Type of Scholarships

College Costs Education Savings Plans
Free Money for College
•	Scholarships
	-	Types of Scholarships
	-	Requirements
	-	Tips
	-	Scams
	-	Scholarship Essays
	-	Featured Scholarships
•	Free Scholarship Search
•	Grants
Loans to Help Pay Other Ways to Pay Student Financial Aid Tax Benefits Información en Español

Free Money for College

Types of Scholarships

Scholarships can be based on academic performance, financial need, religious affiliation, minority status, heritage, community affiliations, or a unique set of criteria that's important to the organization providing funds. Here are a few examples:

Your high school or prospective college may award scholarships based on academic performance.
Ethnic organizations often provide scholarships to outstanding students sharing their respective ethnic backgrounds.
Many companies offer scholarships to children of their employees.
Some houses of worship and religious denominations offer scholarships for students planning a career in the clergy.
Some organizations sponsor scholarships to attract students to a field of study facing a worker shortage, or to encourage non-traditional or minority students to work toward a specific degree.

Don't worry if you don't receive a particular scholarship the first time you apply—many scholarships allow applicants to apply the following year.

Scholarship Opportunities

Check out Sallie Mae's free scholarship search offering an award database worth over $16 billion.

The scholarship search was Amazing! It gave information I would have never found. It was easy and a true blessing. I feel so much better about my daughter's future plans. A weight has been lifted!
~ N Watson

Who might have scholarship money to offer?

Look beyond colleges and universities for scholarships. Educational funding in the private sector has increased dramatically in recent years.

Review mainstream sources of funds, and be creative. Think about what makes you different, and find groups that value that difference. Many organizations offer scholarships, including:

•   State and local governments

•   Businesses

•   Employers

•   Clubs

•   Associations

•   High schools

•   Civic groups

•   Religious organizations

•   Trade associations

•   Labor unions

•   Political parties

•   Military associations

•   Private foundations

•   Private charities

•   Ethnic organizations

SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.