People with children understand the financial shock awaiting them when they become college bound. It costs an estimated $233,000 to raise a child from the moment of birth to 17. Keep in mind that this estimate doesn’t include medical care or tuition costs.
A private college will cost you more than $35,000 annually in tuition costs. If you have multiple children, then those costs grow exponentially. So, a group of friends and I have been putting together lists of scholarship websites that helps students and families search for scholarships.
All of the scholarship directory websites listed in this article are free to use. Registering on the sites and creating a profile may be the most efficient way to navigate the listings, however. Most of these sites even match you with scholarships based ono your preference via your profile.
Scholarships.com
Founded in 1988, this probably the largest online source of scholarships on the internet today. There are about 3.7 million scholarships listings on Scholarship.com with a combined value of about $19 billion. These scholarships are updated regularly and were sourced from over 4,000 colleges, universities, and academic organizations.
The Scholarships.com website can assist you in contacting and querying the colleges, universities, and academic organizations offering the scholarships. The only downside to the website is that using it for the first time can be quite intimidating to the uninitiated.
There are so many lists, categories, and options to choose, since there are 3.7 million scholarships on the database. However, its better to have too many options than none, so don’t give up.
FastWeb
FastWeb is another great online directory listing of scholarships that is very user friendly. You will find over 1.5 million scholarship opportunities listed on FastWeb. All of the scholarships have a combined value of $3.4 billion.
FastWeb also has frequently updated listings of helpful articles about adjusting to college life, financial aid available on the site too.
Additionally, you will also find directories for 10,000 part-time jobs, internships, and other related opportunities, Adult and middle-aged students will be able to peruse listings for scholarships eligible for returning adult students as well.
The College Board
The College Board only has about 2,300 scholarships listed on its only directory. However, many of them can be applied to any college. Also, they collectively have a value of about $3 billion. The College Board was launched in 1900 and claims to assist over 7 million annually prepare for college.
This website mass updates all of its information on a daily basis. Also, the College Board is the academic organization that regulates vital exams like the AP and SAT exams. If any website is going to have scholarships that may be suited to your needs, it’s this one.
Rich or Working Class, College Will Cost You
Did you know that 70% of the 2018 college graduate class assumed over $30,000 in student loan debt each? The student loan debt crisis has gotten so bad that rich families are giving up custody of their children, and granting guardianship to friends, so their children can qualify for need-based scholarships that should only go to poverty-stricken and working-class students. (Yes, its apparently legal.)
If the uber-wealthy thinks tuition is too high, then you should pay attention as well. Take the time to check every scholarship database that you can. Enlist the help of friends. It won’t be easy, but it could save you a fortune in the long run.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.
