Finding the best website to find scholarships can be a game-changer for students looking to fund their education. With college costs on the rise, scholarships provide a means to alleviate the financial burden without incurring debt.
In this guide, I’ll share my insights on the top scholarship websites, what makes them stand out, and how you can choose the one that fits your needs. Whether you’re a high school senior, a college student, or an adult learner, these platforms can help you uncover opportunities to make your education more affordable.
Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes—some reward academic excellence, others focus on financial need, and many celebrate unique talents or backgrounds. The challenge is finding the right ones for you. That’s where scholarship websites come in, acting like a treasure map to guide you through thousands of opportunities.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one? Let’s explore the key factors and top platforms to help you get started.
What Makes a Scholarship Website the Best?
When searching for the best website to find scholarships, you want a platform that’s reliable, easy to use, and packed with opportunities. Here are the key factors I consider when evaluating these websites:
- Comprehensive Database: A great scholarship website should offer a wide range of scholarships, from national awards to niche, local opportunities.
- User-Friendly Interface: The site should be easy to navigate, with clear filters to narrow down scholarships based on your profile, like your major, location, or GPA.
- Reliability: Listings should be up-to-date and legitimate, saving you from chasing expired or questionable scholarships.
- Unique Features: Tools like personalized matching, application tracking, or deadline reminders can make the process smoother.
- Cost: Most top websites are free, but some offer premium features for a fee. You’ll want to weigh the benefits against any costs.
With these criteria in mind, let’s dive into some of the best websites to find scholarships, based on their reputation and features.
Top Scholarship Websites
Here are five standout platforms that consistently rank among the best for finding scholarships. Each offers unique strengths, so you can choose the one that aligns with your goals.
1. Going Merry
Going Merry (Going Merry) is a favorite for its simplicity and efficiency. It’s designed to streamline the scholarship application process, letting you apply to multiple scholarships with a single form. It also includes local awards, which are often less competitive.
- Key Features:
- Over 70,000 scholarships
- $900 million in total award money
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Free to use, no ads
- Why I Love It: The ability to apply to multiple scholarships at once saves you time, and the weekly alerts about new opportunities keep you on track. It’s perfect if you want a hassle-free experience.
2. Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com (Scholarships.com) is a powerhouse with one of the largest scholarship databases available. It matches you to scholarships based on your profile, which you can customize with details like your GPA, ethnicity, or interests.
- Key Features:
- Over 3.7 million scholarships
- $19 billion in total award money
- Mobile app for iOS
- Free to use, though it includes ads
- Why I Love It: The sheer volume of scholarships means you’re likely to find something that fits, and the detailed filters make it easy to narrow down your options.
3. Fastweb
Fastweb (Fastweb) is a veteran in the scholarship search game, trusted by students for over 20 years. It offers a robust database and additional resources like college planning tools.
- Key Features:
- Over 1.5 million scholarships
- $3.4 billion in total award money
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Free to use, with ads
- Why I Love It: Fastweb’s notification system alerts you to new scholarships that match your profile, and its long-standing reputation adds a layer of trust.
4. College Board’s BigFuture
BigFuture (BigFuture), run by the College Board, combines scholarship searching with college planning. It’s a one-stop shop for students exploring both scholarships and colleges.
- Key Features:
- Over 24,000 scholarships
- More than $1.5 billion in total award money
- Free to use, no ads
- Integrated with college planning tools
- Why I Love It: If you’re also researching colleges, BigFuture’s seamless integration makes it a great choice. Its autofill and auto-match features simplify the search process.
5. Bold.org
Bold.org (Bold.org) is a newer platform with a modern, clean interface. It emphasizes inclusivity and offers unique scholarships, including no-essay options.
- Key Features:
- Filters by education level, category, amount, and deadline
- No-essay scholarships available
- Free to use, no ads
- Why I Love It: The no-essay scholarships are a big draw for students short on time, and the ad-free experience keeps things distraction-free.
Comparison of Features
To help you decide which website is the best fit, here’s a comparison of their key features:
| Website | Scholarships Available | Award Money Total | Mobile App | Signup Cost | Advertisements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Going Merry | 70,000+ | $900M | Yes | Free | No |
| Scholarships.com | 3.7M+ | $19B | Yes (iOS) | Free | Yes |
| Fastweb | 1.5M+ | $3.4B | Yes | Free | Yes |
| BigFuture | 24,000+ | $1.5B+ | No | Free | No |
| Bold.org | Unknown | Unknown | No | Free | No |
How to Choose the Right Website for You
Picking the best website to find scholarships depends on what matters most to you. Here are some tips to guide your decision:
- If you want the most options: Scholarships.com or Fastweb are your go-to, with millions of scholarships in their databases.
- If ease of use is key: Going Merry or Bold.org offer intuitive interfaces and time-saving features like no-essay scholarships.
- If you’re planning your college journey: BigFuture integrates scholarship searches with college research, making it a great all-in-one tool.
- If you hate ads: Stick with Going Merry, BigFuture, or Bold.org for an ad-free experience.
- If mobile access matters: Check for mobile apps available on Going Merry, Scholarships.com, and Fastweb.
I recommend trying a couple of these platforms to see which one feels right. You can even use multiple websites to maximize your chances of finding the perfect scholarship.
FAQs
Q: Are these scholarship websites free to use?
A: Most of the websites listed, like Going Merry, Scholarships.com, Fastweb, BigFuture, and Bold.org, are free. Some platforms, like ScholarshipOwl, charge for premium features, but the core search functions are typically free.
Q: Can I find scholarships for specific fields of study?
A: Yes! Most of these websites let you filter scholarships by major, interests, or other criteria. For example, Scholarships.com allows filtering by field of study, GPA, and more.
Q: How often are scholarship listings updated?
A: Reputable websites like Going Merry and Scholarships.com update their databases regularly, often daily, to ensure listings are current. Always verify deadlines directly with the scholarship provider.
Q: Can international students use these websites?
A: Many scholarships are for U.S. citizens or residents, but some platforms, like Peterson’s, include options for international students studying in the U.S. Check eligibility criteria carefully.
Q: How many scholarships should I apply for?
A: Apply to as many as you qualify for! The more applications you submit, the better your chances. Even if you don’t win every time, the practice can improve your future applications.
Conclusion
Finding the best website to find scholarships is about matching your needs with the right platform. Whether it’s the massive database of Scholarships.com, the streamlined applications of Going Merry, or the integrated tools of BigFuture, there’s a website out there to help you fund your education.
My advice? Start exploring these platforms today, create a profile, and apply to as many scholarships as you can. With a little effort, you could unlock opportunities that make your college dreams a reality.
de recent articles that compare and review top scholarship platforms, as well as direct links to some of the most reputable scholarship search websites. The citations are selected to provide reliable and up-to-date information to help you find scholarships that suit your needs.