Helpful Websites

This page lists additional websites for scholarship searches and other college payment resources. NOTE: Never pay someone to do a scholarship search. There are too many free services that you can utilize that will provide you with the same information as a paid service! The sites listed here are all free. If you find one that is not, please let us know.

FAFSA on the Web
Missouri Department of Higher Education
The College Board
U.S. Department of Education
National Student Loan Data System
Student Aid Publications
Loan Consolidation
FastWeb
Adventures in Education
Collegeboard.com
College Net
The Scholarship Page
College Answer
StudentLoans.gov

Accounting

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships

AICPA has information on numerous scholarships for students pursuing education in accounting, including scholarships for minorities in accounting profession. The AICPA also has links to other sites that can help the accounting student fund their educational career.

Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting

1) Women in Transition: Applicants who have few marketable job skills because they have functioned primarily in the role of homemaker, or they do not possess a college degree. Applicants should be incoming or current freshman, or those returning to school with a freshman status.
2) Applicants will be farther along in the degree process than Women in Transition applicants, but still have few marketable job skills since they have functioned primarily in the role of a homemaker prior to entering a degree program. Applicants should be at least incoming or current juniors, or those returning to school with sufficient credits to qualify for junior status.
Application deadlines usually in April of each year. Recipients of scholarships notified in June of each year.

Business

Career Advancement Scholarship

The BPW Foundation established the Career Advancement Scholarship Program in 1969 to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged women seeking to further their education. Scholarships are provided to women who wish to advance in their careers, or are soon to enter or re-enter the workforce. The Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in scholarships, grants and loans to over 8,000 women seeking to improve their lives. Career Advancement Scholarship Criteria:

Be a female
Be at least 25 years of age
Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
Demonstrate critical financial need
Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $2,500 or less
Be officially accepted into an accredited degree or certificate program at an accredited U.S. college or university, including those in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
Demonstrate clear career plans
Not be earning a doctoral-level or terminal degree, such as a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., J.D., etc.

Child of Single Parent

Raise the Nation: Child of a Single Parent Woman Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to reduce the financial burden of paying for college that single parent women face when they still claim their children as a dependent on their taxes. We recognize that dependent children are only offered minimal amounts of financial aid due to the calculation being dependent on their mother's income. If you are the child of a single parent woman and are entering or are currently enrolled in a post secondary course of study, you qualify for this scholarship. You must also be claimed as a dependent by your mother to qualify and be under 24 years of age.

Community Service

Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program

Nomination materials are sent to all two-year, degree granting institutions in the United States in February. Each college campus may nominate two students for this scholarship program. Nominees may be first and/or second year students planning to continue their education at a two-year institution. 400 awards will be given annually. Applicants must meet following criteria:

Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Must have demonstrated academic success (with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale)
Must have completed 100 hours of community service within the previous 12 months as validated by their college nominator
Must be planning to enroll in at least two courses during the next term at a two-year institution and plan to use the funds for education expenses at the two-year college/institution
May not be children of Coca-Cola employees.

Target All-Around Scholarship

Open to high school seniors or graduates, and to current undergraduate college students (age 24 and under). Must be a legal U.S. resident. Must enroll in a college or university no later than fall term at an accredited two- or four-year institution. Recipients are chosen based on following criteria:

Number of community volunteer service hours.
Volunteer leadership awards and honors.
Appraisal form completed by volunteer supervisor or leader.
Essay on volunteer service.
Grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

Construction

National Association of Women in Construction

The purpose of NAWIC is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. NAWIC awards over $50,000 to worthy recipients in construction-related programs. Award amounts range from $500 to $2,000.The scholarships offered by NAWIC are the Construction Trades Scholarship and the Undergraduate Scholarship. NAWIC posts scholarship applications on their website in October of each year and usually have an early February application deadline.

Contest

Duck Brand Duct Tape Contests

Various contests are offered and are available for anyone to enter, not just college students.

The Ellie Wiesel Prize in Ethics

The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest is an annual competition that is designed to challenge college students to analyze the urgent ethical issues confronting them in today's complex world. Students are encouraged to write thought-provoking, personal essays. Full-time undergraduate juniors and seniors at accredited colleges and universities in the US are welcome to enter the Essay Contest. First Prize - $ 5,000 Second Prize - $ 2,500 Third Prize - $ 1,500 Two Honorable Mentions - $ 500 each

Love Your Body Poster Contest

Annually, the National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation hosts a "Love Your Body Day" poster contest. The poster will be used as part of the campaign to challenge the use of violent, drug addicted, starved images of women and to fight against the industries that profit from women's dissatisfaction with their bodies. Posters should be graphically attractive and/or simply use a dynamic message. We especially look for images that demonstrate beauty is not limited by body size, body type, ethnicity, age or physical ability. Prizes: Category I - $400 prize for open competition (non-student) Category II - $400 prize for undergraduate or graduate level student Category III - $200 prize for high school level student Category IV - $100 prize for elementary and middle school student. Deadline for entries usually in spring of each year.

