Scholarships are free money that you do not repay. Thousands of scholarships go unclaimed every year because students do not know where to look or do not apply. This guide gives you a system for finding, applying to, and winning scholarships for college.
Start with local scholarships
Local scholarships have less competition because only students in your area can apply. Many receive fewer than 50 applications.
Your school counseling office. Ask your counselor for a list of scholarships available to your school’s students. Many schools maintain a scholarship bulletin board or email list. If they do not, ask them to start one.
Your community foundation. Nearly every county has a community foundation that administers dozens of local scholarships. Search “[your county] community foundation scholarships” and check their website in January (most post deadlines for the spring cycle).
Local organizations. Rotary clubs, Kiwanis clubs, Lions clubs, Elks lodges, veterans’ organizations (VFW, American Legion), churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples all offer scholarships. Many do not advertise widely. Call and ask.
Your parents’ employers. Many companies offer scholarships to employees’ children. Ask your parents to check with their HR department.
Your state medical society. Some state medical associations offer scholarships specifically for students interested in healthcare careers. Search “[your state] medical society scholarships.”
National scholarship databases
Use these free search engines to find scholarships that match your profile:
Fastweb: The largest scholarship database. Create a profile and receive matched scholarship recommendations. Free. Updated daily.
Scholarships.com: Similar to Fastweb with a different database. Use both to maximize coverage.
College Board Scholarship Search: Searches over 2,200 programs totaling nearly $6 billion. Free.
Going Merry: Allows you to apply to multiple scholarships through one platform. Free.
Bold.org: Scholarships funded by individual donors. Many have unique criteria. Free.
Healthcare-specific scholarships
These scholarships target students interested in medicine and healthcare:
HOSA scholarships: If you are a HOSA member, you are eligible for state and national HOSA scholarships. Check hosa.org/scholarships.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC): While the main program is for college and graduate students, understanding it now helps you plan. The NHSC provides full scholarships in exchange for service in underserved areas after graduation.
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship: For students pursuing healthcare careers. Amounts vary. Search for current year deadlines.
Build an application system
Treat scholarship applications like a part-time job. Set up a spreadsheet with: Scholarship Name, Amount, Deadline, Requirements (GPA, essay, recommendation), Status (researching, in progress, submitted, result), and Link.
Aim to apply to 15-25 scholarships between September of your senior year and May of your senior year. Most essays ask similar questions (“Tell us about yourself,” “Describe a challenge,” “Why this field?”), so you can reuse and customize core essays across applications.
Winning tips from scholarship reviewers
Scholarship committees read hundreds of applications. Here is what makes yours stand out:
Follow directions exactly. If the word limit is 500 words, do not submit 700. If they ask for a PDF, do not send a Word document. Reviewers eliminate non-compliant applications first.
Be specific. “I want to help people” is generic. “After volunteering at Hartford Hospital for 200 hours, I realized I want to practice family medicine in an underserved community like the one where I grew up” is memorable.
Proofread. Ask someone else to read your essay. Typos and grammatical errors suggest carelessness, which is the opposite of what scholarship committees want to fund.
Apply to everything you qualify for. Even small scholarships ($250-$500) add up. Ten small scholarships equal one large one, and small ones have less competition.