Every year, millions of dollars in local scholarships go unclaimed. One of the biggest reasons? Most students don’t actually know where to look! Sure, plenty of students have heard of the big-name national scholarships; but we also know those mega-watt opportunities attract tens of thousands of competitive applicants. There can only be a few lucky winners, even in a pool that large.
Local scholarships, on the other hand, often fly under the radar. But with fewer applicants due to geographic or demographic restrictions on eligibility, your individual odds of winning these smaller scholarships are significantly higher. That means less work for you. Not to mention, financial aid is a bit like collecting power-ups in a video game: the real magic starts to happen when you can stack multiple types of awards together. Even bonuses as small as $500 to $1,000 can add up quickly to help alleviate costs.
If you’ve been hearing advice from well-meaning adults forever to “find local scholarships near you,” but don’t know how exactly to get going… this one is for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started on your search for local college scholarships.
Start with your high school or college
Whether you’re applying to college or already enrolled, your search for local scholarships should start close to home — literally. Both high school and university administration offices often maintain lists of scholarships specifically designed to help students residing in the nearby communities. So get out there.
Why school-based scholarships are a great “first step”
- Higher odds of winning: Many students overlook these awards because they assume someone else will apply. In reality, some school-specific scholarships receive only a handful of applications. Go for it!
- Simple requirements: School-based awards often have straightforward applications and short deadlines, making them manageable alongside your college applications and your other homework.
Where to look:
- Your guidance counselor’s office: Ask for a list of active scholarships and deadlines. Many schools keep a running bulletin or even an online database.
- School bulletin boards: Scholarships from local civic groups and alumni associations are often posted in common areas.
- Clubs and departments: Honors societies, sports booster clubs, and academic departments sometimes sponsor their own awards. You may even ask teachers or club advisors for lesser-known awards.
Most importantly — don’t wait. Start asking about these opportunities early in the school year. Waiting until spring means you might miss deadlines.
Curious to hear from a parent’s perspective? This “scholarship mom” offers her advice on applying for local scholarships at your high school (and why you should):
Tap into local aid foundations and organizations
Once you’ve reviewed what’s available at your school, it’s time to expand your search to the broader community. Many local organizations offer scholarships targeted to residents or students pursuing certain niche fields of study.
Let’s review the main types of organizations that you may find offering local scholarships: community foundations, local businesses and associations, and civic groups or clubs.
Community foundations
Community foundations are nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting residents in a specific area. They often manage multiple scholarship funds for local students.
How to find them:
- Search “community foundation scholarships + [your city or county]” in Google.
- Ask your school counselor if there’s a local foundation directory.
Local businesses and associations
Many businesses and professional associations invest in their communities by sponsoring scholarships. These awards often focus on students pursuing careers in industries relevant to the sponsor’s work.
Examples might include local banks or credit unions, health care providers or hospitals, or engineering or technology companies. Some Chambers of Commerce even offer scholarship programs for students pursuing business degrees.
How to find them:
- Visit your Chamber of Commerce website to see if they have a scholarship list.
- Search for professional associations in your field of interest (e.g., “nursing scholarships + [city name]”).
Civic groups and clubs
Civic organizations are known for supporting local students. Groups like Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Elks Lodge, and Daughters of the American Revolution frequently sponsor scholarships for local residents.
Where to look:
- Visit their websites or social media pages.
- Call or email the local chapter to ask about opportunities and deadlines.
Here’s another counselor’s basics on where and how to look for local scholarships in your area, broken down by types of organizations:
Check community centers and libraries
Scholarship opportunities don’t always make it online. Sometimes, old-fashioned bulletin boards are still the best source for local funding leads. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
Why libraries and community centers can still work
- Locals-only awards: Some small nonprofits and community groups only promote their scholarships through physical postings. This guarantees a self-selecting pool of applicants.
- Updated listings: Libraries often refresh their boards regularly, particularly during peak scholarship season (spring).
- One-on-one help: Librarians or community center staff may know about additional programs or grant resources in your area.
What to look for:
- Notices for scholarships from churches, nonprofits, or community service organizations
- Flyers from local parent-teacher associations
- Announcements about essay contests or small awards for community service projects
Don’t underestimate these sources. Many students focus only on online searches and miss what’s in their own neighborhood.
