Searching for scholarships can feel overwhelming, but the right websites can make the process much easier. Instead of manually sifting through hundreds of programs, scholarship search engines allow you to filter by eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts. Whether you’re a high school senior, college student, or graduate applicant, these top scholarship websites will help you find free money for school.

1. Scholarships.com

Best for: Large scholarship database and personalized matching

Why It’s Great:

  • Over 3.7 million scholarships worth $19 billion
  • Free personalized search based on your background, major, and interests
  • Updated frequently with new scholarships

Pros:
✔ Easy to use with detailed filters
✔ Includes college-specific scholarships
✔ Free to sign up and search

Cons:
🚫 Requires creating an account to access full listings
🚫 Some scholarships may have high competition

🔗 Visit: www.scholarships.com

2. Fastweb

Best for: Students looking for personalized scholarship recommendations

Why It’s Great:

  • One of the oldest and most trusted scholarship search engines
  • Matches students with scholarships, internships, and part-time jobs
  • Sends email alerts for new scholarship opportunities

Pros:
✔ Advanced filtering to find scholarships that fit you
✔ Offers financial aid and loan information
✔ Great for high school and college students

Cons:
🚫 Requires an account to access full listings
🚫 Some email alerts can be repetitive

🔗 Visit: www.fastweb.com

3. Cappex

Best for: Finding scholarships and comparing colleges

Why It’s Great:

  • Over $11 billion in scholarships available
  • Includes a college search tool to compare schools
  • Helps students see their admissions chances based on their profile

Pros:
✔ Easy to navigate with clear scholarship details
✔ Combines college and scholarship search in one place
✔ Includes student reviews of colleges

Cons:
🚫 Requires sign-up to view scholarships
🚫 Some scholarship listings may be outdated

🔗 Visit: www.cappex.com

4. Chegg Scholarships

Best for: A user-friendly experience and no spam emails

Why It’s Great:

  • Over 25,000 scholarships listed
  • No need to create an account
  • Simple, clean search tool for quick results

Pros:
✔ No account required to browse
✔ No spam or excessive emails
✔ Straightforward search filters

Cons:
🚫 Fewer scholarship opportunities than bigger databases
🚫 Some scholarships are limited to U.S. students

🔗 Visit: www.chegg.com/scholarships

5. Niche

Best for: No-essay scholarships and unique awards

Why It’s Great:

  • Offers easy-to-apply no-essay scholarships
  • Includes college rankings and reviews
  • Some scholarships require just a quick sign-up

Pros:
✔ Simple application process
✔ Unique scholarship opportunities
✔ Great for students who don’t want to write essays

Cons:
🚫 Limited advanced search filters
🚫 High competition for easy-apply scholarships

🔗 Visit: www.niche.com

6. College Board’s BigFuture

Best for: Reliable scholarships from a trusted source

Why It’s Great:

  • Over $6 billion in scholarships
  • Offers scholarship programs directly from the College Board
  • Matches students with merit-based and need-based scholarships

Pros:
✔ Reputable source for scholarships
✔ No account required to browse
✔ Helps students understand financial aid

Cons:
🚫 Some scholarships require additional applications
🚫 Not as many niche scholarships as other sites

🔗 Visit: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

7. Bold.org

Best for: Exclusive scholarships with less competition

Why It’s Great:

  • Offers exclusive scholarships not found on other sites
  • Focuses on students with unique backgrounds, interests, and talents
  • Many scholarships have lower applicant pools, increasing chances of winning

Pros:
✔ No-essay scholarships available
✔ Supports underrepresented students
✔ Private platform with unique funding sources

Cons:
🚫 Requires a Bold.org account
🚫 Not as many large scholarships as bigger search engines

🔗 Visit: www.bold.org

8. Going Merry

Best for: Applying to multiple scholarships with one application

Why It’s Great:

  • Allows you to apply for multiple scholarships at once
  • Matches students with scholarships based on their profile
  • Also provides grants and financial aid resources

Pros:
✔ Saves time with a universal application
✔ Includes both local and national scholarships
✔ Offers FAFSA assistance

Cons:
🚫 Requires an account to access scholarships
🚫 Some scholarships still require separate applications

🔗 Visit: www.goingmerry.com

How to Make the Most of Scholarship Websites

💡 Sign up for multiple sites – No single website has every scholarship, so use at least 2-3 for the best results.

💡 Set up email alerts – Stay updated on new scholarships before deadlines pass.

💡 Apply early and often – The more you apply, the better your chances of winning.

💡 Watch out for scamsLegit scholarships never ask for money or personal financial details.

Final Thoughts: Find Free Money for College

Scholarships can make a huge difference in reducing student debt, but finding the right ones takes effort. These top scholarship websites will help you maximize your chances of winning. Take the time to explore them, apply for as many scholarships as possible, and keep working toward your educational goals!

Related Content

Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students: Where to Look

Going back to school as a non-traditional student can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to paying for tuition. Many scholarships are designed for recent high school graduates, but plenty of funding opportunities exist for adults returning to...

Choosing the Right Major: What to Consider for Career Success

Picking a college major is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your education, and it can shape your career path for years to come. While it's important to follow your passions, choosing a major that aligns with job market demand, salary potential, and career...

