10 Frugal Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources You Should Know
Do you have school expenses on the brain? Don’t stress! There are a million ways to pay for school without totally busting the bank. Here are some great resources for getting all the financial support you need.
1. Grants for Students Who Need Financial Help
Free money for college that you don’t have to pay back! They’re typically awarded based on your family’s financial need.
- The Federal Pell Grant may award you several thousand of dollars if you demonstrate that you have financial need.
- Look up your state’s education department for local grants to learn about grants that are offered by your particular institution.
- You should contact what the school calls the financial aid office.
While most colleges also have special people who can help you apply for grants (which is super helpful if you are the first person in your family to go to college and you don’t even know how everything works), you’ll still need to fill out the FASFA ASAP, and long before you can fill out your college applications or go to an interview.
2. Merit-Based Scholarships
These rebates are like scholarships for being awesome, only better. You can earn them by making good grades, demonstrating leadership or participating in activities outside the classroom.
Merit scholarships consider you as a whole person, not just your grades. They’re a fantastic way to monetize your hustle for school! The College Essay Guy website has a helpful guide and a list of 25 great merit scholarships that you should explore!
3. Community Service Scholarships
Do you like helping others? If you give back to your community, you may be eligible for special scholarships!
These scholarships are perfect if you:
- Volunteer at local events
- Help clean up your community
- Mentor younger kids
- Work with non-profit organizations
Your acts of good will can give back in the form of education dollars! Find your local community foundations, which could have similar awards.
4. Work-Study Programs
Work-study allows you to work part-time and earn money while in school. These jobs usually:
- Are right on campus
- Work around your class schedule
- Give you real work experience
- Contribute to the cost of your education
The good part is that these jobs know school comes first and will help coordinate your shifts around your classes. You can learn more about work-study programs through Federal Student Aid.
5. Minority Scholarships
These scholarships give students from all backgrounds access to educational opportunities. Many groups offer scholarships for minority students, and sometimes money is earmarked for specific groups of students.
Some great resources include:
These organizations work hard to make sure everyone has a fair shot at college, no matter their background.
6. Scholarships for Women
There are tons of scholarships just for girls and women! These help more women get into all kinds of fields, especially ones where there aren’t as many women yet, like science and technology.
Many businesses and organizations would like to see more women in leadership positions, so they give money to help women go to college. Seek scholarships from women’s organizations in areas of study that appeal to you.
7. Federal Pell Grants
The Pell Grant, a need-based federal grant, is huge for so many students who need financial help. It’s free money from the government that you don’t have to repay!
To get a Pell Grant:
- Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Show that you have financial need
- Be an undergraduate student (usually)
How much you receive depends on your family’s financial situation and your school’s costs. This is one of the best scholarships and grants for college students to be familiar with!
8. State Grant Opportunities
Did you know your state probably has special grants just for residents? For example, the Cal Grant in California can award up to $12,570 for eligible students!
Each state has different programs with their own rules. These grants often give preference to students who:
- Have lived in the state for a certain amount of time
- Plan to attend college in that state
- Meet certain financial requirements
Check your state’s higher education website to learn more about what’s available where you live.
9. Professional Association Scholarships
If you know what career you want, look for scholarships from groups related to that job! These scholarships:
- Target Student Learners Who are Entering Certain Roles or Positions
- Frequently offer networking opportunities
- Sometimes offer internships
- Pair you with someone already working in your industry
Whether you want to be a nurse, engineer, teacher, or anything else, there’s probably a professional organization with scholarships for students like you.
10. Scholarships for Middle School Students
You don’t have to wait until high school to start earning scholarships! There are opportunities for younger students too. The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund offers 5% to 100% tuition coverage for eligible middle schoolers in California.
FinAid.org has a list of scholarships that can be won by elementary and middle school students. Starting early can help you build up your college fund before you even get to high school!
Don’t Forget About Affordable Colleges
Some colleges are known for offering a lot of financial aid. The Washington and Lee Promise has also been leading the charge to guarantee financial aid packages that include tuition or more for students coming from families that make $100,000 or less.
Just keep in mind the process of applying for scholarships and aid is a lot of work, but it is very worth it! Apply early, to as many opportunities as possible, and don’t give up. Your education is worth the effort!
