If you stopped searching for scholarships after your first year of college, you are not alone. Most scholarship advice focuses on high school seniors, which can make it seem like the biggest opportunities disappear once college begins.
They do not. As a current college student, you may qualify for awards based on your major, college GPA, campus involvement, work experience or career goals. Your search may look a little different now, but there is still money worth looking for.
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Why your search gets more specific after freshman year
When you applied to college, scholarship committees had your high school record to consider. Now you have new experience to share: college coursework, a declared major, leadership roles, internships, research, volunteer work and on-campus jobs.
Those details can open the door to scholarships that incoming students cannot apply for yet. The key is knowing where to look.
Start on your own campus
Your college is one of the best places to begin because some awards are reserved for students who are already enrolled. Check your financial aid or scholarship portal for terms such as current student, continuing student or departmental scholarship.
Then look beyond the main financial aid page. Your academic department, honors program, student organizations and campus employer may each know about smaller awards that are not promoted college-wide.
Your campus scholarship check
Search your college portal for current or continuing student scholarships.
Check whether one general application matches you with multiple awards.
Ask your academic department about major-specific funding.
Review the renewal requirements for scholarships you already receive.
Ask campus clubs, honor societies and employers about internal awards.
Look beyond your college
Do not limit your search to campus. Professional associations connected to your major, local civic groups, employers and identity-based foundations may all offer scholarships to current college students.
Use Red Kite to search for opportunities that fit where you are now. Keep your profile updated with your college year, major, GPA and interests so your matches reflect your current experience.
Four more places to search
Professional associations
Search organizations connected to your major or future career.
Local organizations
Look at community foundations, service clubs and hometown groups.
Employers
Check benefits offered by your employer or a parent or guardian’s employer.
Background-based foundations
Explore awards tied to first-generation status, cultural heritage, military families and other experiences.
Make your application stronger
Use specific examples.
Instead of writing, “I work hard,” show what that looks like: “I maintained a 3.6 GPA while working 15 hours a week.”
Show how you have grown.
Leadership roles, research, internships, campus involvement and a clearer career direction can help tell the story of who you are now.
Reuse thoughtfully.
A strong essay from a previous application can give you a head start, but update it so it answers the new prompt and reflects your latest experience.
Ask early.
Give recommenders enough time and share the scholarship details, deadline and a few points you hope they can highlight.
Build a routine you can keep
You do not need an open afternoon to make progress. Set aside 30 minutes once a week to check new matches, save promising opportunities and complete one small application task. A short, repeatable routine is easier to keep than waiting for the perfect time.
Red Kite Pro Tip: Save scholarships to your Favorites and opt in to receive SMS deadline reminders. We’ll help you keep track of approaching deadlines so promising opportunities don’t slip off your radar.
Keep looking throughout college
Scholarship searching does not end after freshman year. It becomes more focused as your college experience grows. Start with your campus, expand your search to organizations connected to your goals and let your newer accomplishments strengthen your applications.
Keep your scholarship search moving
Update your Red Kite profile and see scholarships that match where you are now.
