College is expensive. That’s not news to anyone. What may be a surprise, though, is that colleges in fact leave thousands of scholarships on the table every year. These are not the big name scholarships you find out if you won on national television! They’re the secret ones — those smaller awards that are never on students’ radars, mainly because they just don’t know where to look for them.
If you are willing to do a little extra digging, more than just the one-eyed goldfish in your room will be finding scholarship money that most overlook. This guide will reveal exactly where to look for these secret scholarships and how to win them. We’re dealing with concrete strategies, not the same old advice about browsing through scholarship sites.
Why Free College Money Goes Unclaimed
But before you dive into the treasure hunt, let’s discuss why so many scholarships go unclaimed. The main reason? Students just look in the obvious places. They turn to the major scholarship search engines, apply for a few big awards and walk away when they don’t win.
There are scholarships that are hidden in locations most students never even think to search. Local businesses, community groups, your parents’ employers and even your future college provide scholarships that get significantly fewer applications than national scholarships. The less competition you have, the better your chances.
Another issue is that students mistakenly think scholarships are all for straight-A students or star athletes. Wrong. There are scholarships for left-handed students, tall people, duck callers and even one for people with the last name “Zolp.” You just need to know where to locate them.
Begin in Your Own Backyard
The best place to start the quest for scholarships, in fact, is right in your home. To understand is to win, so to speak.
Your High School Guidance Office
Your guidance counselor is aware of scholarships that students in only your high school can apply for. These could be from alumni, local businesses that have partnered with your school, or members of the community who want to give students from your area a leg up. Ask by name at your guidance office at least once a month: “What new scholarships have arrived recently?”
Most schools have a scholarship bulletin board or binder that isn’t updated online. You are just not going to find out about it if you don’t go there in person. Schedule regular check-ins by setting a reminder on your phone.
Local Businesses and Organizations
Walk the main street of your hometown, and you’ll pass dozens of potential sources for a scholarship. Restaurants, banks, law firms, insurance companies, accounting businesses and retailers often offer scholarships. The catch? Typically, they only promote that in their window flyers or local events.
Here’s what you should do: Make a list of every business in your town. Give them a ring or stop by, and inquire whether they offer any scholarships or have leads on local awards. Yes, this takes effort. That’s why it’s effective — most students aren’t going to do it.
Community Organizations
The Rotary, Lion’s, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW routinely have scholarships available to students within their community. These institutions are community-based organizations and a big part of their work is helping students pay for college.
Figure out when these groups meet (it’s usually public information) and go to a meeting. Send an introduction of who you are and mention that you will be applying to their scholarships and want to thank them for providing students with financial aid. Meeting someone personally is going to pay off hugely.
Religious Organizations
Churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other religious organizations often award scholarships to their members or local community. They’re not always widely advertised, so you have to ask about this one. Speak with youth leaders, administrators or anyone performing community outreach.
Even if you don’t go to religious services, some of these scholarships are available to anyone in the community who shares the values or has an interest in studying specific fields.
Tap Into Your Parents’ Networks
Between your parents’ jobs and memberships alone, you have gold mines of scholarship opportunities that most of your classmates will never access.
Parent and Guardian Employers
Many organizations give scholarships only for the children of employees. These are some of the best undercover scholarships since the pool is automatically narrowed down to children with parents working at a particular company. Your competition may be only 20 or 30 students instead of thousands.
Have your parents call their HR departments and ask about:
- Employee dependent scholarships
- Educational assistance programs
- Partnership programs with local colleges
- Company-funded scholarships, such as those available through the company’s foundation or charitable arm
Big companies, of course, have the resources to offer big scholarships but even small ones can sometimes give a few hundred dollars or thousands of dollars to help employees’ children pay for college.
Professional Associations and Unions
If your parents are members of professional organizations or unions, look into scholarships available through those as well. From teachers to nurses, from engineers to tradesmen you name the profession and typically there is a group that supports the families of its members.
Your Future College Is Hiding Money
Colleges have millions of dollars in scholarship money they want to distribute, and they’re working hard to try to give it away. Unfortunately, you may not always be the first person they tell about every opportunity.
Departmental Scholarships
When you choose a major, the department in your major will have scholarships separate from general university awards. The music department offers scholarships for music majors. There are awards for engineering students in the school of engineering. There are faculty members in the English department who nurture writers and students of literature.
What’s scarce about those departmental scholarships is, they also receive far fewer applications — because students are unaware that they exist. Call the department and ask for a list of all scholarships open to majors. Do this before classes start if you can.
