How to Go to College for Free: 11Easy Ways to Find College Scholarships
Paying for college doesn’t have to be a daunting task when you have the right resources, and luckily, resources abound that will teach you how to go to college for free. Finding them is just a quick internet search away!
11 Easy Ways to Find College Scholarships
1. Your school’s Financial Aid Office
You don’t have to be an enrolled student to vet scholarships at your prospective college. Visit the financial aid office’s website and contact them to ask what scholarships are available. Be ready to answer questions about your residency, program, and GPA.
Don’t forget to thank and keep the contact information of the person you spoke to. They may also be able to help you through your admission process!
2. DoSomething.org
Want to earn easy scholarship money with no essay or GPA requirements? Look no further than DoSomething.org. The youth-led organization known for its worldwide community service impact has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships. Browse their Easy Scholarships to learn how you could win big while making an impact.
P.S. All that community service will look great on college apps!
3. Scholarships360.org
Similar to DoSomething.org, Scholarships360.org has a powerful scholarship search tool that helps students find just the right scholarships for them. Starting by a pair of first-generation college students, the goal of Scholarships360 is to make it easier to navigate the college financial aid journey.
P.S. Scholarships360 also offers free resources to help you get all those scholarships you’re applying for!
4. U.S. Department of Labor’s Scholarship Search Tool
You can find over 8,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities in the United States and internationally! Almost every location, level of study, and focus are covered under the USDOL scholarship search tool.
5. Your State Grant Agency
Get the details on state-specific scholarships, grants, and loans through your state’s Dept. of Education office. Many of these awards are funded to students attending college in-state!
6. Your high school guidance counselor
It’s recommended that you visit your high school guidance counselor at least twice a year. Not only will they keep you on track as you get ready for college, they also have the resources to help you plan for higher education. Share with them your dream schools and interests and ask them to forward you opportunities that match.
7. Federal Student Aid
This site is your go-to for financial aid opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of Education. The most popular application is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll find grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, aid for current and former foster youth, and more on this site.
8. Religious or community organizations, local nonprofits, or civic groups
Your community wants to see you prosper! The only thing better than being the hometown hero is having a hand in helping them reach success. Do a quick Google search of organizations and nonprofits in your area that provide financial aid opportunities.
9. Professional Associations
Professional organizations are known for awarding financial aid to promising students. Scout scholarships for every field from fashion to finance and everything in between. This is also a great way to find internships, mentors, and enlarge your network. Here’s are scholarship and fellowship opportunities for Math majors from the American Mathematical Association. Whatever your major is, there’s a professional association that can help you!
10. Ethnicity-based organizations
Organizations dedicated to the betterment of minorities such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) all have funds dedicated to helping students financially through higher education. Find out if you qualify and how to apply on their websites. An example is the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) who provide scholarships for minorities studying the field of engineering.
11. Your employer or your parent's employer
A growing number of companies, including Walmart, McDonald’s, and Target have promised to cover school expenses for their employees. If you’re able to work through school try finding employment with a corporation that has an employee education program. Your parent or guardian’s employer may also have a scholarship program available.
Bonus: Your local library can be a great source for scholarship leads!
Final Thoughts
Good luck with your search and remember you should NEVER have to pay to apply for any type of financial aid.
Need help writing a scholarship essay? Trying to figure out if you qualify for a specific scholarship? Just need someone who can help you figure out your best financial aid options?
Sign up to work with a free college counselor through UPchieve today! You can connect with a college prep tutor in as little as 5 minutes, 24 hours a day!