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Understanding Scholarships
Scholarships are one of the most desirable ways to pay for college, because they award money that does  
not need to be repaid. Scholarships are given to celebrate academic achievement, reward special talents,  
and support individuals with financial need. 
Types of Scholarships 
Below you will find a brief explanation of multiple types 
of scholarships. You are not limited to applying to only 
one type of scholarship, and may be eligible to receive 
multiple forms of scholarships.
•Academic scholarships are often referred to as  
“merit scholarships.” They are typically based upon 
your grade point average. They can also be given 
based upon your ability to earn a particular  
standardized test score. These scholarships can  
be provided at the school level (offered by your  
high school or college), national/federal level  
(offered by national institutions), or local level  
(offered by community-based organizations,  
churches, etc). 
•Athletic scholarships can be full or partial  
scholarships and are given to students who  
demonstrate exceptional acumen in a particular 
sport. The range of the scholarship amounts are 
based upon the competitive tier of the college.  
Athletic scholarships are governed by the  
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
•Employer scholarships are made available  
to employees of a particular company. These  
scholarships can be awarded via your parent or 
guardian’s employer, or can be awarded via your 
own employer. For example, these companies,  
which often employ high school students, award 
scholarships to their employees: Taco Bell, KFC,  
and Starbucks.
•Extracurricular scholarships are awarded on the 
basis of your commitment to a particular activity, 
club, or hobby. They have a wide range of dollar 
amounts. They can be awarded for things such as 
debate, student government, music, and much more.
•Major-specific scholarships are based on your 
selected course of study and offered through  
private entities, colleges, and universities. Be sure  
to check specifically with the related department  
at your college to discover whether aid is available.
•Military scholarships are for college students  
who have enlisted in the armed forces. Students  
are offered an array of financial support (both public 
and private) for their military service.
•Need-based scholarships are awarded based  
upon your family’s ability to pay for college. These 
scholarships are determined by the information  
provided on your FAFSA application and are  
designed to make college more affordable for  
your family.
•STEM scholarships are awarded to students  
who are actively pursuing careers in the fields  
of science, technology, engineering, and math.  
These scholarships are awarded by public and 
private institutions, as well as affinity organizations. 
Many are based upon your identity, such as  
gender or race.
•Student-centered scholarships are typically  
awarded on the basis of a student identifying  
with a particular group. These scholarships can  
be based on race, sexual orientation, being a 
first-generation-to-college student, or other unique  
personal qualifiers. 
 
Small Scholarships Can Add Up 
It can be tempting to apply only to big-dollar scholarships,  
but do not overlook those that award smaller dollar 
amounts. It is a smart strategy to also apply to several 
smaller scholarships that add up to a significant amount.
Pathways  
 to  Prosperity

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