Scholarships are free money that you can use to pay for college! Winning scholarships will allow you to fund your education without taking on massive amounts of student debt. There are scholarships for every type of student and many generous merit scholarships at particular colleges and universities.

The main types of scholarships that you should be focusing on are:

1) Private Scholarships
2) College-specific merit scholarships
3) Need-based scholarships

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are offered by companies, foundations, and other organizations and can be based on a variety of criteria. Some scholarships will require extensive essays, while others are easy scholarships that can be applied for quickly.

College-specific merit scholarships

Individual colleges and universities offer merit scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships can range from a few thousand dollars a year and go up to full tuition, room, board, and more! There are even colleges that will award merit scholarships to B students!

Need-based scholarships

Need-based scholarships help support students with demonstrated financial need. Students can be awarded need-based aid from individual colleges, state governments, the federal government, and private organizations! Students who are interested in need-based financial aid should always complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA to qualify for college, state, and federal aid.