9 Best Websites for Scholarships

Quick Highlights:

• Respected websites like Scholarships.com, CollegeNet.com, and FastWeb offer extensive databases of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students.
• These websites provide tools to filter scholarships by criteria such as field of study, amount, and deadlines.
• Features include user forums, voting systems for popular scholarships, and updated listings to help find relevant opportunities.
• Some platforms also offer additional resources like essay tips, financial planning tools, and personalized scholarship notifications.

Seeking a scholarship for any future educational goals and plans you have in mind for yourself can be done with any computer or smartphone with the ability to access the Internet. Browsing online for various scholarships is a way for you to compare the most appealing scholarships to you based on any college, university or career you are interested in pursuing yourself. We compiled this list of the best websites for scholarships to help you find the best funding opportunities for your education. Test.

The Best Scholarship Websites

Let’s dive into the top 9 websites for scholarships! Our ranking provides a comprehensive list of special features and offerings of each site. We also conduct a deepdive into the cons and downsides of each site, so that you can pick the website that best fits your needs.

1. Scholarships.com

Scholarships.com was originally founded in 1999, and now boats more than 2.7 million scholarships with a total value of more than $19 billion in value since its launch within its record database. Using Scholarships.com is simple and free. It only requires a few minutes to get started. Listings are updated regularly and consistently every few months to help with informing students of the latest scholarships that are available to them that may be of interest.

Once you register to become a member of the Scholarships.com website, you can then choose which types of scholarships you are most interested in and that are most relevant to you. The site also gives registered users of Scholarships.com the ability to opt-out of any type of scholarships. This helps students easily weed out those that are not interesting or useful to their educational path. Scholarship opportunities are available to a variety of students including undergraduate and graduate students.

Special Features:

• Extensive Database: Scholarships.com provides one of the largest and most comprehensive databases of scholarships and grants, covering a wide range of fields, student demographics, and financial needs.
• Personalized Scholarship Matches: After completing a detailed profile, students receive a customized list of scholarships that match their qualifications and interests.
• College Search: In addition to scholarships, the site offers tools to search for colleges and compare information on tuition, graduation rates, and more.
• Financial Aid Resources: The site includes articles, guides, and tools to help students understand how to finance their education.
• Mobile Accessibility: Scholarships.com offers a mobile-friendly version of the platform, making it easy for students to search for scholarships on the go.

Cons:

1. Overwhelming Number of Emails: Users frequently report being inundated with emails regarding scholarship opportunities and promotional content, which can quickly become overwhelming.
2. Lengthy Profile Setup: The initial setup process is detailed, which can be time-consuming for students who want to get quick scholarship results.
3. Ad-Heavy Platform: The website includes many ads and sponsored content, which can distract users from their scholarship search and create a cluttered experience.
4. No Application Management: Scholarships.com does not offer a system for tracking or submitting scholarship applications directly through the platform, which means users have to manage their applications manually.
5. Limited Niche Scholarships: Despite its vast database, some students have found that highly specialized or regional scholarships are not always well-represented on the platform.

2. CollegeNet.com

CollegeNet.com is a service that works to develop applications and web-based events. It also provides an entire search for students who are interested in seeking out updates and newly-promoted scholarships nationwide. Both need based and merit scholarships are featured on the site. The database is updated monthly at CollegeNet.com. They give students new scholarships to review and vote on once becoming a member of the site themselves.

The site has a licensing agreement to aggregate new information and content related to scholarships currently being offered in specific states, nationwide and even internationally through the Wintergreen Orchard House company.

The site also allows users who are involved in the community to vote on scholarships they want to have featured or promoted to go live. Scholarships that receive the most votes are brought to fruition for the users of CollegeNet.com. In addition to providing an array of various scholarships to browse through and choose from, CollegeNet.com also has a live forum for students from all across the country to join in on and participate in daily. Each week, the community online invites members to join in on various discussions, request comments and share opinions. The student who earns the most vote in the week is awarded anywhere from $3000 to $5000 in scholarship money. This makes CollegeNet.com a premium community for students seeking scholarship opportunities from home. Test.

Special Features:

• Scholarship Contests: CollegeNet stands out by hosting scholarship contests where students can earn awards by participating in discussions and voting on various topics. This community-driven approach offers an alternative to traditional scholarship applications.
• Social Engagement Focus: The platform emphasizes social engagement, encouraging students to discuss important issues and build their profiles by participating in conversations, which can lead to scholarships.
• College Planning Tools: In addition to scholarships, CollegeNet offers tools to help students search for colleges and manage the application process.
• User-Curated Scholarships: Instead of providing a typical scholarship search engine, students can actively engage in discussions and voting competitions to earn scholarships, making the process more interactive.
• Customizable College Search: CollegeNet offers a robust college search tool that allows students to filter institutions based on specific criteria like size, location, and cost.

