Scholarship & Grants
Paying for college doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
A smart financial aid strategy includes a mix of grants, scholarships, work-study/employment, and responsible borrowing to minimize debt while maximizing opportunities. Below is a curated list of trusted resources to help families navigate college costs, from scholarship searches to federal aid and financial planning tools.
Federal & Institutional Financial Aid
Start here for need-based aid, grants, and official FAFSA resources:
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – The gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
FAFSA Guide by SallieMae
2024-2025 FAFSA Walkthrough Guide by Utah System of Higher Education
CSS Profile – Offered by CollegeBoard and required by many private colleges in addition to FAFSA.
CSS Tutorial by CollegeBoard
CSS Guide by Going Merry
State-Specific Financial Aid Programs – Gov’t sponsored financial aid and college resources for every state.
University-Specific Scholarships & Grants – Check each college’s financial aid website for details.
Comprehensive Search Tools
These platforms help students find local, national, and niche scholarships:
Going Merry – A personalized scholarship search with application management.
Scholarships.com – One of the largest databases of available scholarships.
Fastweb – Scholarship search tool with student profile matching.
Cappex – Helps students find scholarships and compare colleges.
BigFuture by College Board – A reliable source for scholarships linked to SAT and College Board programs.
Affinity/Interest Groups
Many scholarships are available for students based on demographics, career goals, or personal background:
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) – For Black students attending accredited colleges.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund – For students of Hispanic/Latino heritage.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation – For high-achieving, low-income students.
APIA Scholars – For Asian and Pacific Islander students.
Point Foundation – For LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education.
American Indian College Fund – For Indigenous students.
Scholarships for Women – A collection of funding opportunities for female students.
Competitive Merit-based Aid
Highly competitive, but often full-tuition or high-value awards:
National Merit Scholarship Program – Based on PSAT scores.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program – Recognizing leadership and academic excellence.
The Gates Scholarship – Full-ride for outstanding, low-income minority students.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship – For students excelling in STEM, literature, or music.
Competitive Need-based Aid
These competitive programs provide substantial financial aid and additional support for students with demonstrated financial need.
Dell Scholars Program – Scholarship and support services for students who have overcome adversity.
The Gates Scholarship – A full-ride scholarship for outstanding, low-income minority students.
Horatio Alger Scholarships – Multiple programs for low-income students who have overcome adversity.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship – For high-achieving students with financial need.
Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship – Supports first-generation low-income college students.
UNCF Scholarships – A variety of scholarships for African American students with demonstrated need.
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund – Supports students actively working for social justice with financial need.
Greenhouse Scholars Program – Offers mentorship and financial aid to high-achieving, low-income students.
Alternative/Service-Based Aid
For students willing to commit to service in exchange for educational grants or loan forgiveness:
AmeriCorps – A national service program offering an education award after completing service, often used for gap year opportunities.
ROTC Scholarships – Covers tuition for students committing to military service after graduation.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship – For students demonstrating leadership and service.
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Scholarships – A variety of awards for different fields of study.
Financial Aid Planning Tools
Understanding financial aid, budgeting for college, and avoiding student loan debt is just as important as finding scholarships:
Net Price Calculators (NPC) – Use the provided NPC for each school to estimate that colleges Net Cost.
Federal Aid Estimator - Get an early estimate of your federal financial aid eligibility.
Federal Student Loan Simulator – Families can simulate loan strategies, repayment plans, etc. to plan ahead.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams – Learn how to spot and avoid fraudulent scholarship offers.
Need Help Making Sense of Everything?
Financial aid can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’d like expert guidance on scholarships, financial aid comparisons, or appeals, let’s talk.