Hey everyone, I’m currently applying for scholarships to fund my college education, but I’m having a tough time sorting through all the options. A lot of platforms show scholarships that don’t seem relevant to my profile, and it’s becoming overwhelming and time-consuming.
I’ve heard there are tools or apps that use AI to match you with better scholarships based on your information. Has anyone used these? Are they legit, and do they actually help save time?
Hi! I personally got a scholarship through Scholarship 360, which helped me find one in my state. Definitely look for local opportunities. If you belong to a specific ethnicity, that can help too (for example, I’m Albanian, and AANO awarded me a scholarship, which I can reapply for in future years). Also, consider looking for niche or talent-based scholarships. Scholarships with essays are usually better than those without, since fewer people apply due to the extra work, giving you a chance to stand out.
Look for local, less popular scholarships to apply for. You can try Bold.org, but honestly, your chances are slim, and it can feel pointless. Focus on finding specific niches that fit you, like low-income, minority, state residency, or your major/intended field of study.
Try using UNIGO and Scholarship Owl; they’re really great resources!
My son had some success with scholarships, and here are a few of my recommendations. Keep in mind that not all scholarship databases are the same, and everything listed here was personally used for my son.
I don’t recommend Bold or ScholarshipOwl, and my son rarely applied for no-essay scholarships.
What I like:
For emails:
Also, check professional organizations related to your major. They often offer huge discounts to students and have scholarships available exclusively to members. My son won one of these and received mentorship, networking opportunities, and help navigating college for two years.