Research Guides: Undergraduate Funding & Resources: Scholarships

Scholarships

Scholarships and grants are both forms of financial assistance awarded to students based on a variety of factors and needs. Scholarships tend to be based on some form of merit, while grants tend to be based on measurements of financial need.

While all sources of funding, scholarships and grants differ from student loans in one very significant way. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid.

Scholarship Tips & Scams

Start your search as early as you can! It's important to plan ahead and allow enough time to review all your options and to follow each scholarship's specific requirements.
Use your network! Spread the word and inquire about scholarships from those you network with: family, friends, colleagues, organization members, etc.
Be wary of scams! Remember that no legitimate scholarship is going to charge YOU to apply, have your paperwork processed, or otherwise require an upfront fee. Likewise, be wary of providing too much personal information (social security number, bank accounts, etc.). Other forms of scholarship-related scams may include:
- "Free seminars" where overpriced loans, products, or services are pushed
- "Confirming eligibility" by requesting your checking account or credit card information
- "Money back guarantees" with attached conditions that make refunds unlikely or impossible
- "Promises of money or rewards" without any effort required on your part
Sing your praises! Applying for scholarships is one time where it's more than okay to brag. Mention recognitions and awards received, as well as accomplishments, talents, and interests that frame yourself in a positive light.
Consider smaller awards! Smaller awards can add up quickly to meaningful amounts.
Go big! Apply for as many scholarships as you can to improve your odds of winning.
Take advantage of help through ERAU! The Getting Help tab lists relevant departments that are ready to help Daytona Beach and Worldwide campus students.
Keep at it! Though you may have setbacks, keep trying!

1001 Ways to Pay for College: Strategies to Maximize Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants by Tanabe; Kelly Tanabe
Publisher: SuperCollege, 2015
Completely revised with updated descriptions, contact information, websites, and available monies, this guide to financing higher education is the only resource students need to fund their pursuit of knowledge. Balancing detailed explanations with real-life examples and practical resources, the featured topics include finding and winning scholarships, requesting a reassessment from colleges for more financial aid, maximizing assistance from state and federal governments, taking advantage ofeducational tax breaks, and benefiting from government-subsidized student loans.
College Admission 101: Simple Answers to Tough Questions about College Admissions and Financial Aid by The Princeton The Princeton Review; Robert Franek
Publisher: Random House, 2018
This friendly, helpful Q&A book from the editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review presents simple answers to your toughest questions about the college admissions process, figuring out financial aid, and getting into the university of your choice! From standardized tests to financial aid, Robert Frank provides straightforward answers to 60+ of the questions he hears most often, including: · Should I take the ACT or SAT? · When should I start my college research? · How many schools should I apply to? · Will applying Early Decision or Early Action give me a leg up? · Which extracurricular activities do colleges want to see? · How does the financial aid process work? · What's more important: GPA or test scores?
Please see Chapter 5 - Financial Aid & Scholarships (pp. 62-77)
The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price by Lynn O'Shaughnessy
Publisher: Pearson, 2012
This bestseller has been completely updated to provide you with the answers that you need to find wonderful colleges and universities at more affordable prices. The second edition of The College Solution, which contains approximately 90% new material, is aimed at helping parents and teenagers become empowered consumers as they navigate through the college process. Billions of dollars are available to pay for college, but not everybody gets their share. It's not always the families with the brightest students or the parents who are struggling financially who receive the most money. The College Solution shares the secrets of how you can capture some of this money for your own family. The book provides advice on such topics as financial aid, merit scholarships, athletic scholarships, admission hooks, the important differences between colleges and universities, college rankings, the best student loans and the latest online tools to evaluate the generosity of schools.
Confessions of a Scholarship Winner by Kristina Ellis
Publisher: Worthy, 2013
Kristina Ellis was awarded a full scholarship through her PhD. How she managed to get that kind of a scholarship offer is revealed in this book. Raised by a single mother, Kristina appeared to have everything stacked against her -- years of living below the poverty level, imperfect grades and sub-par SAT scores. Yet Kristina discovered the secrets to effectively presenting herself as a unique and desirable scholarship candidate. And she's sharing her secrets for scholarship success with students (and their parents) so that they too can obtain money for college.

