Scholarship Databases and Resources

Find scholarships and funding opportunities using these comprehensive databases and resources.

Global Scholarship Databases

ScholarshipPortal.com

• 70,000+ scholarships worldwide
• Filter by country, field, degree level
• Free to use
• Regular updates

IEFA (International Education Financial Aid)

• Specialized for international students
• Country-specific searches
• Financial aid information
• Loan options

Scholarships.com

• Over 3.7 million scholarships
• Worth over $19 billion
• Personalized matches
• Mobile app available

Fastweb

• Large scholarship database
• Career planning resources
• Internship opportunities
• Deadline reminders

Country-Specific Resources

USA

• EducationUSA: Official US government resource
• Fulbright Program: Prestigious scholarships
• College Board: CSS Profile and aid info
• Peterson's: Comprehensive database

UK

• UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs
• Chevening Scholarships: UK government funded
• Commonwealth Scholarships: For Commonwealth countries
• British Council: Various programs

Canada

• ScholarshipsCanada.com: Canadian opportunities
• EduCanada: Government resource
• Universities Canada: Member institution scholarships

Australia

• Study in Australia: Government portal
• Australia Awards: Government scholarships
• Destination Australia: Regional scholarships

Germany

• DAAD Database: Comprehensive German scholarships
• Deutschlandstipendium: Merit-based program
• Erasmus+: European programs

Field-Specific Resources

STEM

• Society of Women Engineers: Women in engineering
• IEEE: Electrical engineering
• ACS: Chemistry students
• Google Scholarships: Tech students

Business

• AACSB: Business school programs
• Forté Foundation: Women in business
• MBA scholarships: Program-specific

Arts & Humanities

• NEA: National Endowment for the Arts
• Creative Writing Programs: Various opportunities
• Music Scholarships: Instrument-specific

Organization-Based Scholarships

Foundations

• Gates Foundation: Gates Millennium Scholars
• Rotary International: Global grants
• Lions Club: Community service scholarships
• Kiwanis: Educational programs

Cultural Organizations

• Asian American:organizations
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• United Negro College Fund
• National Italian American Foundation

University Resources

Financial Aid Offices

• University-specific scholarships
• External scholarship lists
• Application assistance
• Deadline tracking

Department Scholarships

• Major-specific funding
• Research assistantships
• Teaching assistantships
• Department awards

Tips for Using Databases

Search Strategy

• Create profiles on multiple sites
• Set up email alerts
• Apply filters carefully
• Save searches
• Check regularly (weekly)

Application Organization

• Spreadsheet tracker
• Note deadlines
• Track requirements
• Follow up status

Red Flags

• Never pay to apply
• Avoid "guaranteed" scholarships
• Verify legitimacy
• Check organization credentials

Additional Resources

Books

• "The Scholarship Book"
• "How to Go to College Almost for Free"
• "Scholarships 101"

Websites

• Going Merry (application management)
• Scholly (mobile app)
• Niche (student reviews + scholarships)
• RaiseMe (micro-scholarships)

Social Media

• Follow scholarship accounts
• Join Facebook scholarship groups
• Twitter scholarship hashtags
• LinkedIn opportunities

Government Resources

Home Country

• Ministry of Education
• Cultural exchange programs
• Bilateral agreements
• Government loans

Host Country

• Education ministries
• Cultural affairs offices
• Embassy programs
• Government websites

Remember: Scholarship hunting requires persistence. Apply to many, follow deadlines carefully, and never give up!