college.

If you've explored all available scholarship opportunities and still need money for college, consider private student loans to meet your financial needs.

Start early! Some scholarships have deadlines as early as a year before the funds would be paid. So if you're looking to cover college costs for your freshman year, or even score a free ride, you may need to apply for scholarships the summer before your senior year of high school.