How can I apply for outside scholarships?

Scholarships are gifts; they don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional/social organizations.

You can learn about scholarships in several ways, including by consulting our guide to Lesley scholarships and grants, and by checking other information in a public library or online. But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid.

 Try these free sources of information about scholarships:

• a high school or TRIO counselor
• the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool
• federal agencies
• your state grant agency
• your library’s reference section
• foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
• organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
• ethnicity-based organizations
• your employer or your parents’ employers