Scholarships (or "free money") are an attractive way to pay for college because you don't need to pay them back. Scholarship awards range from a few dollars to covering the full tuition bill.

Scholarships are offered by many organizations, including federal and state governments and private sources, such as:

• Employers
• Individuals
• Companies
• High schools and colleges
• Religious groups
• Professional associations

Scholarship eligibility

• Academic performance
• Athletic achievement
• Financial need
• Religious affiliation
• Minority status
• Heritage
• Community affiliations
• A unique set of criteria that's important to the organization providing funds

Searching for and getting scholarships
Your search for scholarships will succeed if you start early, stay focused, and search diligently. Remember to apply for scholarships every year you plan to attend college.

• Get familiar with scholarship requirements.
• Pick up some scholarship application tips.
• Learn how to spot and avoid scholarship scams.
• Get help with those scholarship essays.
• Check out our featured scholarships.

Scholarship Timeline
Scholarship deadlines typically range between October and March of the year preceding the one for which scholarship funds will be needed. The best time to begin looking for scholarships is at least one year before you actually need the funding.