Note: Available only as a print item in Hunt Library
How to Go to College on a Shoe String: The Insider's Guide to Grants, Scholarships, Cheap Books, Fellowships and Other Financial Aid Secrets by Debra Lipphardt; Ann Marie O'Phelan
Publisher: Atlantic Publishing Group, 2016
Despite college cost increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families. Armed with the information detailed in this comprehensive new book you will be privy to the more than 2,200 programs that offer scholarships, internships, or loans to more than 1.7 million students each year. These are scholarships, grants, and loan programs that you have never heard of. In addition to scholarships and grants you will learn hundreds of innovative ways to slash your college cost including: calculating your college budget, Ways to Reduce your college budget, buy your text books & supplies cheap, Earn college credit on an accelerated basis, CLEP, Earn college credit outside the traditional classroom, Make use of payment alternatives, Tax credits, Combine higher education and course-related employment, National and community service, Tuition prepayment plans, Federal Funds, State Aid, credit card use, Private Sector Aid, College Funds.
Paying for College 2022: Everything You Need to Maximize Financial Aid and Afford College by The Princeton Review; Kalman Chany
Publisher: Random House, 2022
Take control of your financial aid experience with this essential guide--the only annual guidebook with line-by-line instructions for completing the FAFSA aid forms! Financing a college education is a daunting task no matter what your circumstances. With line-by-line instructions for filling out the FAFSA and consumer-friendly advice to minimize college costs, Paying for College helps you take control of your experience and: * Maximize your financial aid eligibility * Learn how COVID-19 and the latest tax laws affect the financing of your college education * Explore long- and short-term strategies to reduce college costs and avoid expensive mistakes * Complete every question on the FAFSA and CSS Profile forms to your best advantage * Compare aid offers and learn how to appeal them if necessary * Plan strategically as a separated/divorced parent, blended family, or independent student.
Scholarship Strategies: Finding and Winning the Money You Need by Jean O'Toole
Publisher: Morgan James, 2019
Scholarship Strategies empowers students to be uniquely proactive towards their scholarship search process, enabling them to find more scholarships than with the traditional approach through the guidance and college offices at their schools. In Scholarship Strategies, Jean O'Toole simplifies the scholarship application process in easy-to-follow steps which any student can incorporate into their already busy schedules. She provides students and parents with a clear plan to decipher which scholarships have the best chances of winning and should be applied to. This easy-to-follow, out-of-the-box approach was developed over a decade of working with thousands of students, giving students and families ownership of the scholarship search process to build on the efforts that their school counselors are already providing.
The Scholarship System: 6 Simple Steps on How to Win College Scholarships and Secure Financial Aid by Jocelyn Paonita; Adam Carroll (Foreword by)
Publisher: CreateSpace 2014
The Scholarship System provides you with a step-by-step guide that you can actually implement in fewer hours than a part-time job yet realize the benefits for more than four years later. With proven strategies, examples and testimonies, The Scholarship System gives you a guide to make the scholarship process as easy and painless as possible regardless of your age, GPA, financial situation, or family background.

Note: Available only as a print item in Hunt Library
Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans: A Guide to Education-Related Financial Aid Programs for Students and Professionals by Bohdan Romaniuk
Publisher: Gale, 2016
Provides comprehensive information on sources of education-related financial aid sponsored and administered by private organizations and companies. Covers a variety of programs in all educational areas, including area and ethnic studies, business, computer science, education, liberal arts, medicine, physical sciences, theology and religion, and more. Intended for students and others interested in education funding.
The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2022: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes by Gen Tanabe; Kelly Tanabe
Publisher: SuperCollege, 2021
Information on 1.5 million scholarships, grants, and prizes is easily accessible in this revised directory with more than 300 new listings that feature awards indexed by career goal, major, academics, public service, talent, athletics, religion, ethnicity, and more. Each entry contains all the necessary information for students and parents to complete the application process, including eligibility requirements, how to obtain an application, how to get more information about each award, sponsor website listings, award amounts, and key deadlines. With scholarships for high school, college, graduate, and adult students, this guide also includes tips on how to conduct the most effective search, how to write a winning application, and how to avoid scams.

Cappex
Creating a free account is necessary to access this multi-billion dollar scholarship database. Scholarship opportunities can be narrowed down by location, minimum award amount, eligibility, and many other factors.
Fastweb
Free registration is required. This large scholarship database is searchable across a number of categories: age, state, grade level, interests, and more.
Zintellect
This database from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORAU) provides listings of internships, experiential learning opportunities, academic fellowships and scholarships funded by government and private sector organizations

BigFuture - College Board Foundation
This comprehensive college planning tool provides resources on preparing for college (college lists, SAT practice, etc.), paying for college (scholarship search), and exploring careers.
CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder
Lists thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities.
Current Undergraduate Awards - ERAU Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships
Provides information on current undergraduate opportunities. Includes deadlines, eligibility, and links to more information.
Federal Student Aid - U.S. Dept. of Education
Includes some basic information on finding and applying for scholarships, potential conflicts with other types of student aid, scams to be aware of, and more.
Resources for International Students - Vassar College
Vassar College has assembled a useful list of resources devoted to opportunities for international students (Non-US Citizens).
Scholarship Opportunities - Embry-Riddle DB Financial Aid Office
Information on both institutional and external scholarship opportunities for students of Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus..
Scholarship Opportunities - Embry-Riddle WW Financial Aid Office
Information on both institutional and external scholarship opportunities for Embry-Riddle's Worldwide & Online Campus students
Scholarship Search - Sallie Mae
Registration for Sallie Mae's Scholarship Search tool is free and provides access to information on thousands of potential scholarships.
Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com offers a simple and accessible approach to finding and applying for scholarships for students of all ages. Scholarships are searchable and browsable across multiple criteria.
SMART Scholarship Program - Department of Defense (DoD)
SMART offers scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students currently pursuing a degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines. SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the DoD after graduation. Upon degree completion, one year of civilian service is required for each year of scholarship funds received.