Special Interest Scholarships
There are scholarships in colleges and universities for:
- Students who come from specific geographic areas
- Students who are part of certain clubs or activities
- Students who demonstrate particular talents or interests
- Students who intend to follow certain career paths
The financial aid office might not tell you about these unless you ask. Request the full list of all scholarships available through the college (not just those for which you’re automatically considered).
Legacy and Donor Scholarships
A lot of scholarships at schools are endowed by alumni or by donors who want to specify very specific criteria. There may be an award available for:
- Students from Donor X’s hometown
- A violin player who is a pre-med major
- A student who was interested in agriculture and had lost a parent
- Students whose last name must match donor’s last name
Because these ultra-targeted scholarships are so specific, they’re often left unclaimed when the perfect recipient has no idea they even exist. Inquire if the college has a donor-funded scholarship database you can use to search for assistance.
Get Creative With Scholarship Searches
Quit using one or two scholarship websites. Experiment and try new things.
Niche Scholarship Sites
Beyond the big names — like Fastweb and Scholarships.com, try:
- Cappex.com
- Scholly
- Going Merry
- Bold.org
- Niche.com
Each site has unique scholarships in the database. Whatever you see on one doesn’t necessarily appear on the other.
Social Media and Hashtag Hunting
Look up hashtags like the following on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok:
- #scholarship
- #scholarshipopportunity
- #collegescholarship
- #financialaid
Many smaller organizations and newer scholarships promote opportunities through social media first. Follow scholarship accounts and enable notifications so you know about new awards as soon as they are offered.
Google Advanced Search
Most people don’t know how to best use Google for scholarship searches. Try these specific search strings:
- “Scholarship” + your city/state
- “Scholarship” + your intended major
- “Scholarship” + talent/hobby of yours
- “Scholarship” + your ethnicity, nationality or background
- “Scholarship” + “2024” or “2025” (for the latest deadlines)
Enclose phrases in quotes to get an exact match. Add site:.edu to only search for educational sites, or site:.org for nonprofit organizations.
Relate Your Personal Story to the Scholarship Criteria
Here’s a little secret: You are one of a kind in ways you’ve likely never considered. Those special attributes can link you to scholarships no one else would ever discover.
Make a Personal Inventory
List everything about yourself:
- The place of birth for you, and your parents
- Your heritage and cultural background
- Any medical conditions you or family members have
- Disabilities or challenges you’ve overcome
- Unusual hobbies or talents
- Specific career goals
- Family situation (first gen student, from single parent household, in a military family etc.)
- Languages you speak
- Places you’ve lived
- Clubs, sports or other activities you are involved in
- Volunteer work and community service
- Anything quirky about you (tall, the first born, left handed, a twin)
Now look for scholarships based on each thing you listed. There’s a scholarship for nearly everything you can think of.
Medical and Disability-Related Scholarships
Organizations associated with specific illnesses often provide scholarships to those who have been diagnosed with that illness. If a member of your family has diabetes, cancer, heart disease, autism, ADHD, dyslexia or any other condition search for foundations and associations related to it.
Heritage and Cultural Scholarships
Your race, culture or country of origin may link to a variety of scholarships and grants. Italian-American societies, Hispanic associations, Asian-American clubs and African-American organizations have scholarships to offer, as do Irish groups, Polish organizations and groups representing just about every heritage.
They’re not just for kids who are “deeply plugged in” to their cultural community. Many are seeking students who have that heritage and are going through the educational process.
Timing Is Everything
Not all scholarships are publicly listed, and these private scholarships sometimes do not have deadlines that coincide with traditional scholarship season.
Year-Round Searching
Most students apply only for scholarships in the fall and spring. Big mistake. Scholarships with deadlines are available every month of the year. Some of the most lucrative hidden scholarships have summer deadlines, when students are less likely to be scrambling.
Schedule it: Dedicate at least two hours each month to looking for new scholarships. Put it on your calendar and treat it as a part-time job. Because this is what it really is — a great-paying job for the time you put in.
Rolling Deadlines and Quick-Turn Awards
A few scholarships allow you to apply all year long or have monthly due dates. These “rolling deadline” scholarships receive fewer applications per cycle, as students usually concentrate on annual awards with big, highlighted deadlines.
Quick-turn scholarships — ones that have short application windows — also get fewer applications. If you see a scholarship posted and there are only two weeks left before the deadline, apply! Most students will skip over it because they will feel as if they don’t have time to do it, which means less competition for you.
