Do scholarships work for every college?

I'm trying to understand how scholarships work when applying to different colleges. Are there scholarships that apply universally to any college, or do they only work at certain schools? Any advice or resources would be appreciated!

Scholarships can indeed apply to a variety of colleges, but it really depends on the scholarship itself.

There are two primary types of scholarships: institutional scholarships and external scholarships.

Institutional scholarships are given by the colleges themselves. These can come in many forms, such as merit-based, need-based, or a combination of the two. They can also be program-specific. For instance, a school might have a scholarship for students majoring in math or physics. If you're awarded an institutional scholarship, it is exclusive to that college and can't be transferred to another institution.

Now, external scholarships are provided by private organizations, non-profits, foundations, and companies. They can be used at any college that accepts them, so in that respect, they can be considered "universal". These scholarships often have a separate application process, and their requirements can vary widely, ranging from specific area of study, leadership experience, athletic achievement, community service, to essay contests, and more.

Please note that whether it's an institutional or external scholarship, it's crucial to read through the terms and eligibility requirements carefully to ensure that you fully understand what you're applying for. It's also worth mentioning that winning a scholarship doesn't reduce your tuition cost directly; instead, it reduces the amount of financial aid you would need to cover your costs. Therefore, in some instances, winning a scholarship might result in a decrease in the financial aid awarded by your college. Again, it's important to understand the specifics of the scholarship and how it would interact with your financial aid package to avoid any surprises.