I’m losing motivation to keep applying for scholarships, especially after my college tuition just increased again. I’d love to hear some success stories to stay motivated.
I’ve won $20,000 in private scholarships, mostly by applying for smaller, less competitive ones. I actually made a list of low-competition scholarships that helped me a lot.
Yes! I won a national scholarship (Jack Kent Cooke) plus a few others for my college and identity-based ones. If anyone needs help, feel free to DM me—I offer affordable application guidance.
I won two scholarships totaling $12,000. I didn’t even find them through my own research—programs I was part of partnered with organizations and shared opportunities with us.
If I can give any advice, it’s to join programs and community initiatives. They often have scholarship databases or connections with local and government agencies that offer funding.
@Soren
What kind of programs do you mean?
Linden said:
@Soren
What kind of programs do you mean?
Things like college prep programs, community service groups, or leadership programs. The kind of stuff parents sign their kids up for after school. They often have scholarships linked to them or can point you in the right direction.
@Soren
That’s really helpful! Do you know any websites where I can find programs like that?
Linden said:
@Soren
That’s really helpful! Do you know any websites where I can find programs like that?
It depends on where you live. Try Googling ‘[your interest] + program near me’ or ‘[your city] scholarship programs.’ You’d be surprised how many options exist.
I applied to over 40 external scholarships and won 2 totaling $22,000. Both were through my parents’ workplaces, which had way less competition than national scholarships. Definitely check if your family’s employers offer anything!
I applied for 6 scholarships and won 3, totaling $28,500—and they’re renewable!
I’m a graduate student in STEM and an international student at a U.S. school. I sign up for a ton of scholarship websites and get daily emails. If I qualify for something and the amount is worth it, I apply.
I usually go for scholarships that require essays and multiple steps since those have fewer applicants.
@Noel
Can I ask which scholarships you won?
Two were local scholarships (one from the government, one from a hospital), and the other was the AAUW scholarship.
@Noel
Which scholarship websites do you use?
Fastweb.com and OpportunityDesk.org are my favorites. Fastweb sends daily emails, and OpportunityDesk does monthly roundups of scholarships, fellowships, and internships.
I used to be on Bold.org but unsubscribed because it was too inconsistent. Also signed up for IEFA.org and Secure My Scholarship, though the latter only works with certain universities.
@Noel
Did you actually win any from these sites?
I applied to 50 scholarships and won 7. The key is persistence—the more you apply to, the better your chances!
I applied to 6 scholarships and only won 1, but it’s a big one—$10,000 per year, renewable until I graduate. It made a huge difference. Keep going!
Quinlan said:
I applied to 6 scholarships and only won 1, but it’s a big one—$10,000 per year, renewable until I graduate. It made a huge difference. Keep going!
Would you mind sharing which scholarship it was?
@Ray
Sure! It’s the Essential Visionaries Scholarship, but it’s only for nursing, psychology, education, and social work majors.
I applied for the Horatio Alger Scholarship not expecting much and ended up winning my state’s award—only 13 people got it. Keep applying!