Cons:

1. Time-Intensive Scholarship Process: The scholarship competition model requires significant time and effort, as students need to participate in discussions, build their profiles, and garner votes to increase their chances of winning. This process is more demanding than a traditional scholarship application.
2. Limited Traditional Scholarships: CollegeNet doesn’t offer the traditional scholarship search database found on many other platforms, which can limit its appeal to students seeking straightforward financial aid options.
3. Requires Social Interaction: The scholarship process is heavily based on social interaction and engagement with other users, which may not appeal to students who prefer a more private or direct approach.
4. Competitive Voting System: Winning scholarships often depends on receiving enough votes from other users, making the process highly competitive and somewhat subjective.
5. Not Ideal for All Students: The platform’s unique model may not be suitable for students who are not comfortable engaging in online discussions or who don’t have the time to commit to the social aspects of the scholarship competitions.

3. FastWeb

FastWeb was originally founded and launched more than 15 years ago. They currently boast more than 1.5 million scholarships and $3.4 billion in their database altogether over the years of providing scholarships to students nationwide. The site itself claims to have helped and assisted more than 50 students altogether with finding scholarships and applying for them.

Another reason to use FastWeb is that it is entirely free to use and to register to become a member. Students can search for a variety of different types of scholarships based on their own interests. FastWeb also features the ability to browse through scholarships based on:

• amount
• deadline
• various types available
• qualifications

FastWeb also states they will never sell or distribute your personal and private information to any company or another third-party without your permission and notification.

FastWeb is one of the best sites for scholarships. Using FastWeb is possible daily, as their databases are updated at least every 24 hours. This makes FastWeb one of the most updated scholarship search engines available to use to date. It also sets them apart from all competitors who are currently on the market today. You’ll need to register for an account with FastWeb.com with your own email address. Then you’ll receive notifications of new scholarships that have been discovered by FastWeb.com daily. You’ll receive scholarship opportunities that meet your educational goals and criteria.

Special Features:

• Extensive Scholarship Database: FastWeb boasts one of the largest databases of scholarships, with millions of opportunities listed, covering a wide range of academic fields and student demographics.
• Personalized Scholarship Matches: After filling out a detailed profile, students receive a tailored list of scholarships that match their background, achievements, and interests.
• Additional Financial Aid Tools: Beyond scholarships, FastWeb provides resources for student loans, financial aid information, and internship opportunities to help students fund their education.
• College Search Tool: FastWeb also includes a college search feature, allowing users to research schools, compare costs, and explore admissions data.
• Career and Internship Resources: The platform offers career advice, internship listings, and job search tools for students looking to build their resumes while in school.
• Regular Updates: Scholarships are constantly updated to ensure that users have access to current opportunities, with new listings being added frequently.

Cons:

1. Frequent Email Notifications: Users often report receiving a high volume of emails from FastWeb, including scholarship updates, reminders, and promotional messages, which can be overwhelming and lead to inbox clutter.
2. Ads and Sponsored Content: The site includes ads and sponsored scholarship listings, which can create distractions and reduce the overall user experience.
3. Limited Control Over Search Filters: While FastWeb’s scholarship matching system is personalized, users have limited ability to refine their search manually, making it difficult to target specific scholarships or categories.
4. Detailed Profile Setup: Setting up a profile can be time-consuming as it requires users to input a lot of personal information, including academic records, extracurriculars, and career goals. This is necessary to get accurate scholarship matches but can be a barrier for those seeking quick results.
5. Some Scholarships May Appear Irrelevant: Although FastWeb provides personalized matches, users occasionally receive scholarships that don’t seem fully relevant to their profiles, which can be frustrating when navigating through many opportunities.

4. The College Board

The official College Board was founded originally in 1900. It is one of the oldest educational-based organizations still in existence and thriving today. Today, The College Board has transformed into a massive database of more than $4 billion worth of free money. Thousands of various college scholarships are available or have been awarded to students around the world. Each year, more than seven million students use the services of the College Board.

Students can connect with new college scholarship opportunities through services like the Scholarship Directory and the Scholarship Search. Students can also learn the basics of financial aid including the different types of grants and loans available. Regular updates to the site ensure students always have access to the most current scholarship information available.

Students can search for a variety of scholarship opportunities based on their:

• interests
• situations
• affiliations
• citizenship
• profession

Students can also view open scholarships available to juniors and seniors.

