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Finding scholarships and grants

There are a lot of resources to help you pay for college. Learn how to find and apply for college scholarships and grants that can help you cover the costs of school.

Types and requirements

Some scholarships and grants are merit-based, while others are based on financial need or your extra curricular activities. Some provide support to students pursuing specific careers. Typically, there’s no limit to the number of scholarships and/or grants for which you can apply for; however, some programs put limits on the total amount you can accept each year. Both scholarships and grants usually have deadlines. It’s important to plan ahead and start the application process as early as possible.

How to find scholarships and grants on and offline

Doing some general research can help pinpoint the scholarship and grant options you qualify for based on your accomplishments, background, and interests. Here are a few methods to get the most out of your search and help you find funding for college:

  • Visit with your high school counselor or college financial aid office.
  • Search for scholarships online, using TFS Scholarships, a private website designed to help students find scholarship information with access to over 7 million scholarships totaling more than $41 billion in scholarship awards.
  • Visit a school’s website or admissions office to determine if they offer any scholarships to help you receive funding for college.
  • Look to institutions in your community, such as religious organizations, banks, or other civic organizations.
  • Check out local and national businesses to see what types of scholarships they offer.
  • Visit the U.S. Department of Education for information on federal government grants and to complete the FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form you’ll need to complete to apply for most financial aid).

Beware of scholarship scams

Watch out for scams, especially online. Some common scam scenarios include “free” seminars that push you to pay for more information, or application fees, or a scholarship prize that requires you pay a fee to collect. You shouldn’t have to pay money to get scholarships or grants.

Learn about your options for paying for college.

These types of scholarships are received based on academic performance, but may also reflect extracurricular involvement.