Are there scholarships to help with college living expenses?

With rising college costs, I'm worried about managing living expenses once I'm on campus. Are there scholarships that specifically cover living expenses? How do these differ from regular tuition scholarships?

Sure, scholarships can indeed help cover living expenses. There are many scholarships that are applicable to any education-related expense, which includes not only tuition, but also room and board, textbooks, and other living expenses. These are often referred to as "unrestricted scholarships." The main way these differ from scholarships specifically for tuition is that they are flexible in terms of their use.

When you're awarded an unrestricted scholarship, the sponsoring organization usually sends the check directly to you or deposits the award into your bank account. You can then use the funds as you see fit on anything from dormitory costs to a meal plan or even transportation expenses.

For instance, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, a highly competitive scholarship funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, can be used to cover the full cost of attendance, including living expenses where necessary. The Rhodes Scholarships, given to postgraduates studying at the University of Oxford, covers "all college and university fees", as well as a living stipend.

On the other hand, scholarships specifically for tuition are usually paid directly to the school and applied to your tuition bill. Room and board, textbooks, and other living expenses aren't typically eligible to be covered by these types of scholarships.

So while searching for scholarships, pay close attention to the usage details provided. It's always a good idea to look for unrestricted scholarships if you're concerned about managing living expenses in college.