Scholarships are free money for college! Apply to as many as possible.
What are scholarships
A college scholarship is money for college expenses that does not have to be paid back. You can get a scholarship for different reasons: good grades or test scores, a special talent like in music or sports, or a specific characteristic.
Scholarships may range from a few hundred dollars up to the full cost of attendance. You may have to use a scholarship at a specific college or it may be "portable," meaning that you can use the funds at any college.
How to apply for scholarships
Search for scholarships
- Pay attention to requirements. Only apply for scholarships you are eligible for. Many scholarship search engines let you filter by specific criteria.
- Focus locally. The more local the scholarship, the more likely you are to win! Check in with your high school's counseling office or college & career center, explore the OSAC scholarship catalog, and use our calendar of Oregon scholarships.
- Look at your college. Some colleges award scholarships automatically. Others need an extra application.
- Search nationally. There are many free websites to search for scholarships. For those that need a log in, be aware that they may sell your information.
Stay organized
- Make a list. Keep track of scholarships and deadlines.
- Plan ahead. Some scholarships ask for essays, letters of recommendation, or other information from you or your school.
- Treat it like a part-time job. Set aside time each week and apply to as many scholarships as you can!
- Start now. Many scholarships are open to younger students.