There is no questioning that college can be expensive. For the 2015-2016 school year, out-of-state tuition averaged $23,893 for public universities. That number gets even higher for private institutions. That price tag is well worth the education, as college graduates often make up to 4 times as much money over the course of their lifetime than their non-college educated peers. But the promise of a higher salary later might not seem that appealing when you have to pay for college now.
A great way to make college more affordable is to apply for scholarships. Scholarships are awarded by colleges for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. Often external companies, foundations, or community organizations will also offer scholarships for membership, legacy, or service. Think about what you are good at; more than likely, there is a scholarship out there for that.
But finding the right scholarship can be hard. That is why we have put together a list of the best mobile friendly apps and websites to help you find the financial assistance you need.
5. Scholarship Advisor
Scholarship Advisor is one tool in the larger toolkit of StudentAdvisor. The app allows you to search a database of thousands of scholarships by type and by school. You can see which scholarships are highly competitive and which are more easily attainable. Scholarship Advisor keeps track of your scholarships for you so you can easily see which ones you have already applied for and when applications are due. Available on iOS devices and at http://www.studentadvisor.com.
4. College Raptor
College Raptor is a college search directory, but their real power comes in the form of their College Scholarship Calculator app. This app allows you to see a colleges true cost when financial aid and scholarships are factored in. You can compare colleges average financial aid packages and get estimates on how much you can expect to get in scholarships based on your GPA and SAT/ACT test scores. Available on iOS and Android devices and at www.collegeraptor.com.
3. Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com gives you access to over 3.7 million local, state, and national college scholarships and grants. After filling out a questionnaire on your academic strengths, interest, activities, and skills, their platform will show you a list of scholarships matched to your profile. Available on iOS and Android devices and at www.scholarships.com.
2. Scholly
Scholly contains a searchable directory of scholarships along with a matching feature to find you the perfect scholarship to fit your needs. The app also helps you through the process by tracking your progress and deadlines and offers access to winning scholarship essays that can serve as inspiration. Available on iOS and Android devices and at www.myscholly.com.
1. Scholarship Owl
Similar to the Common App for college applications, Scholarship Owl allows you to submit for hundreds of scholarships with a single application. The site uses your information to find all of the scholarships in its database that you might qualify for and you are able to easily apply for one or all of them at once. Available at www.scholarshipowl.com.
Kathie Boozer is the founder and president of Explore Colleges, a premier college group tour operator. Explore Colleges’ customized tours help students experience the unique cultures, environments, and opportunities on each campus and inspire them to follow their dreams. Contact Kathie at kboozer@explorecolleges.org
