CollegeXpress: Financial Aid Blog

4 Ways to Pay for College That Won’t Leave You Trapped in Debt

2024-01-02T05:28:34.627682-05:00

College admission season is coming up, and with it, the looming question is: How am I going to finance my education? To most, the answer lies in some combination of savings, financial aid, and—most significantly—loans. Far too often, families dive headlong into debt. As of September 2022, the federal student loan balance was $1.6345 trillion, with some 43.5 million borrowers owing an average of $37,575 in federal debt (and that’s not even including private student loans). Those figures represent a sobering number of college students who are struggling to pay off burdensome loans, a fact that holds grave implications for their future. But you can avoid this in the future.

The loan problem goes beyond students

We refer to all this as a “student” loan problem, but sadly, it’s not only students who are caught in this net. Parents are often trapped in a similar financial bind. After assisting with their young adult’s education, roughly 10% of undergraduate parents face the burden of their own onerous loans, with recent estimates indicating that Parent PLUS Loans exceed an average of $30,000. According to the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances, which measures household debt, the average household education loan debt was $40,549.84 in 2019, and it was held by 21.4% of households. That’s a lot of folks owing a whole lot of money.

One important reason that’s often overlooked in the conversation about financing higher education is that families and students have been conditioned by several flawed assumptions that often shape their decision-making processes. Collectively, I call these assumptions the Student Loan Matrix, and I discuss them in my new book Graduate Debt Free.

What can you do to avoid college debt?

The good news is neither parents nor students have to go into debt to finance a college education. There are numerous financial alternatives that most families aren’t aware of or don’t consider that can significantly reduce—or even eliminate—student debt. So before you sign off on that loan, make sure you have fully considered all your options, including my top four loan-free ways to finance college:

1. Education “à la carte”

Many fast-food franchises offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and, most importantly, college scholarship opportunities. One advantage to this route is it provides money toward college while also gaining experience and seniority in your job. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Chipotle, In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Papa John’s are just a few of the chains that offer various amounts of scholarship money to qualifying employees. Some offer as much as $5,250 per year toward college costs.

2. Big-box business scholarships

If you’re not fundamentally a fan of serving fried food for many hours each week, consider getting a job at a big-box business that has scholarship opportunities available to employees instead. Companies such as Walmart and Target offer scholarships for full- and part-time employees. Industrious students can fund their educational journey and begin earning valuable work experience by investing their time at these companies for a few years early on.

3. Other employer-provided education assistance benefits

Provided under IRS Code Section 127, some level of tuition reimbursement is also offered by a plethora of other employers, from restaurants and grocery stores to gas companies, banks, and airlines. These programs are often less generous than those focused on scholarships but can be valuable nonetheless. A great place to start looking is Hip2Save’s list of over 40 companies that offer their employees some level of tuition reimbursement. At job interviews, inquire if they offer any Section 127 benefits. Bonus: It will impress the interviewer!

4. Military service

Many aspiring college students find they can fund their education through opportunities with the US Armed Forces. Service members can earn college credits through technical military training courses and apply for tuition assistance that can vastly reduce (up to 75%) their college price tag. College scholarships through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program offer full and partial coverage of college costs and can lead to a commission in the Armed Forces. Regular enlistees who serve continuously for 90 days may be eligible for the Post–9/11 GI Bill, which covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at four-year public universities and offers allowances for housing and book fees. Additionally, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help pay for higher out-of-state, private, international, or graduate school tuition and fees that the bill doesn’t cover.

All families would be wise to consider not only these and other alternatives to the risky endeavor of taking on debt but also think beyond the matrix that leads far too many Americans down the path of groupthink about college and the financial choices involved. Branch out, explore your options, and save yourself some financial stress!

Scholarships are a great way to pay for college debt-free. Start searching for awards you’re eligible for using our Scholarship Search tool!

How to Work With Your High School Counselor on the Scholarship Search

2024-01-02T05:28:34.625963-05:00

Between finding legitimate sites and meeting the application criteria, the scholarship search can be very daunting. But instead of doing the research all on your own, include your school counselor; they have years of experience and will surely help you find the perfect scholarships for you. It’s never too late (or too early) to start the process, so let's begin!

