Community foundation scholarships
How a community foundation holds many local funds and reviews them through one shared application each year.
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Private and local scholarships
Community foundations, civic clubs, employers, unions, congregations and professional groups all fund scholarships. See where to look close to home, how to apply well, and how an outside award changes the rest of your aid.
Who holds the money: The organization that runs each scholarship, then your aid office
13 articles on private and local scholarships
Scholarships from local clubs and service groups
Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis and similar chapters run awards with their own committees, forms and interviews.
Scholarships through a parent's job or union
Many employers and unions set aside awards for workers' children, with rules written into benefits and membership.
Scholarships from congregations and faith groups
Congregations, regional faith bodies and denominational foundations fund awards with rules about membership and service.
Scholarships tied to heritage and identity
Heritage groups, tribal nations and community organizations fund awards for students who share a background or experience.
Scholarships from professional associations
Associations in fields such as nursing, engineering and accounting fund awards for students already working toward the field.
Asking for a recommendation letter
How to choose a writer, what to hand them and how to meet each sponsor's rules for sending a letter.
Why small local awards deserve an application
Local awards draw a narrow pool of applicants and can pay for books, fees or a term's supplies.
Spotting a scholarship scam
The warning signs the FTC describes, from upfront fees to awards you never applied for, and where to report them.
Scholarship search sites and what they ask of you
Free search tools can surface awards, but many collect your details for marketing, so read the privacy terms first.
How an outside scholarship changes your aid offer
Why the aid office must count every outside award and how it may adjust your grants, loans or work-study.
Scholarship checks made out to you or to the school
Where a scholarship check goes, why it may name both you and the school, and how the money reaches your account.
When a scholarship counts as taxable income
Scholarship money spent on tuition and required course costs is generally tax-free, while money for housing and food is generally taxable.
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