What are you going to do with all your extra time?
You know, all those hours you’re going to save by doing your scholarship search online — and early.
That’s right. When it comes to paying for college, waiting until the last minute can mean missing out on free money. But getting ahead of the game with the help of technology? That’s a whole other level. That could be the difference between being saddled with student loans and earning a debt-free degree.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the scholarship search process, break it down by semester, and spotlight the best scholarship websites to help you find the right awards for your budget. By the end of this, you’ll be ready to dive into your online scholarship search and start your path towards an affordable education with confidence!
Why scholarship searches matter in 2025
We hardly need to tell you that every dollar counts, and recent economic uncertainty has only underscored this point. When it comes to education, it literally pays to plan ahead. As college costs continue to rise and financial aid formulas evolve, scholarships remain one of the most direct ways to reduce student debt.
Don’t believe me? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 87% of first-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid — and the number of available scholarships is growing each year.
Unfortunately, millions in scholarships still go unclaimed simply because eligible students don’t know about them. That’s where scholarship websites come in: these platforms simplify your search, match you with relevant opportunities, and keep you organized.
So let’s claim some! Whether you’re a high school junior, senior, or even a college student already, starting your scholarship journey sooner rather than later is the smartest move you can make.
What goes into a scholarship application?
Before we dive into our list of recommended scholarship websites, let’s take a quick look at what steps and key materials a scholarship application typically requires. It’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into.
The scholarship application process usually requires:
- Finding (open) contests you’re eligible for: Every scholarship has eligibility criteria. Some are need-based, others are merit-based, and some are geared toward specific majors, demographics, or locations. Make sure the contest is still open and accepting submissions.
- Filling out online forms with your personal or demographic info: Most applications ask for basic personal and academic details related to the scholarship. While it’s not the hardest part of the application, you do have to make sure it’s done accurately and completely.
- Writing supplements and/or essays: Be prepared to write personal statements or answer short-answer prompts, much like your college application essays. To get the best results, give yourself time to write multiple drafts, revise your writing, and make sure each response is tailored to the organization you’re applying to.
- Obtaining letters of recommendation: Academic or community endorsements are often required. Need help navigating who to ask, and how? Check out Empowerly’s Guide to Letters of Recommendation for help landing awesome letters that capture your best qualities.
- Submitting academic transcript forms: Official or unofficial transcripts may be needed to prove GPA or course rigor. Sometimes you need to request these from your campus administration office, while other times you can just print off a copy of your most recent grades.
- Uploading supplemental materials and/or portfolio: For talent-based or creative scholarships, you may need to submit a portfolio or resume of your work. Be sure to follow any formatting guidelines to ensure your work can be viewed.
- Attending interview rounds: Some highly competitive scholarships include a finalist interview round. Be prepared to complete one or more interviews with the scholarship committee if the scholarship website indicates it will be part of the screening process.
Of course, different contests have different rules and requirements that can vary as widely as the scholarships themselves. When in doubt, it’s best practice to carefully read and follow the instructions on each application. If you still have questions, you can reach out to the scholarship organizers for clarification. (Another reason not to leave things to the last minute!)
In the end, understanding the broad strokes of these common components will help you stay prepared and work more efficiently — which, let’s face it, is key when you’re juggling multiple deadlines and dates in your mind.
Timeline: when to search for scholarships (semester breakdown)
Here’s a suggested scholarship search timeline that aligns with your high school semester system.
Freshman and sophomore years (9th and 10th grade)
- Begin browsing general scholarship websites to understand early opportunities and what details qualify you for awards. Reading articles like this one is a great way to dip your toe into the world of scholarships and financial aid.
- Participate (and invest sincere effort) in extracurricular activities, group and individual competitions, and community service.
- Start compiling your student resume and activities list. Include any recognitions or honors you receive, and keep note of potential recommenders.
Junior year (11th grade)
- Fall: Identify large national scholarships and note their deadlines on your calendar.
- Winter: Start drafting personal statements and essays.
- Spring: Request letters of recommendation from trusted mentors (if required).
Senior year (12th grade)
- Fall: Submit applications for early-deadline and rolling scholarships.
- Winter: Finalize and submit major scholarship applications.
- Spring: Continue to seek out local scholarships, school-specific awards, and niche contests. Keep checking your email for notifications and decisions.
Best scholarship websites in 2025
These days, most people immediately turn to Google when faced with questions or a need for fast answers. However, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet — and anyone who’s spent time online knows that anything promising “free money” carries a chance of turning out to be a scam. So, how do you know whom to trust?