Think local to start

Though you may think the best place to begin your scholarship search is the internet, you're wrong. You and a billion other students have the same idea, which dwindles your chances of winning money for college. That’s why you should start with a visit to your school counselor, who will have a list of local businesses and community organizations that offer scholarship opportunities. Some may only be for seniors, but your counselor may also know about some hidden gems for underclassmen. Starting local not only gives you a smaller applicant pool but also gives you the chance to build relationships with those organizations. Then if you need signatures for volunteer hours or a dazzling recommendation letter for college, you’ll know who to go to!

Tap into your alumni network

This option may sound difficult, but with help from your counselor, it should be easy breezy. To get started, provide your counselor with a “brag sheet” so they can understand your interests and get to know you more personally. Based on your interests, experiences, and intended majors, they should be able to get you in contact with an alumnus who matches your profile. This not only allows you to build a connection but could also pave the way for future networking opportunities. If this person doesn’t know about any scholarships, they could still get you in contact with other colleagues, donors, or organizations that help ambitious students. That's the power of networking—it’s just like a long game of telephone until something sticks.

Snag a commencement program

Between the stickiness and confusion of a high school commencement ceremony is this hidden gem: graduation programs! While you’re busy cheering on your beloved siblings or friends, be sure to set aside some time to snag a program (or ask your counselor, who most likely has some in their office). Almost all programs include a section on awards and accomplishments for the graduating class. These are the students who’ve won significant accolades—and they also share your geographical location, high school, and GPA. Peruse the list and see what you may be eligible for. You could take it one more step and ask that person or your counselor about the application process and any details about being a recipient. Sometimes winning a scholarship entails an invitation to a special dinner or delivering a speech of thanks—all great things to be aware of.

Gain membership

Sometimes gatekeeping can put you at a higher advantage for winning scholarships. It may sound cruel, but many school and community clubs don’t disclose whether they provide scholarships for their members. This is a way of weeding out those who aren’t passionate so the most devoted ones have a chance to reap the benefits of their work. In some cases, only officers of certain clubs are eligible for or granted scholarships. This is why networking is vital to the scholarship search. You should consult your counselor to see if they know about any clubs that provide grants for members. If they do, try joining as soon as possible!

Remember: The more niche, the better

We’ve all seen a type of scholarship that has so many requirements that it seems like 0.0000001% of the population is eligible. It’s frustrating, but that's where your trusty counselor comes in. Based on your academic profile and background, they can compose a list of sites and specific scholarships that you could be a perfect candidate for. Don’t be afraid to throw caution to the wind and apply to the most specific scholarships too, even if you aren't an equestrian with three years of experience, a pet octopus, and training as a Certified Nurse Assistant. You don’t want to waste your time, of course, but if you can relate to the requirements even a little bit, you can take those elements and spin your application essay into something that works. This way, you can let your personality shine through and hopefully be the recipient!

Remember, you do not have to do the scholarship search all on your own. Use your resources and talk with your counselor—that's what they are there for. They can help you win some money and have some bragging rights because they helped you along the way. Just remember to be consistent throughout your search and apply for as many scholarships as possible, even the “no-essay” contests; you never know when you may be picked!

After you visit your high school counselor, deepen your search with the CollegeXpress Scholarship Search tool, featuring over $7 billion worth of awards—including local and school-specific opportunities!

How to Pay for College Infographic: The Best Order of Operations

2024-01-02T05:28:34.624317-05:00

This article originally appeared on TheCollegeInvestor.com.

When it comes to how to pay for college, most people think the only option is to take out mountains of student loans. But they should actually be your last option. Student loans accrue a lot of interest and take years to pay off. A study from the One Wisconsin Institute found that it takes graduates of Wisconsin universities 19.7 years to pay off a bachelor's degree and 23 years to pay off a graduate degree.

Knowing that student loans will likely still be a source of funding, there is a certain order of operations to follow when seeking out funding sources for college. After reviewing your financial aid award packages, you'll have to think about how you're going to pay for school.

Paying for college: The ideal order of operations

In the infographic below, we’ve provided the main groups of funding sources. Start with the top group and work your way down to the last (i.e., worst) option, which is student loans. By following this guide, there’s a chance you can reduce the amount of student loans needed to finance college. For a lucky few, student loans may not even be necessary.

It's important to note that this is more like a "pie" than a strict order. The more you can contribute from the previous slices, the less you'll have to borrow. And there are no strict rules here, but you should use free money before other funds whenever possible.

Infographic by The College Investor

1. Scholarships and grants

Gift aid is often part of your financial aid award package. This is money that does not have to be paid back. It includes grants, scholarships, and any source of private funding. Don't forget to apply for private scholarships and grants—don't just depend on your school. This sounds crazy, but I recommend high schoolers apply to at least 50 scholarships, even if you're planning on being a part-time student.

