Your Guide to College Scholarships & Grants
Whether you’re heading into your senior year or already in college, it’s never too early to get ahead with your scholarship search, applications and planning.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to hunting for free money to fund your education.
Get Organized
Before you dive into applications, set yourself up for success by keeping track of your progress. It’ll help you stay focused, meet deadlines and not let any opportunities slip past you. Think of your scholarship and grant search as a part-time job that can really pay off by doing the following:
Create a dedicated folder (digital or paper) to keep everything in one place.
Set up a calendar or planner with scholarship deadlines, reminders, and goal dates.
Make a list of your achievements, goals, and activities. This will help you complete applications faster, customize your essays with ease and find specialized scholarships and grants related to your interests.
Search Trusted Resources
There are thousands of scholarships and grants out there, but not all are created equal. Stick with these trusted, free resources to avoid scams or dead ends.
School Counselors: Local scholarships typically don’t make it to national websites. Your high school counselor can connect you with regional opportunities that are often less competitive.
Professional Associations & Employers: Look for scholarships through:
Your or your parents’ employer, union or church.
Professional associations in your future career field (e.g., nursing, tech, education, etc.)
Your local Chamber of Commerce, who may know of local businesses offering scholarships
College & Career Websites:
Fastweb matches you to scholarships and internships for free.
College Board’s BigFuture website lets you search for over 2,000 scholarships and programs.
Scholarships.com offers a free, searchable database of scholarships.
FAFSA & State Aid: Even though it’s not a search tool, submitting your FAFSA is essential for federal grants, work-study and some scholarships.
HESC Scholarship Search Tool: Curated by Higher Education Servicing Corporation (HESC), this free tool filters out the noise. You won’t find any ads or gimmicks, just real, up-to-date scholarships posted with Texas students in mind.
Prepare Your Application Materials
Some scholarships have short forms and others require full applications, essays or portfolios. Prep these basics so you’re ready to apply quickly:
Current resume or activity sheet
Unofficial or official transcripts
Letters of recommendation (ask early and give your writers plenty of info––and time––to sing your praises)
Personal statement or scholarship essay tailored to the scholarship
Financial or eligibility documents, like income verification, proof of residency or GPA
Bonus Points: Need help writing a standout essay? Check out our blog on crafting a winning scholarship essay.
Track and Apply
Once you find scholarships, use a spreadsheet to track:
Scholarship name
Source
Deadline
Award amount
What it covers (tuition, books, etc.)
Application status (not started, in progress, submitted)
Follow-up requirements
Pro Tip: Apply well before deadlines and double-check that each scholarship is accepted by your intended school.
Follow Up and Renew
After applying:
Watch your email and mailbox for notifications.
Respond promptly if a scholarship committee asks for more information.
If you receive a scholarship or grant, ask if it’s renewable and what you’ll need to do to keep it. Don’t forget to let your college know—you’ll want to make sure your financial aid package is updated to reflect your new award.
Show Thanks
A little gratitude goes a long way. Thank anyone who wrote recommendations or helped you with your application process. If you’re awarded a scholarship, send a thank-you note to the donor or organization. It reflects well on you and encourages future giving.
Start Strong, Stay Consistent
Finding and applying for scholarships and grants takes time and effort—but it’s time well spent. Investing a few hours a week applying for financial aid can result in thousands of dollars of free funding.
And remember—HESC is here to help every step of the way. Explore our Scholarship Content Library and financial literacy tools to keep building your future with confidence.