Free College Scholarship Searches

Most students and parents searching for scholarships on the Internet use one scholarship search engine.Then they stop looking. Did you know that many of the most successful scholarship winners use more than one computerized scholarship search engine when they are trying to find scholarship money? Why? Because all search engines don’t have the same scholarship information. Increase your chances of finding more scholarships by using a combination of several different scholarship search engines.

To learn more about how to search for scholarships on the Internet, check out 10 Steps for Using the Internet in Your Scholarship Search. If you have a copy of Winning Scholarships for College, you can also read chapter 3, “The Internet Scholarship Search.”

The following is a short list of free college scholarship searches you may want to check out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Scholarship Search Engines

Are scholarship search engines free to use?

Answer:
Most reputable scholarship search engines are completely free. Many allow students to create profiles, search for scholarships, and receive scholarship matches at no cost. Be cautious of any service that guarantees scholarship money or requires large upfront fees simply to access scholarship listings.

How accurate are the scholarship matches?

Answer:
Scholarship search engines can save time by matching students with opportunities based on factors such as grade level, intended major, interests, location, ethnicity, leadership activities, and career goals. However, no search engine is perfect. Students should review eligibility requirements carefully and continue searching through colleges, employers, community organizations, professional associations, and local scholarship programs in addition to using online databases.

Why am I getting scholarships that don’t seem to fit me?

Answer:
The quality of your matches depends on the information in your profile. If your profile is incomplete or outdated, you may receive less relevant results. Students should update their profiles regularly with new activities, awards, volunteer work, leadership positions, intended majors, and career interests to improve match quality. For more information, see the chapter, “Writing Your Scholarship Résumé: How to Stand Out and Why Grades Don’t Mean Everything” in Winning Scholarships for College.

Can I rely only on scholarship search engines to find college money?

Answer:
No. Scholarship search engines are valuable tools, but they should be only one part of a scholarship strategy. You should definitely review our list of best scholarship books and resources. Also many of the best opportunities are found through:

High school counseling offices
Local community foundations
Employers and unions
Civic organizations
Religious organizations
College financial aid offices
Professional associations
State and regional scholarship programs

Some local scholarships receive far fewer applications than national scholarships, which can significantly improve a student’s chances of winning. Chapters in Winning Scholarships for College such as “The Local Search: Finding Scholarships in Your Backyard” can help.

Many students create a profile on a scholarship search engine and never return. The most successful scholarship applicants check for new opportunities regularly, update their profiles, and apply consistently throughout high school and college. Scholarship searching is often more like a marathon than a sprint.