Leverage social media for scholarship leads
Social media is an underused but powerful way to find local scholarships. Many community organizations have shifted from physical flyers to online announcements, and if you know where to look, you can discover opportunities in real time.
Where to search:
- Facebook: Look for groups focused on scholarships in your city or county. Join community pages or neighborhood groups where local nonprofits post announcements.
- Instagram: Use hashtags like #LocalScholarships, #[CityName]Scholarships, or #ScholarshipOpportunities.
- LinkedIn: Follow local nonprofits, civic organizations, and community leaders who may post scholarship updates.
Once you find relevant organizations, follow them and turn on notifications. Many scholarships have short application windows, so early awareness can make a difference.
Use scholarship websites with location filters
If you want to cast a wider net while still focusing on local awards, scholarship search websites can help. Many platforms allow you to filter results by location, narrowing down to awards in your city, county, or state.
For the insider scoop, create accounts and opt in for email notifications or app alerts. That way, you won’t have to repeatedly check each site for new opportunities.
Recommended platforms:
- Fastweb: Offers customizable profiles and geographic filters.
- Appily, formerly known as Cappex: Known for a user-friendly interface and local scholarship options.
- Big Future: College Board’s scholarship site includes a robust location-based search function.
Looking for more? Check out our blog for a full list of great scholarship websites in 2025.
And remember, you should never pay to apply for a scholarship. Legitimate opportunities will never require an application fee or ask for sensitive personal information like your Social Security number up front.
When to start searching
The best time to start your scholarship search is now. Many local scholarships have deadlines well before college acceptance letters arrive. Starting early gives you enough time to gather recommendation letters, write essays, and meet all requirements.
If you don’t have that much time, here’s a good rule of thumb: Begin your search at least one year before you plan to start college, and check for new opportunities at least once per month.
Unsure if you’re on track for your grade year? We can help with that, too! Check out our free downloadable checklists for each year of high school to ensure you don’t miss any major steps in your journey towards your best future.
- 2025 Student Checklist: Freshman (9th Grade) Edition
- 2025 Student Checklist: Sophomore (10th Grade) Edition
- 2025 Student Checklist: Junior (11th Grade) Edition
- 2025 Student Checklist: Senior (12th Grade) Edition
Other tips to win more scholarships:
- You can reuse your best essay, but personalize it each time.
- Highlight your local impact.
- Ask early for recommendation letters.
- Follow instructions exactly.
- Stay organized.
Local scholarships FAQ:
Are local scholarships renewable?
Some are one-time awards, while others are renewable for multiple years if you meet certain academic or community involvement criteria. Always check the terms of each scholarship.
Can you stack local scholarships with other aid?
In most cases, yes. Local scholarships can often be combined with state, federal, and other private aid. However, always inform your college financial aid office so they can adjust your package if needed.
Do small scholarships make a difference?
Absolutely. Winning multiple smaller scholarships can reduce your out-of-pocket costs significantly, sometimes covering books, housing, or even tuition for a semester.
Your bottom line…
Local scholarships are one of the most overlooked funding sources, yet they can make a big difference in your financial aid package. From school-specific awards to civic club grants and community foundation scholarships, opportunities are everywhere — you just have to know where to look.
And now you do! Start at your school. Explore local businesses and civic groups. Check bulletin boards and library postings. Use social media to stay on top of local announcements. And finally, leverage scholarship websites to catch every opportunity you qualify for.
The sooner you start, the more opportunities you’ll find. Don’t wait until deadlines pass to take control of your financial future.
Quick-start checklist: start this week
If you’re just getting started, aim to accomplish these 5 things this week:
- Ask your school counselor for their list of local scholarships
- Check your school’s website, bulletin boards, and club pages
- Search “community foundation scholarships + [your city/county]”
- Follow 3 local civic organizations on social media (like Instagram or Facebook)
- Create a scholarship tracker and record 3 deadlines on your chart
Want to get even more bang for your buck?
Need help building a personalized scholarship strategy? Empowerly can guide you through every step of the process — from identifying local scholarships to creating winning applications. Book a consultation with Empowerly today and start unlocking local scholarship opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