National Inventors Hall of Fame Collegiate Inventors Competition

The Collegiate Inventors Competition is a national competition that recognizes and rewards innovations, discoveries and research by college and university students and their faculty advisors. Students frequently come from science, engineering, mathematics and technology studies but creative invention can emerge from any course of study. Students must be enrolled, or have been enrolled, full-time (in any college or university) at least part of the 12-month period prior to the date the entry is submitted. In the case of a team, with a maximum of four students, at least one member of the team must meet the full-time eligibility criteria. Awards are given in form of a cash gift to winners (does not have to be used toward tuition/student fees). Amounts of awards are: Collegiate Inventors Competition Grand Prize award: $50,000 student; $5,000 advisor. Graduate Category Collegiate Inventors Competition award winners: $25,000 student or student team; $5,000 advisor. Undergraduate Category Collegiate Inventors Competition award winners: $15,000 student or student team; $5,000 advisor.

OP Loftbed Scholarship Award

The OP Loftbed $500 Scholarship Award is awarded by the OP Loftbed Company to a student whom the judges feel provided the most interesting answers to a set of questions. Unlike many other scholarships, they don't discriminate based on GPA, writing skill, involvement in community or service organizations, or other criteria to which many students just don't measure up. They don't ask the traditional scholarship type questions because they want applicants and judges to have fun. They want to make you think, evaluate yourself and see how creative you are.

Corporate

Monster Scholars

The Monster Scholars program awards $2,500 in college scholarships to MyMonster users who show past achievement and believe that today’s the day to expand their knowledge through education. One scholarship will be awarded in each of the following categories: Business, Science and Engineering; Art, Humanities, Social Science and Education, Health and Life Sciences, Government and Public Service, and Trade and Technical Training.

Domestic Violence Survivors

The Women's Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)

The Women's Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) was created in 1999 to help formerly battered women overcome barriers to the education necessary for their becoming employable and financially stable. The primary intent is to help single mothers with young children who have the greatest financial challenges (childcare costs, etc.) to gain work skills so they can support their families. Our funds target women who are in desperate financial situations and absolutely must have both an education and our funds to assist them. To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, the applicant must be a direct survivor of domestic violence (partner abuse). While we abhor abuse from any source, our effort is in assisting those women who are survivors of partner abuse.

Education Credits

Tax Benefits for Higher Education

Description: Various credits are allowed by the IRS for individuals who are receiving and paying for post-secondary education. For additional information go to the IRS website and look up the following benefit programs:

Hope Scholarship Credit
Lifetime Learning Credit
Student Loan Interest Deduction
Education IRAs
IRA Withdrawal For Higher Education Expenses
Qualified Tuition Programs (QTP)
Employer-Provided Education Assistance
Education Savings Bonds

Employed Student

Scholarships for Exceptional McDonald's Employees

The McDonald’s Scholarships for Exceptional McDonald's Employees recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding students in the course of their employment at McDonald’s. Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, community involvement and job performance.

Financial Need

Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program

Access Missouri is a need-based program designed to be simple to understand, provide predictable, portable awards, and increase access to your school of choice. Your financial eligibility is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

FAFSA - FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID

To apply for federal student financial aid, and to apply for many state student aid programs, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information you provide on your FAFSA determines I you are eligible for financial aid. You may complete a paper application form or you may complete the FAFSA on the web. Completing the FAFSA on the Web can save you up to a few weeks of time.

The Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship Programs

Sallie Mae offers a variety of scholarship programs including: Unmet Need, First In My Family, American Dream, 911 Education Fund and more.

USA Funds Access to Education Scholarships

This program awards renewable scholarships to students with financial need. Up to 50 percent of scholarships will be targeted to students who, in addition to demonstrating financial need, are members of an ethnic minority group or are physically disabled. Students must remain continuously enrolled and maintain a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Journalism

The National Association of Black Journalists

NABJ annually awards several scholarships to African American college students, and one four-year sustaining scholarship to high school students who are planning to pursue a career in journalism. Any foreign or U.S. student currently a senior in high school or attending an accredited four-year college or university is eligible to compete for an NABJ scholarship. For information on available scholarships go to the NABJ website.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) offers several scholarships through our Rubén Salazar Scholarship program. These opportunities are designed to encourage and inspire Hispanic students to pursue careers in the field of print, photo, broadcast or online journalism.

Minority Students

BlackStudents.com Scholarship Essay Contest

The scholarship is NOT an academic scholarship - It is entirely based on an essay submission, award amount is $500. To be eligible for the scholarship award, one or both of your parents must be African-American. The award is not open to students who live in Africa. You must live in the United States, and attend or plan to attend a school in the United States. The institution you choose can be any trade school, college, or university.