Look for the “Weird” Scholarships
Some of the weirdest scholarships are also some of the most valuable and easiest to win when you qualify or apply.
Unique Personal Characteristics
Real scholarships exist for:
- Tall students (Tall Clubs International)
- Left-handed students (Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship)
- Twins (Twins Days Festival Scholarships)
- Students with specific last names
- People born on certain dates
- Students who have hitchhiked
These could sound like a round of Balderdash, but they’re all absolutely true. Look for grants that accommodate any strange attributes you possess.
Unusual Talents and Hobbies
Do you:
- Create duck calls?
- Create prom dresses using duct tape?
- Build robots?
- Play bagpipes?
- Participate in marksmanship?
- Raise livestock?
There are scholarships for all of these, and hundreds more. Whatever your passion, no matter how niche, try googling it along with the word “scholarship.”
Track Everything Like a Pro
When you start discovering little-known scholarships, you have to bring some order to the chaos.
Create a Scholarship Spreadsheet
Create a spreadsheet with the following columns:
- Scholarship name
- Amount
- Deadline
- Requirements
- Parts of the application required (essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts etc.)
- Website/contact information
- Application status
- Notes
Keep this updated and sort by deadline so you never miss an opportunity.
Set Up a Scholarship Email
Set up a scholarships-only email account. This way, the communications involved in scholarship applications are separate from your normal email and it’s easier to stay organized. Have a professional-type address like firstnamelastnamescholarships@email.com.
Prepare Core Application Materials
Create a master folder with:
- Your resume
- Transcripts
- Essay drafts on common topics (a time you had to overcome some adversity, what are your future career goals, why do you deserve this scholarship etc.)
- Letters of recommendation saved as PDFs
- A professional headshot photo
The advantage of having them ready to go is that you can fill out scholarship applications as soon as you come across them, including very last minute ones.
Application Strategies That Actually Work
Once hidden scholarships are found, however, there’s another challenge. You also need to win them.
Personalize Every Single Application
Never use the same essay for more than one scholarship. Scholarship reviewers can tell, and it’s the quickest way to get denied.
Even if two scholarships have similar prompts, customize your response. Mention the name of the scholarship and organization in your essay, to prove that you wrote it specifically for them.
Share Your Story Instead of Just Listing Accomplishments
The students who win scholarships aren’t always those with the most impressive résumés. They are the ones who tell powerful stories about who they are, what obstacles they face and why education is important to them.
Don’t say: “I have a 3.8 GPA and volunteer 100 hours a year.”
Instead say: “Seeing my mother push herself through paying bills while at the same time working towards her own degree at night when she lost her job, her determination motivated me to try my hardest in school and serve others by tutoring younger students with the same difficulties.”
See the difference? The latter version is emotionally resonant and tells you something about who you are as a person.
Follow Directions Exactly
This may seem like a given, but you would be stunned to know how many students are disqualified for not adhering to simple application guidelines. If the specifications say a 500-word essay, don’t submit 650. If they require two letters of recommendation, don’t send three. If they have specified a certain format or file type, use it.
Closely specified requirements give organizations a first-round filter to winnow out applicants. Don’t give them a convenient excuse to get rid of you.
Apply for Everything You Can
And here’s the true key to winning scholarships: It’s a numbers game. The more you apply to, the more you win. Don’t skip applications because you tell yourself that you’ll never win. You won’t win scholarships you don’t apply for, that’s for sure.
Even a $500 scholarship is good. That’s real money that comes off the price of college. If the application takes you two hours to fill out, then it’s like you’ve been paid $250 an hour. Not bad for a student job.
For more tips on paying for college, visit the Federal Student Aid website for comprehensive information on financial aid options.
Where Students Often Miss Scholarship Opportunities
| Location | Why It’s Overlooked | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Parent’s Employer | Students aren’t aware to ask | Have parents check with HR department |
| College Department Offices | Students only visit financial aid office | Email or visit physical office |
| Local Newspapers | Everything is online now | Check community section for scholarships |
| Library Bulletin Boards | Students don’t visit libraries | Visit both local and college libraries |
| Town/City Government | Municipal scholarships? | Official city website or call town hall |
| Credit Unions | Non-members don’t know | Inquire about scholarships for all |
| Funeral Homes | Seems unrelated | Many offer memorial scholarships |
| Family Reunions | Unexpected source | Ask family members |
Warning Signs: How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
As you look for hidden scholarships, be aware of scams.
You Should Never Pay to Apply
Reputable scholarships do not require application fees. If a “scholarship” requires that you pay up front, it’s not a legitimate offer. True scholarships pay you; they don’t charge you.
