Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are scholarships?
Scholarships are sums of money, offered by individuals or organizations, that are awarded to college or high school students to help with educational expenses. Scholarships differ from loans in that they do not have to be paid back. Since scholarships are “free money” to be used to offset your educational bill, there is a selection process to determine recipients of the funds. There are literally thousands of scholarships available. Some are easier to apply for than others. The trick is to know which ones to apply for and what each organization looks for in determining recipients.

Q: What are scholarships used for?
The use of scholarships differs with each scholarship offered. Some can be used for any educational expense while others are reserved solely for tuition and fees. The vast majority of scholarships will be applied toward tuition and fees and will not be returned to the student. Many times, students use scholarship dollars to offset their loan balances.

Q: Is every student eligible to apply for scholarships?
The vast majority of students are eligible to apply for some type of aid. However, receiving a scholarship takes hard work, dedication and perseverance—just like obtaining your degree. Since the majority of scholarships are offered as a competitive process, applying for scholarships can be difficult to manage. The scholarship links provided will be helpful in your pursuit of funding.