The Gates Millennium Scholars

Students are nominated for this Scholarship award by principals, teachers, guidance counselors, tribal higher education representatives, and other professional educators. An individual is eligible to be nominated if he/she is: African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American; is a citizen or legal permanent resident or national of U.S.; has attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; will enter an accredited college or university full-time, degree-seeking freshman in fall; has a significant financial need; has demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Description: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute was created in 2001 to extend the impact of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) on the achievement of Latinos in the United States. The following are scholarships offered through this fund:
1. Environmental Management Scholarship: Eligible applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

Academic record
Academic plans and career goals
Financial need (for educational purposes)
Commitment to DOE’s goal of environmental restoration and waste management
Compelling personal statement; correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
Letter of recommendation

2. Next Generation of Public Servants: By establishing a pathway for Latino college students who are academically accomplished in the disciplines needed to serve agency missions, HSF Institute addresses government's current and future human capital needs through the Next Generation of Public Servants model. Provides scholarships of $3,000 to students enrolled in community colleges who plan to transfer to four-year institutions, as well as students already enrolled in four-year institutions. Targets college sophomores seeking baccalaureate degrees in disciplines that support the missions of partnering federal agencies.

National Black MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Association, Inc.: St. Louis Chapter

Eligibility requirements include the following: Applicant must be an African-American or Caribbean-American and be enrolled in a graduate business school program. Applicant must submit an essay on a topic provided by the scholarship committee. Applicant must submit an official transcript from his or her graduate institution. Applicant must submit a resume of extracurricular/volunteer activities.

National Italian American Foundation

To be considered for a NIAF scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled in an US accredited institution of higher education for the Fall 2004.
Have a grade-point average of at least 3.25 out of 4.0 (or the equivalent).
Be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien.
Fit into one of the two NIAF scholarship categories:
- General Category I: Italian American students who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements. Area of study: open. For the purposes of the NIAF Scholarship Program, to be “Italian American” the student must have at least one ancestor who has immigrated from Italy.
- General Category II: Those students from any ethnic background majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies or a related field, who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements.

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)

The Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc. (OCA) is a national non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization of concerned Chinese Americans. Various businesses/corporations provide OCA with funding for scholarship programs. Most are for first-time college students. Visit the OCA website for scholarship descriptions and applications.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Scholarship Programs

Local Chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities with support from RMHC Global, McDonald's Corporation and McDonald's Owner/Operators, offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged communities who face limited access to educational and career opportunities. RMHC Scholarships include: the African-American Future Achievers Scholarship, the ASIA (Asian Students Increasing Achievement) Scholarship Program, and the HACER (Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources) Scholarship Program.

The Sallie Mae Fund American Dream Scholarship Program

The Sallie Mae Fund established The Sallie Mae Fund American Dream Scholarship Program through the United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF). The scholarship program aims to increase the number of African-American students attending college. The American Dream Scholarship will be available to graduating African-American high school seniors that meet the following criteria: Have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, attend any two- or four-year accredited college or university in the United States, and have a demonstrated financial need.

The Sallie Mae Fund First in Family Scholarship Program

The First in My Family campaign, geared to raise awareness among the Hispanic-American community of higher education opportunities, was developed in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund, The Latino Education Achievement Project (LEAP), and the Self-Reliance Foundation, a nonprofit that works with the Hispanic Radio Network.

United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

The United Negro College Fund awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students primarily attending a UNCF member college or university as well as to those students attending other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and majority institutions. Some scholarships may be open to students attending non-UNCF institutions or non-HBCUs.

Nursing

There are many scholarship and loan opportunities for nursing majors. Contact the Nursing department at the campus you plan to attend for more information and/or talk with employers of nurses, such as hospitals, for information on loan forgiveness programs.

Plastics Technology

Society of Plastics Engineers

Scholarships of $1500 for academic year are open to U.S. citizens pursuing a two or four-year degree, or certificate, in plastics technology. Grants may be continued for a second year. Factors considered in selecting scholarship recipients: Advisor's comments on student's intellectual and personal attributes for career success, academic record, letter from student describing his/her interest in a career in plastics, extracurricular activities, and industrial internships completed.

Science

American Chemical Society Scholars Program

The American Chemical Society sponsors a scholarship program for qualified applicants who want to enter the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or other chemically related fields such as environmental science, materials science or toxicology. Students interested in two-year college programs for chemical technology may also qualify for scholarships. The program is designed to encourage African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students to pursue undergraduate college degrees in the chemical sciences and chemical technology.

