Where to find available scholarships for college students?

I've been searching for scholarships to help with college expenses but feel overwhelmed. Are there any tools or resources that can help me find and apply for available scholarships more efficiently?

There are several resources you can use to find scholarships that may be a good fit for you. First, your college's financial aid office will likely have information on scholarships available directly through your institution. They may also have relationships with outside entities that offer scholarships to their students.

Another resource could be your academic department. Many colleges and universities offer scholarships to students within specific fields of study, and these opportunities are often hosted by the academic department rather than the financial aid office. Reach out to your academic advisor or department chair for information regarding these scholarships.

Beyond university-based scholarships, many online tools and databases aggregate scholarship information from around the country. One such tool is Fastweb, which allows you to create a profile and matches you with scholarships that fit your background and interests.

A new resource, Appily, provides a large database of scholarships and also offers tools to track deadlines and manage applications. It can be a helpful starting point to get a sense of what's out there and to organize your search.

Keep in mind to watch out for scams during your scholarship search. A legitimate scholarship should never ask you to pay a fee to apply, and should always provide clear information about the application process and awarding criteria.

Applying for scholarships can take time and effort, but every scholarship won is less money you'll need to borrow in student loans. Good luck with your search!