How Do Outside Scholarships Affect My Financial Aid?
We encourage you to investigate all possibilities for financial assistance, such as scholarships from corporations and private organizations. If you receive outside scholarships in an amount that, when combined with your existing financial aid, exceeds your demonstrated financial need, your award may be revised to first reduce or remove federal work study, then to adjust loan amounts, and finally to reduce or remove need-based grants or scholarships. It is your responsibility to report any outside scholarships or resources you are receiving to Student Financial Services when accepting your financial aid award on the Financial Aid Dashboard.
Where Can I Search for and Apply to Outside Scholarship?
Below are resources to help students search for and apply to outside scholarships. This list is a good starting point but does not include all of the many resources available to students.
Consumer Affairs: Website with information about private student loans and financing education.
Education Portal: Website with information about careers and scholarships.
LendEDU: A guide for students seeking information on reliable Private Student Loan companies. The guide also outlines the process of how to apply for private student loans as well as cosigner, interest and repayment information.
Money Geek Scholarship Search: A scholarship search tool.
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: Resources on different topics, links to financial aid videos, tips and more.
Pickett & Hatcher Educational Fund, Inc.: Low-interest loans (2% in school and 6% repayment rate) for up to $12,000 per academic year. Loans also available for summer school. Available to undergraduate students attending a 4-year liberal arts college. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Student Loan Guidebooks: Helpful and clearly presented information regarding loans.
USA Scholarships: A scholarship list/search engine with scholarships of varying types and amounts.
Chamber of Commerce: A comprehensive guide for college scholarships. Includes resources and lists of specific scholarships.
College Board Scholarship Search: A scholarship search engine that helps find scholarships related to a specific degree program.
College Scholarships: A list of various scholarships specific to major, ethnicity, club, etc.
Fastweb: A national scholarship database to help simplify the search for relevant scholarships.
Finaid Scholarships: A database with various merit-based scholarships.
Going Merry: A scholarship search engine that links students with relevant scholarships.
Nursing Explorer: A scholarship search engine that has information on over 14,000 scholarships.
Sallie Mae Scholarship Search: Register to be matched with personalized scholarship opportunities.
Scholarship America: List of currently available outside scholarships.
Scholarships and Grants for Vocational students: A list of scholarships and resources, some limited to vocational or trade schools but many available for 4-year degree program attendees.
Student Scholarships: Scholarship listings with additional resources related to financial aid.
Student Scholarship Search: A helpful site for scholarship search information and scholarship listings.
Tuition Funding Sources: A database full of scholarships available to Undergraduate students.
Education Majors
Discover Early Childhood EDU: A wide list of various scholarships and resources for students pursuing careers in early childhood education. Requirements and deadlines vary.
STEM & Business Majors
Antibodies-Online Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students pursuing degrees in Life Sciences or related fields. Applicants must write a 250 word abstract on why they entered the field of Life Science and how they plan to use their degree to further advance the field along with a 150 word abstract on their favorite scientific discovery. Deadlines: July 20th and January 20th, annually.
Cali’s Choice Scholarship: A $5,000 scholarship awarded to students pursuing careers or are interested in game and mobile app development. Students must be pursuing a degree in computer science or computer engineering. Applicants must write a research paper on the following topic: “Explain the process educators use to integrate gaming into the classroom.” Deadline: May 15, annually.
Capital Auto Auction STEM Scholarship: A scholarship awarded to an Undergraduate student majoring in a STEM field of study (or related field). One applicant will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and two runners-up will receive a $250 scholarship. Deadline: August 15, annually.
Pixel Plex Scholarship: A $2,000 scholarship awarded to students studying in the field of science, technology, engineering, math, economics, and business. Applicants must write a minimum 1,200-word essay on one of the prompts provided. Deadlines: December 5 and June 5 annually.
Regeneration Center Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students of Southeast Asian descent who are currently studying science, biology, or medicine at the Undergraduate or Graduate level. Applicants must write a 500 to 1,000-word essay answering the prompt: "How will the Regen Center scholarship help you in your career goals?" Deadline: December 31, annually.
First Generation College Students
Education Accessibility Scholarship: Connecticut Trial Firm is proud to extend a scholarship to a deserving student who is the first in their immediate family to go to college. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a U.S. college student who produces the best essay to the writing prompt provided on the firm's website. Deadline: December 31, annually.
First Generation College Student Scholarship from Study.com: The First-Generation College Student Scholarship from Study.com is offering a $1,000 academic award to any first-generation student pursuing their undergraduate college degree. Deadline: May 1, annually.
IFSA First Generation Scholarship: A scholarship up to $2,500 intended for first-generation college students to help fund an IFSA study abroad program. Deadlines: March 1 and October 1, annually.
Illness or Disability
Scholarships for Students Affected by Cancer: Cancer patients and cancer survivors searching for scholarships. Requirements and deadlines vary.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities: Scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities. Requirements and deadlines vary.