The Women's Opportunity Awards Program

Eligible applicants must be female heads of household, who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate degree program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, and cannot have already earned an undergraduate degree. Only residents of Soroptimist International of the Americas' 19 member countries and territories are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted each year from July 1 until December 1. Applications received after December 1 and before July 1 will not be considered.

St. Louis Community College

Students can apply for foundation scholarships directly through their campus financial aid offices.

Survivor Grants

Public Service Survivor Grant Program

Provides tuition grants to dependent children and spouses of public safety officers or Missouri Department of Transportation employees engaged in the construction or maintenance of the state's highways, roads and bridges who were killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.

Vietnam Veterans Survivor Grant Program

Available to children and spouses of Vietnam veterans whose death was attributed to or caused by exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam conflict. No application deadline, however, early submission of the completed application is encouraged.

Sweepstakes

Bank of America Financial Aid Sweepstakes

Enter the Bank of America Financial Aid Sweepstakes. There may be something grand in it for you - five students will win $1,000 scholarships. Prizes: (5) Grand Prizes: Each winner will receive $1,000 (awarded as a check) which may be used toward college tuition. Total value of all prizes, $5,000. Prizes are not transferable and no substitution of prizes is allowed without the prior written approval of Sponsor. All federal, state and local taxes on prize, if any, and any expenses not specified herein, are the responsibility of the individual winners.

Teacher Education

Missouri Middle School Association Art Pfaff Scholarship

To be eligible to receive the Art Pfaff Scholarship, the applicant must: Be currently enrolled in an education program, which upon completion, will qualify the applicant for entry level, middle level certification in the State of Missouri. Must be classified, according to semester hours earned, as a sophomore or higher by the college or university in which the applicant is enrolled. Must have an accumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, through the fall semester prior to the submission of the application. Have made a commitment to be trained as a middle level teacher and to teach at the middle level. Be available to attend the spring conference of the Missouri Middle School Association.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Missouri Project

T.E.A.C.H. is a scholarship and compensation opportunity for licensed center-based and family child care home providers. T.E.A.C.H. links education, compensation and commitment to improving the quality of early childhood care and education programs for young children.

Women

AAWCC (American Association of Women in Community Colleges)

To be eligible, you must: Be female and have been enrolled at St. Louis Community College for two semesters with a minimum of 12 credit hours completed without completing a degree. Be currently enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate potential for leadership (leadership as demonstrate by two recommendation letters from STLCC faculty/staff explaining your potential for leadership and academic success). Be able to demonstrate community involvement.

Business and Professional Women's Foundation Educational Programs

The BPW Foundation created the Career Advancement Scholarship Program to award financial assistance to disadvantaged women who want to further their education. Scholarships are provided to women who wish to advance in their career, or will soon enter or re-enter the workforce. Female applicants must:

Be 25 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen.
Demonstrate critical need for financial assistance.
Demonstrate clear career plans.
Be officially accepted into a program or course of study in an accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Graduate within 12 to 24 months from the date of grant.

Talbots Women's Scholarship

In keeping with its long-standing tradition of serving the community, Talbots has established a unique, national $100,000 scholarship program: a fund just for women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago, and who are now seeking a college degree. Applicants to the Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund must:

Be women currently residing in the U.S.
Be women who have earned a high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago.
Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-or part-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.
Have at least two semesters (or a minimum of 24 credit hours) remaining to complete their undergraduate* degree as of beginning of fall academic term.

* Students who have previously obtained a bachelor's degree are not eligible to apply. Only the first 1,000 eligible applications received will be processed.

Loans

The Scholarship Foundation

When To Apply: by April 15 for fall or November 15 for spring. Plan to enroll in or be currently enrolled in a degreed program at a not for profit, accredited college, vocational or technical school. All fields of study, except ministry, are eligible for funding.

Foundation Fact Sheet:

The Foundation operates an interest-free loan program, awarding
$3.2 million per year.
Operating on a nondiscriminatory basis, The Foundation provides assistance to applicants of all ages with significant financial need who demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and good character.
Through the interest-free loan program, students pursuing undergraduate and vocational/technical degrees can apply to borrow up to $7,000 per academic year. In total, a student may borrow a maximum of $40,000 from the Foundation.
You must be working on your first associate or first bachelor's degree. Students pursuing graduate degrees are not eligible to apply

To Apply You Must Meet These Criteria:

Be a citizen of the United States or in possession of an Alien Registration Card.
Be a permanent resident of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, Lincoln County, St. Charles County or Warren County in Missouri or the Illinois counties of Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, or St. Clair for at least two years prior to the date of application.
Demonstrate financial need.
Be a responsible borrower, without history of educational loan default or bankruptcy.
Have achieved a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Plan to enroll in or be currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college, graduate, professional, vocational or technical school. All fields of study, except ministry, are eligible for funding.