How to find scholarships open to anyone?

I'm looking for scholarships that aren't too specific and are open to anyone applying for college. It seems like a lot of scholarships have tight criteria, so any advice on finding more general ones would be great.

You're in good company with many other students trying to navigate the scholarship landscape, and it's definitely common to feel overwhelmed by the specifics of various scholarships. That said, there are some general tips you can use to find scholarships with broad eligibility criteria.

1. Local Community: Many civic organizations, community foundations, and businesses offer scholarships to local students. These can be open to all local high school students, regardless of their intended major, background, or certain achievements.

2. School Scholarships: Colleges and universities often offer institutional scholarships that are open to anyone applying or who's been accepted into the school. These scholarships can be either merit-based or need-based. Be sure to explore the scholarship webpages of the schools you're applying to.

3. Online Scholarship Platforms: Use online platforms like Fastweb or Appily which aggregate scholarships from various sources. You can filter your search to only show scholarships with broad eligibility requirements.

4. Scholarships for All Majors: Look for scholarships that don't require a specific major. For example, the U.S. Bank Scholarship is open to all undergraduate students regardless of their area of study.

Remember, many highly competitive scholarships are open to anyone, like the Coca-Cola Scholars Program or the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Given their wide eligibility, they often receive a high volume of applicants, making these scholarships more competitive. So, while you're searching for "open to anyone" scholarships, do make sure to balance between the competitive ones and those that are a bit more niche or less known, where you might have a higher chance of winning.

Finally, be organized in your scholarship application process—keep track of deadlines, requirements and be thorough in your applications. A well-written, thoughtful application can set you apart. Good luck with your scholarship search!