Looking for a college education without the college price tag? College scholarships can help with that. Did you know that over 1.7 million scholarships and fellowships are awarded each year? Thousands of students in the U.S. depend on scholarships for college every year to meet rising tuition and living costs.  

Luckily, there are tons of scholarships to choose from, even less competitive scholarships. The trick is knowing what's available to you and knowing where to find it. It's crazy to think that a few years ago, there was $2.9 billion in unused federal grant awards. Clearly, students either didn't care to apply or didn't know where to look! But still, in that same year (2015), 72% of students received some sort of financial aid, including grants and scholarships.

Read on to find out about all the different types of scholarships and how to find them on a college scholarships website.

Scholarships by Category

Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. Knowing and searching the types of scholarships that are out there will help you find scholarships designed just for you! Here are some of the most common types of scholarships.

Scholarships by Category

Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. Knowing and searching the types of scholarships that are out there will help you find scholarships designed just for you! Here are some of the most common types of scholarships.


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These scholarships are awarded to students who excel in sports. They may be given by the school itself or by outside groups. If you play a sport in high school, or hope to do so at the school of your dreams, check out these athletic scholarships to help you get there.
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Do you know what you want to study in college? There may be scholarships available just for your major. Students of all majors can find awards that are tailored for their college major.
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Many non profits, civic groups and companies set aside funds for scholarship programs. They do it to give back, support members and prep the future work force. Not to mention, help students avoid or keep down student loan debt!
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There are many scholarships that are open to students across the country. States often offer their own scholarships to residents, whether they are going to college in-state or out of state. Search though your state today!
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Several companies like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Coca Cola sponsor scholarships to help students pay for college each year. However, there may be huge competition for these awards as they may be offered by big name brands. But remember, you can’t win if you don’t apply!
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Contests and sweepstakes typically don’t require test scores or grades. These swards allow students to enter contests to win scholarship money. Contests and sweepstakes typically do not ask students to provide an essay to enter, and are awarded randomly.
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If you are a black student, there are many scholarships that may be available to you. Groups that offer these awards include the NAACP and the United Negro College Fund. Start your search below!
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Just because you’ve already started college doesn’t mean you should stop looking for scholarships. In fact, we suggest that you keep looking every year that you’re in school. This list of undergrad awards will help get you started. Browse and apply online today!
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Already have a undergrad degree? Keep going with these graduate Scholarships are not just for undergrad degrees. If you are a grad student there are also scholarships out there for you. That’s right, there are scholarships and financial aid available to help you pay for grad school. Take a look and start applying now!
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Scholarships for minority students are available! Minority groups include African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American students. Other minority groups may be based on gender or other traits that classify students as under-represented.
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A grant is a financial award given to a student. Grants may be awarded by government agencies, non profits and schools to fund research, education, community projects, and other types of initiatives. Like scholarships, they typically don’t need to be paid back.
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If you are in high school, now is the perfect time to begin your search for scholarships! There are hundreds of awards open to high school students, from freshmen up to seniors. Check out the scholarships perfect for you!
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Merit scholarships for honor students provide financial help to students who have done very well in school. There are many different ways to earn a merit based award, including from the government, private companies, or schools.
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If you are active duty or military veteran and are looking for scholarships, then you’ve come to the right place. There are many places that offer scholarships to veterans, both active duty and discharged.
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$1.19M

Many religious groups and colleges offer scholarships based on a student’s religious affiliation or spirituality. Also, there may be awards available to those who plan to pursue a major in religious studies. Start your search and browse these religious scholarships on Unigo.
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Many types of scholarships are available based on demographics. Just think, how do you identify yourself? What are your traits? Are you a first-generation college student? Do you have any diseases or disabilities? Is anyone in your family in the military? Each of these traits are part of your identity and many organizations offer awards to students just for possessing one or more special traits.
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$172.3K

Looking for something outside the box? There’s something out there for everyone — even when it comes to scholarship opportunities. Check out our list of some of the weirdest, oddest, and most unique awards to earn extra money for college.
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How Do I Apply for College Scholarships 2021?

Every U.S. student interested in applying for scholarships should first complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA helps qualify you for all forms of federal and state student aid. After that, you should apply directly to schools and organizations that offer scholarships. 

Do I Have to Repay My Scholarship?

Scholarships aren’t loans. That’s the beauty of scholarships — you don’t have to pay them back! But, there are some scenarios in which you might be forced to give back the money, including:

  • If you drop out of college;
  • If you withdraw from a specific program;
  • If you don’t spent the money on an agreed-upon purpose;
  • If you don’t maintain your GPA requirement; or
  • If you’re found guilty of any criminal activities. 

Learn more: Do you have to pay back Scholarships?

Conclusion

This year was difficult for many amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from that, college tuition has always been quite expensive, requiring many students to rely on scholarships. Luckily, there are countless scholarships for college available across the country, including less competitive scholarships. Check out college scholarships websites like the College Monk and our Scholarship Match tool, or individual college websites to learn more about specific scholarships.