How to Get Letters of Recommendation for Scholarship Applications

Why Recommendation Letters Matter A strong letter of recommendation can be the deciding factor in a competitive scholarship application. While your grades and essay tell one story, a recommendation provides a trusted outside perspective that confirms your strengths,...

Scholarships for Veterans and Military Families: How to Apply

For veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, pursuing higher education is not just a career goal—it’s a well-earned opportunity. But navigating how to pay for college can be confusing, especially when trying to combine GI Bill benefits, federal aid,...

Making the Most of Your Scholarships: A Guide to Maximizing Your Benefits

Winning a scholarship is an incredible achievement, but it’s just the beginning. Once you’ve secured funding, it’s essential to use it wisely and strategically. Learn how to stretch your scholarship dollars, stay eligible, and make the most of this opportunity for a...

Essential Apps Every College Student Should Download

College is a juggling act—classes, homework, social life, maybe even a part-time job. Luckily, there’s an app for pretty much everything. Whether you're trying to stay on top of deadlines, manage your money, or cram for midterms, having the right tools on your phone...

Budgeting 101: How to Stretch Your College Dollars

Winning a scholarship is an incredible achievement, but it’s just the beginning. Once you’ve secured funding, it’s essential to use it wisely and strategically. Learn how to stretch your scholarship dollars, stay eligible, and make the most of this opportunity for a...

10 Study Hacks for College Success

College classes can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can stay on top of your coursework and excel academically. Uncover these simple yet effective study techniques to boost your skills and ace your classes. Create a Study Schedule Time management is...

Leveraging Your College Education for Career Growth

Your college education is more than just a degree—it’s a launchpad for career success. By taking advantage of networking opportunities, internships, and campus resources, you can build a strong foundation for your future. Discover practical tips to help you make the...

Continuing Education: Why Lifelong Learning is Key to Career Success

Graduating with a degree is a major accomplishment, but learning shouldn’t stop there. In today’s fast-changing job market, continuing education is essential for staying competitive, increasing earning potential, and expanding career opportunities. Whether through...

Check out these scholarships:

Scholarships for Single Parents: How to Get Help Paying for College

Going back to school as a single parent can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to create a brighter future for you and your family. Thankfully, there are scholarships and financial aid programs specifically designed to support single parents in achieving...

Jennifer Wilson Memorial Scholarship

Boulder City High School Clark County, Nevada, Seniors earning a minimum 2.5 GPA may apply for this scholarship. One award of $1,000 will be given.Scholarship Sponsor The Public Education FoundationAward Type $1,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther...

Frederick and Janelle Geihs Memorial Scholarship

Cheyenne High School in Clark County, NV or Liberty High School in Clark County, NV college-bound seniors with a 3.5 or higher GPA and who plan to major in education at an accredited college or university in Nevada may apply for this scholarship. Student must...

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state (and a US citizen). Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the...

Kearns Louis-Jean Memorial Scholarship

The Kearns Louis-Jean Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students of color within Boston, and neighboring cities/town, who are entering their first year of college, and pursuing a degree within STEM. KLJ Way will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships for the upcoming...

New Mexico Tech Freshmen Presidential Scholarship

New Mexico Tech gives academic scholarships, or merit-based aid, solely on the basis of academic achievement.Scholarship Sponsor New Mexico TechAward Type $16,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: USA Criteria / Requirements:...

NCOA Scholarship Fund

The NCOA Scholarship Fund is one of the most important entities within the Association.  Established in 1970, its single purpose is to help dependents of NCOA members continue their education beyond high school. Scholarship Sponsor Non Comissioned Officers Association...

Pacific Collection Group Scholarship

Pacific Collection Group's Annual Scholarship - Pacific Collection Group is offering a $1,000 scholarship to any undergraduate or graduate student pursuits a career in business or legal based educational programs. Scholarship Sponsor Pacific Collection GroupAward Type...

$2,000 PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship

The $2000 PixelPlex Bi-Annual Scholarship was established to help support students pursuing education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as economics and business.Scholarship Sponsor Pixel PlexAward Type $2,000 CashGender...

Mercatus Joseph Schumpeter Undergraduate Fellowship

The Joseph Schumpeter Undergraduate Fellowship is a competitive, renewable fellowship program for undergraduate students at George Mason University. Fellowships are open to full- and part-time degree-seeking Mason students from any discipline who are interested in...

Alec Baldwin Drama Scholarship

The oldest Hollywood-working actor of the famous Baldwin brothers, Alec Baldwin received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama from New York University in 1994. The philanthropic celebrity has established an endowed scholarship for NYU students in the Tisch School...

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grants

Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program is designed to provide financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and private not-for-profit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. The primary objective of...

Catch A Break! Scholarship Program

The Catch A Break! Scholarship Program is offering awards of up to $44,000 per scholarship recipient, through a 4-year, renewable scholarship of up to $11,000 per year. The program is intended to enable recipients to graduate debt-free following four years of study....

Nebraska Democratic Women’s Caucus Inspiring Women Scholarship

The Nebraska Democratic Women's Caucus Inspiring Women Scholarship is awarded to Nebraska Democratic women who are active in their communities and progressive politics. Scholarship Sponsor Nebraska Democratic Women’s CaucusAward Type $500 CashGender Eligibility...

Scholarship Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for scholarships is one of the best ways to reduce college costs, but even the most qualified students can lose out on funding due to simple mistakes. A strong application can mean the difference between winning free money for school or missing out on...
Skip to content