2. The student’s college savings

Saving for college requires planning. If you’re one of a small group who has accumulated money for college, it’s time to put it to work. Maybe you've been saving your graduation money, or you've received birthday funds over time. Maybe Grandma even left you some money to pay for college when you were younger. If you have your own student savings, using it to pay for college is a great first step.

3. The student’s earnings

Additionally, using your current income will help cut down on any loans you might need. If you don’t have any savings, use what you can from your current income to help fund college. A lot of students forget that they can earn money before going to college or even work on or off campus.

4. Your parents’ college savings

Next on the list is any money your parents may have put aside for school. Many parents have started saving for college for their students at a young age. Leveraging money in a tax-deferred plan like a 529 savings account can be a great way to pay for the majority of school (if the money is there). Your parents might also have other savings set aside for your education. It's important to have conversations about parental contributions early so everyone involved in the "paying for college" debate knows what to expect.

5. Your parents’ current income

Along with a student's income, a parent's income is also a primary source of paying for college. Even if parents have saved a lot, they may be able to contribute a little bit toward the cost of college every year simply through their current salary. Some parents may be able to contribute much more than others, but every little bit that can be sent in to avoid borrowing for school is a huge win.

6. Fellowships and assistantships

If you’re attending graduate school, a fellowship is a great source of funding. These positions are awarded to graduate students based on merit and allow you to focus on your studies rather than having to work or teach. Fellowships do not have to be paid back. While they are prestigious, don’t think you aren’t qualified for a fellowship—they are certainly worth applying to. Speak with your educational counselor or advisor about which ones may have the highest potential for successful acceptance. Assistantships are also usually reserved for graduate students. These programs are similar to work-study (see below), except they are teaching positions in which you’ll teach lower-level classes in an area you’re familiar with.

7. Aid through school work-related programs

At this point, you’ve exhausted all forms of funding that don’t require work exchange or loans. We’re now moving into funding sources that will require some sort of payback. Work-study programs are common on college campuses and are usually tied into your financial aid package. They allow you to work on campus within your class schedule. Pay is usually minimum wage, but you can’t beat the flexibility provided by these programs. While it’s a smaller source of funding, depending on your class schedule, it might be the only type of job you can take on.

8. Federal student loans

We’ve come to one of the last options as a source for funding college. A loan must be paid back, will accrue interest, and often has some type of origination fee. For many students and families, it’s difficult to avoid taking on loans. Federal loans have fairly low interest rates, which often do not exceed the single digits. Regarding loans for college, you aren’t likely to find a better deal anywhere else.

9. Private student loans

Private loans are another and final option. These may be loans from banks or other lenders that are non-government based. They typically have higher interest rates than government loans and won’t provide the same advantages such as loan forgiveness, hardship options, and flexible repayment plans. Private student loans should really be a last resort, and before borrowing, you should really do a full Return On Investment Calculation of your college expenses to see if it’s worth it.

Paying for college can be a challenge. It's a huge sum of money, and there are a lot of different ways to go about it. But even those most expensive colleges have the potential to be significantly more affordable with financial aid. The bottom line is that you don't need to borrow the entire amount for school—there are many ways to pay for college if you work at it.

Read the full article here, and avoid student loans as much as possible by using our Scholarship Search tool, featuring over $7 billion in awards!

Scholarship Saturday: September 2023

2024-01-02T05:28:34.622633-05:00

Each month, CollegeXpress highlights upcoming awards and contests as part of “Scholarship Saturday” to help make your search a little easier. Check out the featured awards below, and be sure to apply if you’re eligible. Good luck!

Upcoming deadlines

$1,000 | Uncensored
Deadline: October 31
How to enter: Read a banned book from the list to celebrate diverse perspectives and expand your cultural awareness, then share how you'll discuss the value these books and stories have on society with your peers.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be between the ages of 13–25.

$2,000 | CX Back-to-School Scholarship
Deadline: September 30
How to enter: Create a free CX account (or log back in) and answer one question: What is your favorite subject in school?
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be 13 years or older and a US resident.

$1,500 | Shout It Out Scholarship
Deadline: September 30
How to enter: Write a response to this question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents, 13 years of age or older, and currently enrolled (or planning to enroll) at an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education.

$500 | Book Lovers Scholarship
Deadline: September 30
How to enter: Answer this question: If you could have everyone in the world read one book, what book would you choose and why?
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be high school, undergraduate, or graduate students.

$1,000 | Don't Text and Drive Scholarship
Deadline: September 30
How to enter: Write a 140-character message about texting while driving.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be high school, college, graduate, or homeschooled students as well as US citizens or legal residents.

Want to continue the scholarship search? Find even more awards using our Scholarship Search tool, and check in with CollegeXpress next month for another Scholarship Saturday.

Important FAFSA Updates for Students With Divorced or Separated Parents

2024-01-02T05:28:34.620964-05:00

If you’re a college-bound student applying or returning to school this fall, you need to complete the FAFSA. Normally, it’s available starting October 1, but this year, the opening date has been moved to December due to big changes being made to improve the form. The FAFSA Simplification Act cuts the application down so there are fewer questions for parents, but if you’re a teen with separated or divorced parents, some aspects make it more difficult to determine which parent should complete the form. Here are the answers to some questions you may be asking.

Who is your parent according to the FAFSA form?

In the past, the “custodial parent” was determined by who you lived with most consistently. But on the updated FAFSA, the definition of that term will be different. According to StudentAid.gov, these guidelines will help you when completing the FAFSA:

If your biological and/or adoptive parents are married to each other, you answer the questions about both of them.
If your legal parent is widowed or was never married, answer the questions about just that parent.
If your parents were never married or are now separated or divorced, only provide information for the parent who provides the most financial support.
If, however, your non-married parents still live together in the same household, both parents will be required to submit their information regardless of marital status.

In the past, the parent with custody (or who you lived with) would file and report their income and assets on the FAFSA. According to the new FAFSA rules, the parent who provides the most financial support in the relevant tax year should complete the FAFSA instead of just the parent who has custody. In the case of equal financial support, the tie is broken based on whichever parent has the higher adjusted gross income. For purposes of completing the FAFSA, the following criteria no longer apply:

Which parent the student lives with the most
Which parent has legal custody
Which parent claims the student on their taxes

Additional questions you may need answers to

The situations discussed above are just the most common for students with separated or divorced parents. Here are some quick answers to questions for students in more specific scenarios:

What if my parent is remarried? A custodial parent who is remarried should report income and asset information for both themselves and their spouse. This is true even if the new spouse has not adopted the student. The FAFSA requires the entire household’s financial information for financial aid consideration.
What if my stepparent is widowed? If your stepparent was married to your biological/adoptive parent but is now widowed, that stepparent doesn’t count as a parent on your FAFSA unless they have legally adopted you prior to completing the application.
What if I live with someone other than my parents? It doesn’t matter if you don’t live with your parent(s)—you still must report information about them. The following people are not considered your parents unless they have legally adopted you: grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older siblings, uncles or aunts, and widowed stepparents.
How will these changes affect my financial aid? Unfortunately, these changes have the potential to decrease the amount of financial aid available to children of divorced or separated parents.

Other big changes coming to the FAFSA

Here’s a quick summary of the other upcoming FAFSA changes pertaining to all families:

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI) for need-based program calculations.
Income information will be directly transferred from the IRS to align the FAFSA with tax return data, making it an easier, automatic process.
Family size will be calculated based on the number of dependents listed on a parent’s tax return.
Child support will be reported as an asset, not income.

These changes could put a hardship on families with separated or divorced parents by increasing the amount you may have to pay as calculated for your Student Aid Index. Be sure to do your due diligence to arm yourself with FAFSA knowledge before you complete the forms so you can make an informed decision once your financial aid offers come in the mail.

Confused by some of the terms in this blog? Check out All the Important Financial Aid Terms You Need to Know right here!

Scholarship Saturday: October 2023

2024-01-02T05:28:34.619367-05:00

Scholarships are an incredibly important part of being able to afford your college journey. Unlike student loans, you don’t need to pay scholarship money back, so you should apply to as many as possible! Each month, CollegeXpress highlights upcoming awards and contests as part of “Scholarship Saturday” to help make your search a little easier. Check out the featured awards below, and be sure to apply if you’re eligible. Good luck!

Upcoming deadlines

$1,000 | CX Candy Corn Contest
Deadline: October 31
How to enter: Choose a side! Is candy corn tasty or is it trash?
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US residents 13 years or older.

$2,000 | Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Deadline: October 31
How to enter: Write 250 words or fewer on the following topic: Imagine that your high school/college has been overrun with zombies. Flesh out a plan to avoid the zombies, including where you would hide and the top five things you would bring with you to stay alive.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US residents and 14 years of age or older.

$1,000 | MyMozaic Scholarship
Deadline: October 31
How to enter: Just submit your email address on the sponsor’s application page.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US citizens ages 13 and older.

$1,500 | Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Deadline: October 31
How to enter: Record an original short video on one of the following topics: tips for transfer students to overcome anxiety; how to prioritize homework assignments; or how to reward yourself for big or small achievements.
Who’s eligible: Applicants can be current high school, college, or university students from any country.

Want to continue the scholarship search? Find even more awards using our Scholarship Search tool, and check in with CollegeXpress next month for another edition of Scholarship Saturday!

Scholarship Saturday: November 2023

2024-01-02T05:28:34.617687-05:00

Upcoming Deadlines:

$1,000 | Uncensored
Deadline: December 8
How to enter: Read a banned book by a Native American and Indigenous author and share how you'll discuss the value of these books and stories with your peers during Native American Heritage Month.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 25.

$500 | CX Holiday Wishlist Scholarship
Deadline: November 30
How to enter: Applicant must be 13 years or older and a resident of the US. Answer the question: What’s the #1 gift you would like to receive this holiday season?
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be 13 years or older and a US resident.

$1,000 | SuperCollege Scholarship
Deadline: November 30
How to enter: Fill out the application form on the sponsor’s website.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be high school students, college undergraduates, graduate students or adult students residing in the U.S. and attending or planning to attend any accredited college or university within the next 12 months.

$1,000 | College Ave Monthly Scholarship Sweepstakes
Deadline: November 30
How to enter: Complete the application on the sponsor’s website.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be US citizens and enrolled in high school or a post-secondary educational institution.

$500 | Right to Work Essay/Video Contest
Deadline: November 30
How to enter: Write one page or submit a video explaining the right-to-work principle and how it benefits individuals in the United States.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be attending a US high school, college, or graduate school.

Want to continue the scholarship search? Find even more awards using our Scholarship Search tool, and check in with CollegeXpress next month for another Scholarship Saturday.

Fun Scholarship Opportunities for Students Who Love to Write

2024-01-02T05:28:34.615933-05:00

Are you filled with endless narratives and plot lines so wild that you can’t wait to put pen to paper (or rapidly click keys)? If so, this list is for you! Below, you’ll find five great opportunities to use your writing skills to win free money for college. The scholarship search can often be shrouded in seriousness, but it doesn’t have to be. The committees reviewing your applications want to get a sense of your personality and creative aptitude. If that means including silly jokes or rambling about an obscure topic—do it! Scholarship sponsors want to see authenticity rather than what you think they want to see. With that said, open up a new document, get cozy, and check out these incredible writing-based scholarship opportunities.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

To start off strong, this site is jam-packed with scholarship opportunities for creatives of all ages. High school seniors can win a $12,500 scholarship by submitting a collection of six works to the Portfolio Scholarship. This one is broken down into two categories just for artists and writers; however, applicants of either category are expected to submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words to supplement their work. And it’s never too soon to start making summer plans—the same organization offers The Scholastic Awards Summer Scholarship Program for teens in seventh to 11^th grade. Students who excel at writing and art have a chance to win a full-tuition scholarship to attend programs based on their interest area. Get started by creating your applicant portal here.

Go On Girl! Book Club Scholarships

Go On Girl! Book Club (GOG), the nation's largest reading group for women of color, provides a $2,000 Aspiring Writer Scholarship for full-time students attending any Historically Black College or University in the United States. To be considered, candidates must submit a 500–1,000-word essay based on one of the organization's selected prompts. The book club also sponsors the Unpublished Writers Award, which allows up-and-coming writers to be published and featured in several print and online publications, including the GOG website. Be sure to bookmark these pages and check in periodically for annual opportunities!

Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Everybody likes a good joke now and then—especially this scholarship committee. To cut through the seriousness of applications, Unigo funds the Make Me Laugh Scholarship to allow applicants to share funny stories that will undoubtedly make the committee wheeze in amusement. The recipient with the best comedic chops will be awarded $1,500 toward their college education. Students must be residents of the United States and at least 14 years old to apply. Be sure to log in or create your Unigo account before the annual August 31 deadline.

Once Upon a #BookTok Scholarship

From none other than Bold.org comes the Once Upon a #BookTok Scholarship. Taking inspiration from BookTok—a community for literary novices on TikTok—this award wants applicants to discuss how the outlet has impacted their literary taste. Compose a full bookshelf of your absolute favorites and share your passion with the committee. You could write about specific books that resonate with you, character arcs that make you giddy, or a creative pitch to meld two novels together. Whatever you do, make sure you have fun with it within 400–600 words. This scholarship operates on a rolling monthly deadline (the first day of each month) with the winners announced in August, so be sure to apply early to increase your chances of consideration.

Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

If you’re a lover of 18^th-century classics or a current or former AP Literature student, then you are more than familiar with the works of Jane Austen. Given that background or even a newfound appreciation, you should definitely apply to the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Annual Essay Contest. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that individuals of all ages from all over the world have exposure to Austen’s novels and access to all things related to the author. Students worldwide are welcome to compete for the scholarship, which allows for numerous winners based on three educational divisions: High School, College/University, and Graduate School. First place in each division will earn $1,000, $500 for second, and $250 for third, plus JASNA-associated perks. Next year’s topic will be released in February, so in the meantime, review the archive of winning essays to get your creative juices flowing.

There you have it—more than five unique opportunities that will allow you to flex your writing skills and hopefully win money for it. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “strong” writer, take a chance and apply because you never know if your work may resonate with the judges. You can even reuse essays and creative writing pieces from class, as many scholarship prompts likely involve something you’ve written about before. As you go through the scholarship process, be kind to yourself and work smarter, not harder!

Looking for even more scholarships to apply for? Check out our monthly scholarship listings to win free money for college throughout the year!

Scholarship Saturday: December 2023

2024-01-02T05:28:34.614244-05:00

Upcoming deadlines

$2,000 | Brake It Down
Deadline: December 31
How to enter: Take a quiz about how well you know your bestie and share a customized guide with them featuring tips and advice to stay safe on and around the roads.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be between the ages of 13–25.

$2,000 | CX Winter Break Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
How to enter: Just create a free CX account (or log back in) and answer this question in just one sentence: What’s the best way to spend your time during winter break?
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US residents 13 years or older.

$1,500 | Top Ten List Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
How to enter: Submit a short written response about the top 10 reasons you deserve this scholarship.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents, 13 years of age or older, and currently enrolled (or planning to enroll) at an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education.

$2,000 | CampusReel Student-Led Virtual Tour Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
How to enter: Watch one student-led virtual tour.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school.

$1,000 | Scholarship Detective Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
How to enter: Complete the online application, including a statement of 140 characters or fewer on how you plan to use the scholarship money.
Who’s eligible: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Want to continue the scholarship search? Find even more awards using our Scholarship Search tool, and check in with CollegeXpress next month for another edition of Scholarship Saturday.

CollegeXpress Easy Scholarship Contests and Winners 2024

2024-01-02T05:28:34.612354-05:00

CollegeXpress is excited to announce another year of fun giveaways for students! Yup—we're offering more easy scholarship contests each month in 2024. Entering is a breeze—just sign up for a free CollegeXpress account (or log back in) and respond to our featured question with a single word or sentence. These are super-easy questions like “What’s your favorite college mascot?” or "What do you plan to do this summer?" with no right or wrong answer! And a bonus: We may use your answers to create blogs, infographics, and other fun content on CollegeXpress!

At the end of each month's scholarship contest, a winner will be randomly chosen from all the entries. The best part is that any registered student from the US can win, even if you're not a high school senior yet! If you happen to be the lucky winner, we'll notify you via email and feature your name in this blog. Stay informed by checking the monthly list below, and don't forget to bookmark this page to find out who our latest winner is. Ready to win?

January 2024

Fresh Start to 2024 Scholarship

Amount: $2,024
Question: How do you plan to make 2024 a great year?
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Winner: To be determined—enter now!

Can I enter if I already have a CX account?

Yes! If you're already a member of the CollegeXpress community, simply log back in and locate the link for the latest monthly scholarship contest in this blog or on our Featured Scholarships page—there's no need to sign up again. And if you don't win this month, don't worry! There will be another opportunity to win next month. Just remember, the deadline for each contest is the last day of the month, and we'll select and contact the winner shortly after that. You can't win if you don't enter, so be sure to get your entry in ASAP. Good luck!

Looking for other fun scholarships to apply for? Check out this list of Some of the Weirdest College Scholarship Opportunities, and learn how to earn even more money for college with the articles and advice in our Financial Aid section.