What scholarships are available for students with financial need?

I'm looking for scholarships that consider financial need as a significant factor. My family doesn't qualify for much aid but we definitely can't afford tuition without help. Does anyone know of good resources or specific scholarships that are generous?

There are numerous scholarships available that heavily weigh financial need as a standard for qualification.

1. Federal Pell Grant: While not technically a scholarship, the Pell Grant is a substantial form of aid awarded based partially on financial need. The maximum can change every year, but for the 2024-2025 school year, the maximum Pell Grant is $6,495.

2. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): This is another federally funded program for students with high need. Grants range from $100 to $4000 per year.

3. The Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for high school seniors who have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have faced significant financial hardship (family income of $55,000 or less). 106 students are awarded $25,000 each year.

4. The Elk’s National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship: This grant prioritizes need, but also considers academics and leadership. The scholarship awards a range from $4,000 to $50,000 over four years.

5. QuestBridge National College Match: This is an excellent program that matches high-achieving, low-income students with a full four-year scholarship at one of their partner colleges or universities.

When researching, keep an eye out for local community or state-based scholarships too. Some scholarships are exclusively offered to students residing in a specific region or state.

Moreover, always utilize resources like the College Board Scholarship Search, Fastweb, Scholarship.com, and Appily. These can provide a list of scholarships personalized to your details, including your financial situation.

Finally, don't underestimate the results from your FAFSA application! Many universities use these results for not only federal aid but for school-based aid and scholarships as well. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA, even if you think your family makes too much to qualify for help. You might be surprised at what you qualify for.