Watch out for these red flags:
- Asking for application fees
- Requiring credit card or banking information
- Making guarantees of winning
- Pushing you to “act fast” with high-pressure language
Here are a few more tips on how to optimize your scholarship search and application process:
Alternatively, you can just skip wasting your time with questionable sources altogether and stick with vetted platforms we’ve listed below. That’s right; we’ve got you covered. We’re not sponsored by any of these sites; this article is based on user research and feedback from students.
Ready for the inside scoop? In no particular order, here are the top scholarship websites in 2025 — your go-to resources for organized, efficient, and updated information.
BigFuture by CollegeBoard
BigFuture remains one of the most trusted scholarship websites in 2025, especially for students already using it for SAT prep or college exploration. With over 23,000 scholarships and filtering tools based on personal background, academic interests, and more, it’s a solid starting point.
Features:
- Scholarship data linked to college admissions
- Custom search filters
- Regularly updated opportunities
US News Scholarship Finder
Known for its college rankings, US News also maintains a robust and searchable scholarship finder. Its clean interface and integration with college profiles make it pretty easy to discover school-specific and national scholarships.
Features:
- Scholarship data linked to college admissions
- Custom search filters
- Regularly updated opportunities
Appily (formerly Cappex)
Appily is a student-focused platform that recommends scholarships and colleges based on your profile details. It’s especially useful for underclassmen building their first college list and looking for beginner-friendly awards.
Features:
- Personalized scholarship matches
- College comparison tools
- Student reviews and planning guides
Unigo
Unigo stands out for its quirky, creative scholarships and its huge database of awards. Students looking for something offbeat or less competitive may find great options here.
Features:
- Unusual and fun scholarship prompts
- Category-based filters (by major, state, GPA, etc.)
- User-friendly dashboard
Fastweb
Fastweb is another classic in the scholarship search world, and for good reason. In 2025, it’s still one of the largest and most reliable databases, featuring over 1.5 million scholarships (worth billions of dollars) in funding.
Features:
- Daily scholarship match alerts
- An organized dashboard to track applications
- Internship and part-time job boards
Going Merry
Like Fastweb, Going Merry is another well-established, high-volume scholarship search site. With plenty of positive student reviews and a cute UI, it’s easy to see why it remains a perennial favorite.
Features:
- Match or filter by specialties
- High volume of listings
- Light-hearted and helpful tone
Scholarships.com
As one of the oldest scholarship search engines, Scholarships.com continues to be a staple. With frequent updates and a straightforward search interface, it’s particularly good for students planning to apply to a high volume of awards.
Features:
- Huge volume of listings
- Mobile-friendly platform
- Filters by award amount, deadline, and more
Peterson’s
While Peterson’s is primarily known for its test prep and admissions help, its scholarship tool is quietly powerful. With more advanced search criteria than many competitors, it’s a solid option for serious applicants targeting specific criteria.
Features:
- Advanced filters by academic field, ethnicity, military affiliation, etc.
- Grad school and adult learner opportunities
- Essay tips and prep tools
| Website | Best For | Notable Features |
| BigFuture | SAT users, college-linked awards | Custom filters, reliable database |
| US News Finder | School-specific searches | Clean UI, college profile integration |
| Appily | Underclassmen, first-time searchers | Matches based on profile, student reviews |
| Unigo | Creative or niche scholarships | Fun prompts, easy dashboard |
| Fastweb | High volume, serious searchers | Match alerts, job/internship board |
| Going Merry | Students who want to filter their results | Approachable UI and high volume of listings |
| Scholarships.com | Applying for many awards at once | Large database, mobile-friendly |
| Peterson’s | Grad students, adult learners | Advanced filters, test prep tools |
Looking for more? Keep browsing with these video recommendations:
Scholarship search FAQ
Q: When is the best time to start looking for scholarships?
A: It’s never too early; you can start in 9th grade! Some awards are open to underclassmen, and besides, starting early helps you build a stronger profile.
Q: Are scholarships only for top students?
A: Not at all! Many scholarships are need-based, community-based, or focused on unique interests and identities. You’ll never know what you qualify for if you don’t apply.
Q: Can I reuse my scholarship essays?
A: Sometimes, but always tweak them for the prompt you’re answering. Relevance and specificity matter.
Ready to win big? Empowerly can be your lucky charm!
Finding scholarships is stressful, high-stakes, and, at times, panic-inducing. Especially if you’re trying to balance it with school, applications, and everything else on your plate. That’s where Empowerly comes in.
Our expert counselors can make sure your effort goes where it counts. Together, you can…
- Build a strategic scholarship search plan
- Review and edit essays
- Identify exclusive and local scholarship opportunities with better odds
- Keep track of deadlines and your application progress
- Avoid costly mistakes
Don’t leave free money on the table. Book a free consultation with Empowerly today, and take the first step towards funding your future — without the financial stress.
