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🚫 Some scholarship listings may be outdated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

Financial Planning for College as a Parent

Going back to school is a big decision, but going back while raising kids? That’s next-level. Whether you’re finishing a degree, starting one for the first time, or pursuing a career change, balancing parent life with college is no small task—especially when it comes...

Returning to School After a Break: What You Need to Know

Going back to school after a break can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a chance to chase new goals and open doors to better opportunities. Whether you’re starting fresh or finishing what you started, returning to school as an adult requires planning, focus, and a bit...

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....

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 Internships Can Help You Get Ahead in Your Career

Landing your dream job often requires more than just a degree—real-world experience is key. That’s where internships come in. Whether paid or unpaid, internships provide valuable skills, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience that can give you a competitive...

Is Community College a Smart Choice for Adult Learners?

Rethinking the College Path For adult learners going back to school, community college often flies under the radar. But with flexible schedules, lower costs, and programs designed to fast-track careers, it might just be one of the smartest moves you can make. Whether...

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...

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...

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...

Check out these scholarships:

The Melissa Stoneberger Foundation Scholarship

The Melissa Stoneberger Foundation is looking for a highly motivated applicant who is involved in his/her community, with strong leadership skills and personal drive, a full-time student, who is both willing to help us in continuing Melissa's legacy and in need. An...

Hope College Presidential Scholarships

To be eligible for the Hope College Presidential Scholarships, applicants must have a 3.8 GPA, and have an ACT of 28 or an SAT of 1300. Renewable upon a 3.0 GPA. Scholarship Sponsor Hope CollegeAward Type $52,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria...

Delmar Gardens – Love, Care and Understanding Scholarship

Seniors who attend a high school in Henderson, including CCSD Nevada, Private or Charter schools with a 3.75 or higher GPA who plan to study healthcare, nursing, social work, or therapy in college may apply for this scholarship. One scholarship in the amount of $1,000...

A Better Slice for Education – Papa John’s Pizza Scholarship

CCSD Nevada college bound high school seniors with a 3.5 or higher GPA who are involved in community service with 50 or more hours this year may apply for this scholarship. Two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be offered.Scholarship Sponsor The Public...

Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship is for a student who was either a service member of the United States Navy or is a child/grandchild of a service member who was in the United States Navy, and is in need of financial assistance.Scholarship Sponsor...

GLHF Career Development Scholarship

The Career Development Scholarship provides funding assistance for tuition and enrollment fees relevant to continuing education in a non-traditional or non-degree format. This scholarship is intended to promote career development for those living with bleeding...

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Applicants for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation must be the child of an active duty or reserve U.S. Marine, a veteran U.S. Marine who has received an honorable discharge, or who was killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Children of U.S. Navy Corpsmen,...

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Scholarship

Each summer, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless awards college scholarships to graduating seniors who experienced homelessness while in high school. Scholarship Sponsor Chicago Coalition for the HomelessAward Type $2500 CashGender Eligibility AllOther...

Zappos For Good Scholarship

CCSD high school seniors living in Clark County, Nevada with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are active in community service and plan to attend an accredited college or university may apply for this scholarship. Financial need will considered. Two scholarships in the amount of...

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences sponsors programs, seminars, and scholarships for high school and colleges in cities served by the 19 local chapters and awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who intend to pursue a bachelor's...

SILA Post Secondary College Scholarship

The SILA Foundation awards five (5) $2,500 scholarships for use at an accredited post-secondary college or university. Scholarship Sponsor Sila FoundationAward Type $2,500 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: USA Criteria /...

G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship Fund

G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to an outstanding high school student who has volunteered at a Veterans Administration Hospital, Clinic or similar organization providing services to military veterans, to attend an accredited...

Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship

The Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship was established by Peggy Traub and Phyllis Dicker to encourage and support lesbian women in their pursuit of higher education. Scholarship Sponsor Stonewall FoundationAward Type $3,000 CashGender Eligibility FemaleOther...

John Elway – Melba FFA Scholarship

Pursuing a degree in any field of agriculture or agribusiness. Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale required. Scholarship Sponsor Western Dairy Farmers Promotion AssociationAward Type $300 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: Idaho...

Derek Jeter/Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Administered by the Jackie Robinson Foundation and provides four-year college scholarships and mentoring to high-achieving minority students from the New York City area that display excellent leadership potential. Scholarship was endowed in 2001, but Derek and Turn...
Skip to content