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Scholarships and state financial aid

Help paying for college comes from a few places: the federal government, your state, your college and private scholarships. Start with the applications, then look at state grants and scholarships. You should never have to pay to apply.

Interactive mapState financial aid mapPick a state to see its own aid application for students who can't file the FAFSA, its main state grants and its official aid agency. It covers all 50 states plus DC.See the map Scholarship listFree scholarships, sorted by when they are dueFree national scholarships listed by deadline month, each checked on the sponsor's own page, plus how to spot a scholarship scam.See the list

Start here

Three steps, in this order.

  1. Fill out the FAFSA, or your state's own aid application if you can't file the FAFSA. Most states use the FAFSA to award their grants. Some states also have their own aid application for students who can't file the FAFSA, and in a few states the colleges handle that form. The state financial aid map shows which applies in your state.
  2. Then look at state grants. Grants are money you don't pay back. The map lists each state's main grants and links to its official aid agency, where you can confirm the rules, awards and deadlines before you apply.
  3. Then scholarships. Ask your school counselor or a college financial aid office where to start, and keep a list of deadlines. Our scholarships by deadline list is a good place to begin.

Scholarship scam red flags

Real scholarships are free to apply for. Never pay to apply for a scholarship, or to claim or hold an award. The FTC lists these signs of a scam:

  • A fee before you get anything, called a "processing cost," a "redemption fee" or something similar.
  • A promise that the scholarship is guaranteed, or your money back.
  • A request for your credit card or bank account number to hold a scholarship or to confirm that you qualify.
  • A message saying you are a finalist for a scholarship you never applied for.
  • Pressure to pay right away, often at a seminar, or lose the chance.

The FAFSA is free too. Federal Student Aid says you never have to pay for help with your federal student aid. The FTC says never to share your FSA ID, the username and password you use for the FAFSA, with anyone.

If something feels off, stop and ask your school counselor or a college financial aid office. You can report a scholarship scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.

Sources: FTC: How to avoid scholarship and financial aid scams, date checked: Oct 26, 2026. Federal Student Aid: Avoiding student aid scams, date checked: Oct 26, 2026.

Coming soon

Coming soon

Scholarship Finder

A guided tool to help you find scholarships that fit you. It is still being built, so it is not a link yet.

More on paying for college: Paying for college and scholarships.

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CyberSandberg provides general education, not personalized financial advice. We are not a registered investment adviser. See our disclaimers.