Military
Veteran and Military Family Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to college students who are active-duty service members, veterans, or a spouse or child of an active duty or retired service member. Applicants must write a 500-1,000-word essay on one of the topics provided. Deadline: June 15, annually.
Transfer Students
Private Illinois Colleges & Universities Community College Transfer Scholarship: PICU is an organization dedicated to educating community college transfer students and counselors about the numerous benefits available at private colleges and universities. PICU awards three $1000 and four $500 awards to community college transfer students looking to transfer into a PICU member institution (Wheaton is a PICU school). Deadline: June 1, annually.
Activities & Skills
CFF Foundation Education Scholarship: The Cocodrie Fly Fishing (CFF) Foundation is offering a $1,500 scholarship to students who write compelling essays on fishing, the outdoors and adventure activities. Deadlines: March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 31, annually.
The Cover Guy Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students for assistance with their educational expenses. The Cover Guy is a quality supplier of hot tub covers in North America. Applicants must write a 500 to 1,000-word essay on their experience with hot tubs, backyard experiences, how hot tubs improve life, etc. Deadline: July 31, annually.
Pickleball Pad Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students to assist with their educational expenses. Applicants must write a minimum 1,200-word essay in response to the prompt provided each year. Deadline: October 10, annually.
Public Interest
ABC Fundraising Scholarship: A $1,500 scholarship awarded to students who have experience in volunteer or fundraising work. Applicants must complete a Volunteer Verification Form (provided via link) as well as craft an 800 to 1,000-word essay reflecting on their volunteering/fundraising experience, how it's shaped them as a person, and how they plan to continue their work in the future. Essays can include photos, charts or infographics where appropriate. Deadline: June 30, annually.
Community Service Scholarships: Scholarship opportunities for students passionate about and involved in volunteering or community service. Requirements and deadlines vary.
Florin Roebig Scholarship: A scholarship opportunity awarding up to $750 for a first-place submission, $500 for second place and $250 for third place to assist with student's educational expenses. Applicants will write a 1,200-word essay responding to the provided prompt. Deadline: May 1, annually.
Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded bi-annually to students who write a 750 to 1,000-word essay responding to the following question: “How has social media helped advance the cause of civil rights in America?” Deadlines: June 1 and December 1, annually.
LA Tutors Innovation in Education Scholarship: A $500 scholarship awarded monthly to a student to assist with their educational expenses. Applicants must submit a short essay on an innovative project they designed to make a difference in the lives of others (this could be a website, blog, app, fundraising event, etc.) Deadline: the 20th of each month.
Mattress Nerd's Sustainability Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students interested in sustainability to assist with their educational expenses. Applicants must write one 500 to 1,000-word essay responding to the three prompts listed. Deadline: April 1, annually.
Vocation
American Psychological Association: Various scholarships and grants for advancing the science and practice of psychology. Requirements and deadlines vary.
Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students in memory of PCB Solutions employee, Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom. Applicants must write a short essay on the following topic: "Discuss your vision of electronic design, engineering and manufacturing in the global economy". Applicants must then create a short bio video describing themselves, their history and why education is important to them. Deadline: August 1 and December 1, annually.
Lawn Starter Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to a student who submits an essay between 500 and 700 words on the following prompt: "What makes you passionate about building a business?" Deadlines: August 20 and December 31, annually.
Pretty Photoshop Actions Scholarship: A $500 scholarship awarded to a student who follows the following instructions: Carefully research and compose an essay style Adobe Photoshop tutorial of 800 to 1,000 words, with screenshots and photos included to illustrate your points on one of the given topics. Deadline: October 15, annually.
Prime Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to five students who intend on pursuing a career in nursing. Deadline: July 31 and December 15, annually.
Miscellaneous
Colleges That Change Lives: CTCL Scholarships of $1,000/year (renewable for up to four years) will be awarded to 3 students who will be attending a CTCL-member college or university. Requirements and deadlines vary.
RCA Hope for Addiction Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students to assist with their educational expenses. Applicants must write an essay in 750 to 1,000 words on the topic provided. Deadline: February 28, annually.
Storage Area Scholarship: A $1,000 scholarship awarded to students to assist with their educational expenses. Applicants must write an 800 to 1,500-word essay on one of the topics provided on the website. Deadline: September 1, annually.
Varsity Tutors Scholarship Contest: A $200 scholarship awarded monthly to a student who writes an essay responding to the current prompt. Deadline: Ongoing monthly.
International Financial Aid and Scholarship Search: A search engine that finds scholarships specific to your school, state, and degree program. Requirements and deadlines vary.
International Scholarships: An online database of scholarships for graduates and undergraduates; specific to location and degree program. Requirements and deadlines vary.
Mobility International USA: An online source featuring scholarships and information on how to raise money for education, specific to exchange students looking to study in the U.S. Requirements and deadlines vary.
BUTEX North American Scholarships: Eight $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year to currently registered students at US universities who will study abroad at a BUTEX member institution in the UK. Requirements and deadlines vary.
Rotary Foundation Scholarships: The Ambassadorial Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program. Requirements and deadlines vary.