Special Features:

• Scholarship Search Tool: The College Board’s scholarship search engine, formerly known as Scholarship Search, matches students with scholarships, grants, and internships from over 2,200 programs, offering a wide variety of financial aid opportunities.
• Comprehensive Financial Aid Resources: In addition to scholarships, the College Board provides a wealth of information on student loans, grants, and other financial aid options, making it a go-to resource for students navigating the funding process.
• SAT and AP Resources: As the organization behind the SAT and AP programs, the College Board offers helpful resources for students preparing for these exams, as well as information on how to use scores for scholarship applications.
• Scholarship Updates and Alerts: Students can sign up to receive notifications about newly available scholarships or updates to existing opportunities.
• User-Friendly Interface: The site is simple and easy to navigate, with scholarships categorized by various filters like student background, academic performance, and field of study.

Cons:

1. Scholarship Database Size: While the College Board’s scholarship search is extensive, it does not match the sheer volume of listings offered by platforms like FastWeb or Scholarships.com, which might limit the number of opportunities available to some students.
2. Profile Setup Required: Students must fill out a detailed profile to access the scholarship database, which can take time and may feel cumbersome to students who want immediate results.
3. Lacks Direct Application Functionality: The College Board provides links to scholarship opportunities but does not offer a direct application process or a way to track scholarship applications, requiring students to apply separately for each.
4. Focus on Larger Scholarships: While the platform offers many scholarship opportunities, it tends to feature larger national scholarships, potentially leaving out more niche or localized awards that may be available on other platforms.
5. Not Solely Focused on Scholarships: The College Board’s primary focus is on standardized testing and college preparation, so the scholarship search tool is more of an add-on than the core function of the site, potentially limiting the depth of the scholarship features.

5. SallieMae

SallieMae is no longer only known for providing various loans for houses and students, but it has also become a resource directory for seeking out new scholarships. Their Scholarship Search helps students find scholarships that are appealing and relevant to their major or future career plans. SallieMae has shared more than $18 billion worth in scholarships with millions of students since it began providing resources and opportunities to online users and students nationwide.

There is an official “Scholarship Search by SallieMae” now available to help you get started with finding the ideal scholarships. Scholarship categories include those:

• based on a field of study
• for college students
• for graduate studies
• based on hobbies

Using the Scholarship Search by SallieMae is totally free. Students can register online for an account. Once the account is created and verified, you can then log in to begin browsing for scholarships. You will immediately gain access to the actual scholarship searching tool as well as a college-planning calculator tool. Other great resources include tips for writing college scholarship essays and applying for scholarships.

Additionally, users who register to become members of SallieMae online to begin searching for and comparing different scholarships are also automatically entered into a monthly drawing to win more than $1,000.

Special Features:

• Scholarship Search Tool: SallieMae offers a scholarship search engine with access to thousands of scholarships. Users can search based on criteria such as academic background, interests, and demographics.
• College Planning Resources: SallieMae provides various college planning tools, including guides on financial aid, loan calculators, and information on how to apply for federal and private student loans.
• Scholarship Notifications: Students can sign up to receive alerts about new scholarships and financial aid opportunities that match their profiles.
• Student Loan Options: While SallieMae is known primarily for its student loan services, the site integrates loan information with its scholarship search tool, giving students a full picture of their financial aid options.
• Free Application: The scholarship search tool is free to use, making it accessible to all students seeking financial aid opportunities.

Cons:

1. Limited Focus on Scholarships: SallieMae’s primary focus is on student loans, so its scholarship search tool is not as comprehensive as dedicated scholarship platforms like FastWeb or Scholarships.com. It may not feature as many niche or local scholarships.
2. Profile Required for Search: Users need to complete a detailed profile to access scholarship matches, which can be time-consuming for students looking for quick results.
3. Aggressive Loan Marketing: Since SallieMae is primarily a student loan provider, users often receive promotions for loans while using the site, which can be distracting for students solely looking for scholarships.
4. Fewer Filters: The search tool offers limited filters compared to other dedicated scholarship sites, making it harder to narrow down results to specific categories or criteria.
5. Not Ideal for All Scholarship Types: SallieMae’s scholarship database may not cover smaller, more specialized scholarships, particularly those targeting niche fields or specific demographics.

6. Appily.com (Formerly Cappex)

Appily is a comprehensive platform for students seeking information on colleges, scholarships, and admissions. Founded in 2006, the site has earned a strong reputation for helping students navigate the often overwhelming process of selecting a college and finding financial aid. Appily also combines a college review tool with a scholarship search engine, making it a one-stop-shop for students planning their higher education journey.