Be Cautious of Guarantees
Nobody can promise that you will win a scholarship. If a service guarantees you will absolutely get scholarship money, it is stretching the truth. Real scholarship matching services can assist you in your search, but the winning is based on quality and competition.
Protect Your Personal Information
Use caution with information like your Social Security number or bank account information. Though some valid scholarships may require this information later (for tax purposes, for distributing the scholarship), they shouldn’t request it in first round of applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should I be spending looking for scholarships?
2-3 hours per week during the peak of scholarship season (fall and spring) and 2-4 hours per month in summer. Think of it as a side gig that could make you thousands of dollars.
When is a good time to start my scholarship search?
Begin as soon as you can — your junior year of high school at the latest. However, it’s never too late. College students may apply for scholarships each year they attend college.
Is it worthwhile to keep applying for these small scholarships?
Absolutely! Smaller scholarships ($500 to $1,000) can mean less competition, which increases your chances. And small scholarships accumulate fast. Win 10 $500 scholarships and you have a total of $5,000 in free money.
If I am already in college, can I still apply for scholarships or are they just for high school seniors?
Most scholarships are for current college students. Keep on looking and building your resume while you go to college. Some of the best scholarships are reserved for students who are already in college.
How many scholarships do I need to apply for?
There is no magic number, but students who successfully apply for multiple scholarships generally apply to 20-50 or more. Remember, it’s a numbers game. The more you apply for, the better your odds of winning.
What if I’m not an A student?
Many scholarships don’t emphasize your grades at all. Seek out awards for community service, leadership, special circumstances, talent, heritage or career path. Many obscure scholarships care more about character and tenacity than GPA.
Do I have to write a fresh essay for each scholarship?
Each essay should be tailored for the scholarship you’re applying to, but you can reuse core ideas. Write a few good essays on common topics and then adapt them to tailor for each scholarship’s unique requirements.
How can I tell if a scholarship is real?
Research the organization offering it. Valid scholarships are issued by legitimate organizations with actual websites, phone numbers and addresses. Question scholarships with murky descriptions, bad grammar or requests for money.
Your Action Plan: What You Can Do Now
You know where to find secret scholarships. Now, here’s your step-by-step action plan to find and win them:
This Week:
- Stop in at your school counselor’s office and ask about community scholarships
- Ask your parents to inquire with their employers about scholarships for dependents
- Create your scholarship tracking spreadsheet
- Establish a separate scholarship email address
- Google “scholarship + [your city/state]” and apply to at least two local scholarships
This Month:
- Research and speak with no less than 10 local businesses regarding scholarships
- Check three local community organizations in your locality and inquire about their scholarship programs
- Go to your library and look at the bulletin boards
- Join scholarship notification groups on social media
- Work on your resume or create a new one, and write drafts for core essays
Ongoing:
- Search for new scholarships a minimum of twice weekly
- Apply for at least 5 scholarships each month
- Follow up on applications if applicable
- Keep your tracking spreadsheet updated
- Constantly develop and update your essays based on what works
The Real Secret to Uncovering Hidden Scholarships
Here’s the truth that most advice on scholarships is not going to share with you: Finding hidden scholarships isn’t about some kind of secret website or insider connection. It’s about being willing to do what other students aren’t willing to do.
It’s about picking up the phone and calling local businesses when everyone else just looks online. It’s working on weekends to attend meetings of community organizations when your friends are just chilling. It’s about applying to 30 scholarships while your peers send three, and then complain that scholarships are “too competitive.”
The scholarships aren’t hiding. They’re sitting in plain sight. They’re waiting in your school guidance counselor’s office, on the HR calendar of your parents’ work and on bulletin boards at your library; they exist in community organizations’ meeting minutes. It’s not that the scholarships are “hidden” — it’s just that most students are too lazy to look beyond the usual suspects.
You’re not most students anymore. There’s no longer any doubt about where to look for scholarship money, or how to find it while everyone else misses the boat. The only question left is: Will you?
College is costly, but there’s aid out there to help you foot the bill. Hidden scholarships are your secret weapon. So while thousands of students are fighting over prestigious national awards, you’ll be winning a wave of local and niche scholarships for which there is next to no competition.
Start today. Not tomorrow, not next week—today. Open your tracking sheet, stop by the guidance office or look up scholarships in your town. Every day you procrastinate is another day you could be spending less than an hour and getting your college expenses taken care of for another year.
The secret scholarships are out there. Now go find them.
