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🚫 Some scholarship listings may be outdated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

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay

A strong scholarship essay can be the key to securing free money for college, but with so many applicants, standing out is essential. A well-crafted essay showcases your personality, achievements, and future goals in a way that grabs the reader’s attention. Learn...

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...

Essential Tips for Acing College Interviews

College interviews are your chance to make a lasting impression beyond your application. Master the art of showcasing your personality, goals, and enthusiasm with these essential tips for acing admissions and scholarship interviews. Understand the Purpose of 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...

Study Hacks for Busy Students: How to Learn More in Less Time

Balancing school with work, family, and other responsibilities can feel overwhelming, especially when there’s limited time to study. The good news? You don’t need to spend hours buried in textbooks to learn effectively. With the right study strategies, you can absorb...

Scholarships for Career Changers: Financial Aid for a Fresh Start

Switching careers is a bold and exciting step, but going back to school for a new degree or certification can be expensive. Fortunately, many scholarships are designed specifically for adults who are making a career transition. Whether you're moving from one industry...

How to Create a Budget as a College Student

Managing money in college can feel overwhelming, but creating a budget is one of the best ways to stay on top of your finances. Whether you’re dealing with financial aid, part-time income, or family support, budgeting helps you take control and avoid unnecessary debt....

Merit-Based vs. Need-Based Scholarships: What’s the Difference?

Why It Matters to Know the Difference When it comes to paying for college, scholarships can make a major dent in your expenses—but not all scholarships are created equal. Understanding the difference between merit-based and need-based scholarships can help you target...

Scholarship Application 101: Your Guide to Success

Applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re heading to college, trade school, or looking for financial help with continuing education, scholarships can make a big difference. Dive into this guide to uncover the basics and...

How to Build a Strong Resume in High School

Your high school resume is your ticket to showcasing your unique skills and achievements to colleges, scholarships, and potential employers. Set yourself apart by learning how to craft a standout resume that reflects your strengths and potential. Why a Resume Matters...

Check out these scholarships:

Augustana College Distinguished Scholar Competition

Augustana College invites graduating high school seniors who possess strong records of academic achievement and have demonstrated exceptional leadership to their school and community to participate in the Distinguished Scholars Competition, the college's most...

Paul S. Mills Scholarship

The Paul S. Mills Scholarship program offers scholarships to students pursuing an undergraduate education in a financial service related field. This may include finance, accounting, insurance or risk management, actuarial sciences, and personal financial...

ASM Canton-Massillon Chapter – Freshman Scholarship

The Freshman Scholarship Application is directed toward local students in the Canton-Massillon area who are embarking on a career in metallurgy, materials science or other engineering/science disciplines. Scholarship Sponsor ASM InternationalAward Type $2,000...

New Mexico Tech Freshmen Copper Scholarship

The Copper Scholarship is a $2,000/year scholarship at New Mexico Tech. Scholarship Sponsor New Mexico TechAward Type $2,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: USA Criteria / Requirements: Applicants must have a high school GPA...

Alabama Golf Association Women’s Scholarship Fund

The 2020 Scholarship is valued at $20,000 over four years ($2,500 per semester and renewed on a fall and spring semester basis for eight consecutive semesters), given that all Scholarship requirements are maintained. This is not an athletic scholarship, rather it is...

Undergraduate Scholarship

Optimal is awarding need-based scholarships of $5,000 to current undergraduate college students. Scholarship Sponsor OptimalAward Type $5,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: Legal residents of the United States (excluding...

Karen George Chicago Speech Therapy Scholarship

In an effort to support the field of speech-language pathology, we are offering a scholarship to select candidates who share our passion for helping children. The scholarship is based on many factors, so do not get discouraged based on your grades or GRE score. Must...

Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship

The Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance scholarship honors the memory of former California state treasurer, Matt Fong, for his dedication to public service, active involvement in state politics, and direct impact he had in opening up opportunities for Asian...

Dr Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship

The Spirit of Achievement Scholarship was named to honor Dr. Odom-Wesley for her commitment and passion for education and her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha. Scholarship applicants must be an African-American female high school senior currently attending classes in the...

NPG Essay Scholarship Contest

NPG, a national membership organization devoted to population issues invites students to compete in our annual essay scholarship contest with their own experience and insight guiding their ideas for a solution. Scholarship Sponsor NPGAward Type $2,000 CashGender...

The Purple Heart Scholarship Fund

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial support to Purple Heart recipients and their families for the direct costs of higher education. Scholarship Sponsor Purple Heart Foundation Award Type $5,000 CashGender...

University of Nebraska George Beadle Scholarship

As a commitment to academic excellence, the George Beadle Tuition Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving nonresident students to offset the cost of out-of-state tuition. This scholarship can only be applied to resident University of Nebraska–Lincoln tuition. Award...

Saint Louis University Peter Claver Service Scholarship

SLU's Saint Peter Claver Service Scholarship is granted once every four years and recognizes an incoming student from an urban setting who is committed to community service.Scholarship Sponsor St Louis UniversityAward Type $2,200 CashGender Eligibility AllOther...

Youth Foundation Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarships

Established in 1968, the Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship is awarded to exceptionally worthy high school seniors with demonstrated financial need, for up to four years of college undergraduate studyScholarship Sponsor Youth FoundationAward Type $4,000 CashGender...

Chief Warrant Officer John A. Keller Scholarship

The CWO John A. Keller, Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association Scholarship Grant was established to financially assist dependent children of members in good standing or who were members in good standing of the CWOA, United States Coast Guard at the time of...
Skip to content