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Free* Scholarships for college
Scholarships are a smart way to help pay for your college education because they are considered FREE money.* Unlike student loans, you don’t have to repay your scholarships. You can use them for your college-related expenses. For example:
  • Tuition
  • Meal Plans
  • Fill in the gaps of institutional aid
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Student loans
  • And more
Scholarships are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. It’s important to note that higher education institutions do have outside (private) scholarship policies. For example, in cases where a student is receiving need-based aid and also receives an outside scholarship, institutions may eliminate some of the institutional aid they initially offered. So, make sure you contact your college’s financial aid office to see what their specific policies are and how best you can maximize your overall award.
“Raptor’s goal is to help students and families find great colleges they can afford. Scholarships and grants play an important role in filling the gaps of college cost. Our Scholarship Search Tool takes the frustration out of looking for awards. It saves students time, focuses on qualifying scholarships, and includes institutional, government, and private awards.”
William E. Staib President and CEO, Co-Founder
Types of Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are financial aid awarded to students based on financial need. To be eligible for needs-based scholarships, you are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Most of the time, you must be enrolled full-time and apply every academic year for this type of aid.

Merit Based Scholarships

Merit based scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved high honors in a certain area. That can include:

  • Academic accomplishments
  • Artistic Talents
  • Community Involvement
  • Athletic talent
  • More.

Eligibility for merit-based scholarships varies by organization and institution. You can also find scholarships based on:

  • Your favorite hobbies
  • Your family’s military status and,
  • Other community-based opportunities
Explore more college scholarship resources
Scholarship Raptor
How to apply for scholarships
Always apply for FAFSA first. Find scholarships that interest you and that you are eligible for and apply. Make note of the deadlines. Get your recommendation letters. Write your scholarship essay. Here are tips on writing the perfect scholarship essay. Submit your completed application on time and check your inbox for winner announcements.
*While a scholarship does not have to be repaid, there may be other obligations associated with the scholarship.
**No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The Citizens Scholarship Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C., and U.S. Territories, who are 16 years of age or older, are students, or prospective students, or parents or legal guardians of students intending to enroll or enrolled at least half-time in an accredited undergraduate/graduate post-secondary institution. To be eligible for a chance to win the Citizens Building the Workforce of the Future Scholarship entrants must be from an underrepresented or a low-income community as described in the Official Rules. Sweepstakes begins at 12:00 AM ET on 7/1/24 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on 3/31/25. Sponsored by Citizens. See Official Rules for details.

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