Earning a college degree in the United States can be expensive. The average cost of college is now $35,331 per year. Student loan debt has hit an all-time high of $1.59 trillion in January 2022, with borrowers graduating with an average debt of $28,950.

While college is still worth the investment, you should do what you can to maximize your financial aid so you graduate with less debt.

Scholarships are a great way to pay for college so it’s in your interest to get as much as you can to help pay for college.

“Treat the scholarship search like a job,” advises Cathy Mueller, the executive director of Mapping Your Future. “If you spend 10 hours applying and searching for scholarships and you win only one $1,000 scholarship, that’s like earning $100 an hour. Certainly, applying for scholarships is time well spent.”

Luckily, there are hundreds of scholarships for college students.

Here are some of the best scholarships to help you pay for college.

CFP Board Center for Financial Planning Fall 2024 Scholarships

CFP Board is currently accepting applications for its fall 2024 scholarship programs.

The Center will award a total of $349,500 to support over 60 awardees pursuing the educational coursework required to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ^® professional. 

The eligibility requirements for the 12 scholarship programs vary.

Application Deadline: October 7, 2024

Award: Up to $10,000

Eligibility: Varies

Click here to apply for the CFP Board fall 2024 scholarships.

Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship

Jacoby & Meyers, a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for its Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship.

The company will award $5,000 to the winner.

To apply, those interested must write an essay of 350-500 words on how their Hispanic background influenced their goals for higher education and submit an unofficial copy of their transcript.  

Application Deadline: October 15, 2024

Award: $5,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be high school seniors or first- and second-year college/trade school students
• Must be of Latinx descent
• Must reside in California
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must be actively involved in community service activities within the Latinx community 

Click here to apply for the Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship.

The Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship

BRPH is accepting applications for its Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship.

The company will award one $5,000 scholarship. 

To apply, students must write an essay of 500 words or more on this prompt: Explain what attracted you to pursue a civil engineering degree with a specialization in structural. Explain its significance to you and how you see yourself in the future as an engineer.

Application Deadline: October 15, 2024

Award: $5,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the 2024-25 academic year
• Must be enrolled in a civil engineering program with a concentration in structural engineering
• Must reside in the United States
• Must be at least 18 years of age

Click here to apply for the Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship.

Good Life’s Community Scholarship Orange County

Good LIfe Property Management is currently accepting applications for its Good Life’s Community Scholarship Orange County.

The company will award $2,500 to the winner.

To apply, students must write an essay of at least 350 words on any one of five given prompts, all of which are centered around their community. Students can write about what community means to them, the lessons they’ve learned from being part of a community, how their community helped them overcome a challenge, how they discovered community through a team or part-time job they were involved with, or how they have contributed to a community through volunteerism.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Award: $2,500

Eligibility: 

• Must be a high school senior or high school graduate who will be enrolled, or a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled, full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university for the 2025-26 academic year
• Must reside in the United States

Click here to apply for Good Life’s Community Scholarship Orange County.

The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there for college students.

Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you.

To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for. 

When to apply for scholarships 

Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.  

So, you should start the search process early and look for scholarships throughout the year. That way, if you find an award that appeals to you, you’ll be ahead of the game. 

And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship. 

How to apply for scholarships

Each scholarship has its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely. 

Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.

Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness. 

And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application. 

For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.

How to find scholarships

Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.

There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more. 

So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?

Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students. 

You should also check with your college to see if they have a list of scholarships. Your guidance counselor may have the list or point you to someone who can help you. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.

Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees. 

And if you work while in college, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship. 

For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.

How to get scholarships

Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students. 

So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?

First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.

Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that? 

You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps. 

“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”

A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it. 

If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.

To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most. 

Are scholarships taxable?

Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws. 

Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses. 

Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment. 

If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective or current college or university. 

Featured Scholarships

Good Life’s Community Scholarship Orange County

Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship

Space Coast MIT Scholarship

Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship