---
title: Online SAT / ACT Prep Blog by PrepScholar | Financial Aid
description: Financial Aid | PrepScholar helps you prep for the SAT / ACT by answering the most important questions online!
---
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## [17 Top Scholarships for High School Seniors](https://blog.prepscholar.com/top-scholarships-for-high-school-seniors)
Posted by [Francesca Fulciniti](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti) | September 6, 2023
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/top-scholarships-for-high-school-seniors)
Aside from [grants](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-pell-grant) and [loans](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-student-loan-step-by-step-guide), private scholarships are some of the best ways to help fund your college education. There are thousands of scholarships out there for high school seniors, all with different eligibility requirements, deadlines, and award amounts, so it's definitely worth your time to do some research.
To help you find scholarships—and free money!—for college, we've compiled a list of some of the **best college scholarships for high school seniors based on availability and award amounts**. These scholarships are generally flexible (so you'll be able to use them at any accredited college you attend), and they also don't have any geographical restrictions (so you're eligible to apply no matter where you live in the US).
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/top-scholarships-for-high-school-seniors)
---
## [How to Win a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-win-a-hispanic-scholarship-fund-award)
Posted by [Francesca Fulciniti](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti) | August 2, 2023
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-win-a-hispanic-scholarship-fund-award)
If you’re a high school senior of Hispanic or Latinx heritage, **you'll definitely want to learn more about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)**. With more than 150 types of scholarships available through this program, there’s a lot to learn—and a lot to win!
When you submit an HSF award scholarship, you’re actually submitting yourself for consideration for many different awards (much like when you [submit a FAFSA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/pell-grant-application-how-to-apply)). I’ll talk about all the details you’ll need to take into consideration before submitting your own application for Hispanic scholarships. Then, we'll take a look at application strategies for current high school seniors.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-win-a-hispanic-scholarship-fund-award)
---
## [The 10 Easiest Scholarships to Apply For](https://blog.prepscholar.com/easy-scholarships-to-apply-for)
Posted by [Francesca Fulciniti](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti) | July 11, 2023
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/easy-scholarships-to-apply-for)
Scholarships are awesome resources if you're checking out different ways to pay for college. It's free money after all—what's not to love?
As it turns out, **most scholarship programs have application processes that aren't exactly lovable.** Students generally have to submit a lot of information about themselves: transcripts, GPAs, test scores, resumes, community service activities, and so on. There might even be a few essays and grade requirements thrown in as well. You don't want to complain—because, again, free money—but these applications sure are tedious when you're working on college apps, high school courses, and financial aid applications all at the same time.
**The following easy scholarships have application processes that are a bit more manageable.** Some ask you to write short essays, while others don't require any essays at all! The awards might not be as large as some other scholarships out there, but when the application process is so easy, you really don't have much to lose. I'll start off with some words of warning before getting into the good stuff: **essay and no-essay scholarships that are so easy to apply for, you might end up applying to *all* of them!**
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/easy-scholarships-to-apply-for)
---
## [The 51 Most Expensive Colleges in the United States](https://blog.prepscholar.com/most-expensive-colleges-in-the-united-states)
Posted by [Justin Berkman](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/justin-berkman) | April 19, 2023
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions), [Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/most-expensive-colleges-in-the-united-states)
College is a costly investment. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the [College Board](https://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/2018-trends-in-college-pricing.pdf) reported that the average annual budget was $27,940 for an in-state public college and $57,570 for a private college. These are the averages, but just how much are the most expensive colleges in the US? Which ones have the most expensive college tuition?
Here, **I'll give you a list of the 51 most expensive colleges in the US**. I'll first explain why they're so pricey and then go over how you can attend one regardless of your financial situation.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/most-expensive-colleges-in-the-united-states)
---
## [The 50 Cheapest Colleges in the US](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cheapest-colleges-in-the-us)
Posted by [Justin Berkman](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/justin-berkman) | April 19, 2023
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cheapest-colleges-in-the-us)
Because wages seem to be remaining stagnant and college costs continue to soar, financial concerns are weighing more heavily on families when students make their college decisions. Additionally, student loan debt is increasing and young people are worried about being saddled with astronomical debt when they graduate. That's why so many students are interested in going to one of the cheapest colleges in America.
In this article, **we provide you with a list of the 50 cheapest colleges in the United States.** We also explain the costs of various colleges and how finances should influence your college selection process.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cheapest-colleges-in-the-us)
---
## [The 15 Best Merit Scholarships for College-Bound Students](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-merit-scholarships)
Posted by [Meilee D. Bridges](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/meilee-d-bridges) | March 3, 2023
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-merit-scholarships)
We know that the cost of a college education can seem out of reach for many students. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can reduce the price of your degree, from grants and work-study to student loans. Even better, if you’re an exemplary student, you’ll likely qualify for one or more merit-based scholarships, which are a great way to offset tuition, fees, room, and board.
In this post, we’ll discuss what merit scholarships are and provide a list of the top merit aid programs. We’ll also share our expert recommendations on how to apply so you can maximize your chances of graduating with minimal to no debt. Let’s get started!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-merit-scholarships)
---
## [What Is a Merit-Based Scholarship?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-merit-based-scholarship)
Posted by [Meilee D. Bridges](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/meilee-d-bridges) | February 7, 2023
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-merit-based-scholarship)
There’s no denying it: higher education is pricey. As a college-bound student, you might be concerned about how you and your family can pay for tuition, fees, room, board, and textbooks. The great news is that if you’re a high-achieving student, you might qualify for one or more merit-based scholarships.
But what is a merit scholarship? And how do you qualify for this kind of award? In this article, we’ll answer your questions in detail. We’ll also cover how to find these opportunities and some tips for applying so you can put your best foot forward.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-merit-based-scholarship)
---
## [The Complete Guide to Google Scholarships](https://blog.prepscholar.com/google-scholarships)
Posted by [Francesca Fulciniti](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti) | December 25, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/google-scholarships)
Google is one of the world's software and technology powerhouses—it's not surprising that they offer several scholarships for students interested in pursuing computer science and engineering.
Because Google has the resources to offer very generous awards, **applicants come up against serious competition when gunning for one of their scholarships**. If you're interested in a Google scholarship, you should be as prepared as possible if you want to submit a successful application.
**In this post I'll explain every major Google award in detail before giving you tips and strategies for submitting an awesome application.**
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/google-scholarships)
---
## [8 First Generation Scholarships to Help You Pay for College](https://blog.prepscholar.com/first-generation-scholarships)
Posted by [Hayley Milliman](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hayley-milliman) | December 25, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/first-generation-scholarships)
Paying for college can be challenging for many students. College is expensive and the financial aid process isn't always transparent or easy to navigate.
Fortunately, if you're willing to spend some time looking, there are many different resources out there that can help you figure out how to pay for college. **If you're a first generation college student, there are many first generation scholarship opportunities that you can apply for.**
In this article, we'll explain what first generation college student scholarships are and give a list of scholarships for first generation college students that you can apply for.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/first-generation-scholarships)
---
## [Complete List: Weird Scholarships You Can Win (Updated)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-weirdest-scholarships-you-can-win)
Posted by [Mary Ann Barge](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/mary-ann-barge) | December 18, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-weirdest-scholarships-you-can-win)
You may have thought that scholarships were only for those who had great grades or were top athletes. Well, think again! There are a lot of organizations willing to give you some college cash in recognition of your interesting habits, unusual attributes, or willingness to do something a little bit quirky!
**Here's a complete collection of the best weird, unusual scholarships we could find.** The good news is they're often a lot easier to apply to than other scholarships.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-weirdest-scholarships-you-can-win)
---
## [What Colleges Are Need Aware? How Does It Affect Admissions?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-aware-colleges)
Posted by [Christine Sarikas](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/christine-sarikas) | December 11, 2022
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions), [Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-aware-colleges)
What is a need-aware college? Does a college being need aware mean they won't accept students who need financial aid? **What colleges are need aware? **
There are a lot of misconceptions about need-aware colleges and how they handle applicants who need financial aid. Having the wrong information can lead students to skip applying to schools that could still very well accept them and offer generous aid packages. Read this guide to be fully informed on need-aware colleges.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-aware-colleges)
---
## [Simple Guide: How to Apply for Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-apply-for-financial-aid)
Posted by [Francesca Fulciniti](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti) | December 10, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-apply-for-financial-aid)
You've taken the SAT or ACT (or both). You've researched a list of safety, target, and reach schools. You've written what seems like 100 college essays, and nailed down several letters of recommendation. You think you finally have a minute to take a breather, and then you remember: you have to figure out how to pay for all of this!
Most students know that financial aid is an option, but the whole financial aid application process can be confusing. **What counts as financial aid? Where do you get it? What's the typical application process like? How much can you get?** It's enough to make your head spin, especially if you don't have much guidance on the subject.
In this post, I'll answer all those questions (and more) to start you off on the right foot. Heading off to college should be an exciting new adventure, not a stressful financial burden—**this guide will help you get all the financial aid you need to make this upcoming college transition a pleasant one**.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-apply-for-financial-aid)
---
## [All 116 Need-Blind Colleges in the US: A Complete Guide](https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-blind-colleges-list)
Posted by [Ashley Robinson](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ashley-robinson) | November 13, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid), [College Info](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-info)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-blind-colleges-list)
When universities go through admissions applications, they take many factors into consideration, like your grades, your extracurriculars, and even your personality!
**But many college applicants *don't* realize that some universities also consider you—and your family's—ability to pay tuition as well.** The hard truth is that some universities use an applicant's ability to pay tuition without financial aid as a factor in the admissions process. Many universities consider how students can contribute to their institution financially when they make admissions decisions.
This sounds like scary news. But don't worry! **Many schools are addressing the issue by transitioning to need-blind admissions policies, which remove economic status as an admissions criteria.**
In this guide, we'll give you a **complete list of need-blind colleges in the United States** and answer all of your burning questions, including:
- What is need-blind admission?
- How do need-blind policies affect tuition costs?
- What should you look for in a need-blind school?
So let's get started!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/need-blind-colleges-list)
---
## [The Complete List of Community Service Scholarships](https://blog.prepscholar.com/community-service-scholarships-complete-list)
Posted by [Mary Ann Barge](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/mary-ann-barge) | November 12, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/community-service-scholarships-complete-list)
Did you know that your extracurricular activities can earn you money for college?
In particular, there are a lot of scholarships available to students who have chosen to spend their free time helping out others in their communities through volunteer work.
**Read on for the most complete lists of volunteer scholarships available.** We've divided the scholarships by type so you can tell easily if you qualify.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/community-service-scholarships-complete-list)
---
## [The 39 Best Engineering Scholarships](https://blog.prepscholar.com/engineering-scholarships)
Posted by [Mary Ann Barge](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/mary-ann-barge) | November 12, 2022
[Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/engineering-scholarships)
Do you have the brains and passion to become an engineer but worry about the cost of the education? You're not alone. Fortunately, you can offset some of these costs by applying for scholarships that can help you pay for college.
The following list of scholarships will show you that you have nothing to fear. **Students of all backgrounds will find that there's an engineering scholarship out there that can help make their education more affordable.**
In this article, we'll cover many of the prominent engineering scholarships, as well as others that you might not have heard of before. Read on to see what engineering scholarships you might be eligible for!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/engineering-scholarships)
---
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