Special Features:

• Scholarship Search Engine: Appily provides access to an extensive database of scholarships, matching students to opportunities based on their academic profile, extracurriculars, and demographic background.
• College Reviews and Admissions Tools: It offers reviews of colleges from current and former students, including data on acceptance rates, campus life, and overall student satisfaction.
• Admissions Calculator: Appily features a unique “Chances Calculator” that helps students estimate their chances of being accepted into specific colleges based on their academic performance, test scores, and other criteria.
• College Match Tool: Students can receive personalized college recommendations based on their academic profile and preferences.
• Appily Scholarships: Appily also offers its own scholarships, which are open to all students registered on the site.
• College Planning Resources: The site includes articles and resources to help students prepare for college applications, including tips on writing essays, preparing for interviews, and securing financial aid.
• Free to Use: Appily is entirely free for students, which makes it accessible for all users without any financial barriers.

Cons:

1. Some Scholarships May Have Strict Criteria: While Appily matches students with scholarships, some of the opportunities listed have very specific eligibility requirements, which can be frustrating if students do not meet those criteria.
2. No Automatic Application Submission: Unlike platforms such as ScholarshipOwl, which allow users to apply to multiple scholarships with one application, Appily does not have an automatic submission feature. Students still need to manually apply for each scholarship they are matched with.
3. Overload of Emails: Some users have reported receiving frequent emails from Appily, including scholarship opportunities and promotional messages, which can feel overwhelming.
4. Not Comprehensive for All Niche Scholarships: Although Appily offers a large database, it may not capture every single scholarship, especially smaller, highly specialized or local awards that may be found on other platforms.
5. Accuracy of Admissions Calculator: While the Admissions Calculator provides helpful insights, its accuracy is limited to the information users provide. Admissions decisions are influenced by a variety of factors, many of which are not captured by the tool, such as personal essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars.

Verdict

Appily is a highly useful resource for students who are beginning their college search and looking for financial aid. Its combination of personalized scholarship matches, college reviews, and admissions tools sets it apart from other scholarship search engines. The admissions calculator and college planning guides are valuable additions, making it a well-rounded platform for college-bound students. However, users should be prepared to manually apply for scholarships and manage a higher volume of emails from the platform.

7. Going Merry

Going Merry strives to provide every student equal access to education. The site is founded by Carnegie Mellon and Standford graduates who wanted to find an easy way for students apply for and manage scholarships.

Going Merry is one of the top legit scholarship websites. Each scholarship is vetted by the team so you can be certain the award is not a scam. Going Merry works with over 15,000 high schools.

Unlike other scholarship websites, Going Merry allows students to find and apply for scholarships (in most cases.) Applicants don’t need to search the web for applications after finding a scholarship of interest. Best of all, the service is free. Going Merry makes money by changing financial aid providers rather than students.

Going Merry also provides a variety of resources to scholarship hunters. These resources include:

• scholarship essay examples
• tips on writing a personal statement
• a guide to college financial aid

Special features:

• Streamlined Application Process: Going Merry allows students to apply to multiple scholarships directly through the platform, saving time by using one application form for several opportunities. This feature is highly convenient compared to other platforms where users must apply separately for each scholarship.
• Scholarship Matches: After creating a profile, users receive personalized scholarship matches based on their academic and personal background, making it easier to find relevant opportunities.
• Local and National Scholarships: Going Merry provides access to a wide range of scholarships, from local community-based awards to national scholarships, ensuring students have diverse opportunities.
• Financial Aid Forms: In addition to scholarships, Going Merry helps students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid forms, guiding them through the financial aid process.
• Mobile-Friendly: The platform is mobile-accessible, making it easy for students to search for scholarships, apply, and track their applications on the go.

Cons:

1. Limited Scholarship Database: While Going Merry offers a streamlined process and unique features, its database is not as extensive as platforms like FastWeb or Scholarships.com, which may limit the number of available scholarships for some users.
2. Profile Setup Required: To access scholarship matches, students need to create a detailed profile, which can be time-consuming. However, the effort pays off with more accurate scholarship recommendations.
3. Some Scholarships May Be Competitive: While Going Merry has a broad selection of scholarships, many are national or highly competitive, so students may face stiff competition for certain awards.
4. Relatively New Platform: Compared to longer-established scholarship sites, Going Merry is relatively new, which means some students might prefer using more established platforms with a longer track record.
5. Scholarship Pool May Be Smaller: Going Merry focuses heavily on simplifying the application process, but its scholarship pool might not include as many niche opportunities as other larger databases, potentially limiting the options for students with specialized interests or backgrounds.

