The Scholarship "game" is a game of numbers and it's one that you can win. There are millions of scholarships worth billions of dollars, offered by thousands of individuals and organizations of many kinds. It can make yor head spin!
That means there is a lot to sort through to play and win - but don't give up. This website contains of wealth of information and we do our best to provide clear navigation to help you find money for school. But sometimes you just have a quick question and you're not sure where to look.
That's where the FAQ comes in, to find answers and get you on your way quickly. Take a look below to find your question and get some information and direction:
What is a scholarship? A scholarship is an award of money for education that never has to be repaid.
Do I have to be super smart to win a scholarship? No, there are scholarships for just about anyone who takes the time and effort to find the right ones and apply.
Should I apply for as many scholarships as I can find? Scholarships are typically awarded for a specific purpose, so you should carefully review the description of each scholarship and who is eligible to apply. The closer you can match your qualifications to the purpose of the scholarship, the better your chance of winning!
What's the difference between Scholarships and Financial Aid? Financial Aid is provided by federal or state governments based on financial need. Scholarships are given out for specific purposes or to help individuals with particular talents, ethnicity or other characteristic, or goals. Some scholarships are awarded via drawings based solely on luck.
Are Scholarships only awarded at the start of the school year? No, scholarships are awarded throughout the year: it is never a bad time to start looking for scholarships that can help you pay for college!
What is a FAFSA? FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is basically the gateway to all federal and state educational grants as well as many provided by individual schools.
How do I get a Pell Grant? You must fill out your FAFSA (see question above) and you will be awarded a Pell Grant if you qualify.
Does it matter when I file my FAFSA as long as I meet the deadlines? Yes it can matter very much! There are some grant awards, such as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, that are given out on a first come, first-served basis. If you don't file early you could miss out on these funds.
Do I have to be a high school senior to apply for a scholarship? No, there are actually scholarships available for students in the 9th and 10th grade. In fact, competition for these scholarships is often lower than for others because people don't know about them or aren't yet thinking about how to pay for college.
Where can I find student loans? Student Loans are often offered as part of the financial aid package you recieve from your school; these are offered or subsidized by the government. You can also get student loans from private banks and credit unions.
Do I have to pay to find out what scholarships are available? No, there are several good scholarshp lists that are available for free online.
What is my EFC? Your EFC is the "expected family contribution" that will be calculated based on the information you provide in your FAFSA. It represents what your family is expected to be able to pay toward your education --- grants and loans may then be provided to help cover the rest of your costs.
Can scholarships really help pay for college? They definitely can! In fact, about 30% of all students receive scholarships totalling an average of over $7000 annually to pay for their education!
Should I bother filling out the FAFSA if my family has a pretty good income? Yes! Always fill out your FAFSA! 30% of families earning over $100,000 per year receive financial assistance averaging over $5000 each year.
Do I just fill out the FAFSA one time for my financial aid? No, you must fill out and file a FAFSA at the beginning of each academic year!
Can I really win a scholarship just by registering and getting lucky? You definitely can! We hold a monthly drawing for a $100 winner every month on this website. It only take minutes and you can sign up for a chance to win each month. Try it now at Register To Win.