Where can I find information about financial aid as an undergraduate student?
Candid does not give grants/donations, suggest specific funders, or approach them on your behalf. More about Candid’s mission. Please refer to the tips and websites in this article.
Before seeking foundation grants to help offset the costs of your higher education, you should pursue the following avenues:
- Learn about federal aid opportunities.
- Fill out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate an early estimate of your eligibility.
- Learn about state-level funding from your state's financial aid agency.
- Contact the financial aid office(s) at the school(s) you are considering.
- Explore scholarship sites and directories, like The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024, which you can borrow for free from our Overdrive eBook collection. If the 2024 edition is unavailable, we also have previous editions of The Ultimate Scholarship Book to borrow.
- Ask about scholarships from other organizations in your personal and professional networks, for example:
- Department office for your academic program
- Local or regional alumni clubs
- Community, civic and religious organizations
- Businesses or corporations that employ you, your parents, or your spouse
If you are seeking funding as a graduate student, please see our related Knowledge Base article Where can I find information about financial aid as a graduate student?
If you are seeking funding as an international student, please see our related Knowledge Base article Where can I find scholarships and fellowships for international students?
How to find funders that give to undergraduate students
To find funders who give grants to undergraduate students, you can use Foundation Directory Professional, our searchable database of grantmakers.
Perform an advanced search by Transaction Type: Grants to Individuals, in addition to search terms for Subject Area and Geographic Focus.
For more detailed search help, please see our article, Find your next scholarship, fellowship, or grant on Foundation Directory Professional.
Subscribe to search from your own location, or search for free at our Candid partner locations.
Worksheet for scholarship seekers
Answer the questions in these fillable PDF worksheets before you start your scholarship search. Your answers will help you focus your search and suggest words or phrases that you can use in you search to uncover opportunities you might not have considered before. Download the worksheets.
Free recorded webinars on scholarships and loans
>> How to Find & Win Scholarships and Fellowships
Get expert advice on how to find scholarship opportunities and prepare winning application, with Mark Kantrowitz.
>> Getting a Grip on Your Student Loans
Learn how to more effectively manage your student debt, with Heather Jarvis.
>> Finding Foundation Support for Your Education
Find out what foundations look for in scholarship applicants.
Have a question about this topic? Ask us!
Candid's Online Librarian service will answer your questions within two business days.
Ask usExplore resources curated by our staff for this topic:
Staff-recommended websites
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Staff pick
Peterson's
College Scholarship Search
Search for scholarships, federal and state aid, and loans, and learn about getting college-based awards.
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NSF - National Science Foundation
Special Programs for Undergraduate Students
Programs for undergraduate students that focus on educational development in areas such as curricula development, training, and retention.
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EducationPlanner.org
Find Grants and Scholarships
This searchable directory of education grants and scholarship providers is a public service of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and its student loan servicing operations, American Education Services (AES).
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College Board / BigFuture
Pay for College
Offers the latest information about college costs, scholarships, financial aid applications, education loans, and college financing.
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SallieMae
College Planning
Find scholarships and get funding planning advice for short or long-term college degrees.
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National Consumer Law Center
Student Loan Borrower Assistance
National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project is a resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers. This site is for people who already have student loans and want to know more about them.
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Michigan State University Libraries
Grants for Individuals - Research Guide
Compilation of grants for individuals - searchable by academic level, population group, and subject.
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Staff pick
U.S. Dept of Education
Federal Student Aid
Information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school. Free source of information, guidance, and tools for federal student assistance. Includes online Free Application Form for Student Aid (FAFSA).
Staff-recommended books
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The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2024: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2023: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes
Find: Amazon | Free eBook