8. ScholarshipOwl

ScholarshipOwl is “an innovative platform designed to dramatically speed up your scholarship application time.” Scholarship seekers can complete maximize their time by applying for similar scholarships at the same time. They complete a basic template of information and ScholarshipOwl takes care of the rest! Applicants can then check the status of their awards right from the ScholarshipOwl website. This reduces stress and improves security. While students can access scholarship matches for free, the premium membership service allows students to take advantage of all the benefits ScholarshipOwl has to offer.

All scholarship opportunities are fully vetted, so there are no worries about being scammed. Over 6 million students have used ScholarshipOwl to help secure college funding, so what are you waiting for?

Special features:

• Automated Application Process: ScholarshipOwl streamlines the application process by allowing students to apply to multiple scholarships using one centralized platform. It uses the information from a single profile to automatically fill out and submit applications for various scholarships, saving significant time and effort.
• Personalized Scholarship Matches: Based on the profile a student creates, ScholarshipOwl provides tailored scholarship recommendations, matching students with opportunities suited to their academic performance, interests, and background.
• Application Tracking: Students can track all their scholarship applications in one place, providing an organized and clear overview of their progress and deadlines.
• Scholarship Aggregation: The platform pulls scholarships from various sources, aggregating a broad range of opportunities in one place, making it easier to find and apply to multiple scholarships.
• User-Friendly Interface: ScholarshipOwl is known for its easy-to-use interface, making the process straightforward for students, even if they are new to the scholarship search process.

Cons:

1. Subscription Model: While ScholarshipOwl offers a free trial, many of its features are behind a paywall. Students must pay for a subscription to access the full range of automated applications and tracking tools, which may not be ideal for everyone.
2. Potential Over-Reliance on Automation: The automated process might lead some students to apply to scholarships that aren’t the best fit for their profile. The automation also limits students’ ability to customize applications for specific scholarships, which can be a drawback for highly competitive or personalized opportunities.
3. Limited Free Features: The free version of ScholarshipOwl offers limited functionality, and students may feel pressured to upgrade to a paid plan to fully benefit from the platform’s features.
4. Not All Scholarships Are Automated: Although many scholarships can be applied to through the platform, some still require additional information or steps outside the automated process, requiring manual effort from the user.
5. Scholarship Pool May Vary: While the platform offers a range of scholarships, some users may find the available scholarships less extensive compared to other platforms like FastWeb or Scholarships.com, particularly for niche fields.

9. Bold.org

Bold.org is included in our list of the best college scholarship websites because they offer exclusive scholarships not available anywhere else! They partner with donors and students to create a perfect match. The service is 100% free.

Students create a free profile that showcases their background and accomplishments. The website allows students to manage their scholarships in one place, tracking the status on the scholarship dashboard. Bold.org takes care of their award recipients by applying scholarships directly to tuition without any extra steps involved.

SPECIAL Features:

• Exclusive Scholarships: Bold.org offers a unique collection of exclusive scholarships created by donors, companies, and organizations, which are only available through the platform. This gives students access to scholarships that they won’t find on other platforms.
• Personalized Scholarship Matches: After creating a profile, students receive personalized scholarship recommendations based on their academic background, interests, and other factors, ensuring relevant opportunities.
• No Hidden Fees: Bold.org is completely free to use, with no subscription fees or paywalls, making it accessible to all students looking for financial aid.
• Essay-Based Scholarships: The platform hosts many scholarships that are essay-based, giving students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and writing skills to earn awards.
• Social Engagement Features: Bold.org allows users to build profiles, follow scholarship creators, and engage with the platform in ways that promote interaction and visibility, helping them stand out to scholarship providers.

Cons:

1. Focus on Smaller Awards: While Bold.org offers many scholarships, the majority of the awards tend to be smaller in value compared to other platforms. This may require students to apply to multiple scholarships to meet their financial needs.
2. Highly Competitive: Since the platform is growing in popularity, many of the scholarships are highly competitive, especially the essay-based awards, which can make it harder for students to secure funding.
3. No Scholarship Aggregation: Unlike larger platforms like FastWeb or Scholarships.com, Bold.org focuses primarily on its exclusive scholarships and does not aggregate scholarships from other sources. This may limit the overall number of opportunities available on the site.
4. Emphasis on Essays: Many scholarships on Bold.org require essay submissions, which may be a downside for students who prefer scholarships based on merit or demographic qualifications without needing to submit an essay.
5. Profile Visibility: To fully engage with the platform, users need to create a public profile, which may not appeal to students who prefer to keep their scholarship applications private.

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