Scholarships
Scholarships and Waivers are awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, or talents in areas such as sports, music, community service etc. Some of these scholarships also consider financial needs and may ask for information from your FAFSA. Each scholarship typically has its own application and requirements, so be sure to read guidelines carefully and pay attention to deadlines. Some scholarships may require a personal statement or short essay responses to a prompt that they provide. You may wish to review our Writing Personal Statement page for tips and recommendations.
The best thing about scholarships is that you do not have to pay them back. They are FREE MONEY. Some may be one time awards while others may be renewable. If they are renewable you will typically be required to meet some academic requirements to renew. Also, some may be used for any expenses related to college, while others are for tuition only. Make sure you know how the money can be used before you plan to spend it.
Scholarship Sources
Scholarships can come from many different sources. Here are a few to give you an idea:
- Colleges and Universities - See Scholarships Universe at The University of Arizona for admitted students
- Private Agencies - like the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund or American Indian Graduate Center
- Community Organizations - like the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona or the Arizona Community Foundation
- Local or National Businesses - like Pizza Hut, Target, or Starbucks
Start Planning
- Because there are so many different organizations that provide scholarships, with different requirements, and different deadlines, you will need to plan ahead and research the scholarships that you want. You can find available scholarships on the internet, at libraries or at your school counselor’s office.
- Never pay anyone to do a “scholarship search” for you. Some of the best places to find scholarships for free are
Scholarships Regardless of Citizenship Status
Citizenship status does not limit a student’s ability to continue their studies at a college or university level. However, federal financial aid is not available to students who do not have a social security number. Therefore, scholarships can be critical for undocumented students and their families in helping them pay for college. There are local, statewide and national organizations that help students identify scholarships that do not require a social security number. In Arizona, ScholarshipsA-Z is a Tucson-based immigrant youth-led organization that works to make higher education accessible to all students regardless of immigration status.
Letters of Recommendation
Many scholarships require letters of recommendation. Learn more.