More Sources of Student Aid

The U.S. Department of Education is the main source of financial aid for college, but it isn’t the only source.

• Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/othersources to find out about education funding available from other federal agencies.
• Click here to find out about money available from state governments.
• Visit a college’s Web site or ask its financial aid office about money the school offers its students.
• Read the rest of this page to learn where to look for scholarships from sources other than those listed above.

Finding Scholarships

Everyone wants free money to help them attend college. There are many types of scholarships (they don’t all require that you have outstanding grades!), and they are provided by many different organizations. Each scholarship provider has its own application and its own rules to decide who can get its scholarship. Your job is to find scholarships for which you think you might qualify, and apply by the deadlines.

And remember: There is no “secret” scholarship money out there. You don’t need to pay a consultant or join a society just because they say they can help you find scholarships. You can find them yourself and save some money. Free sources of information include:

• the U.S. Department of Education’s FREE online scholarship search at www.studentaid.ed.gov/scholarship



• a high school, Upward Bound, or Talent Search counselor



• your library’s reference section



• foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups



• organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest



• ethnicity-based organizations



• your employer or your parents’ (parent's) employers (employer)