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Financial Aid, Scholarships, Internships & Fellowships - Colleges & Scholarships
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships and Grants-financial awards that are not required to be paid back. Scholarships and grant awards can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. They can be offered by colleges and universities, government organizations, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and more. It is important to remember that, while national and well-publicized scholarship competitions can be highly competitive, there are often smaller scholarships that go unclaimed every year, which you might win just because you were the only applicant. It can be a good strategy to focus your attention on winning many small, local scholarships, rather than one big one. There are many types of scholarships and grants:
- Merit-based scholarships typically don't consider financial need at all or simply consider it as one of many criteria to be evaluated. They often are awarded to those with a high GPA, special talents, or the ability to write strong essays.
- Need-based scholarships are for those whose families are low-income. They may or may not consider other factors, such as GPA, talents, race, or gender.
- Athletic-if you are an exceptional athlete, you may receive partial or full scholarships for college if your performance is seen by a college scout. For more on athletic scholarships, visit the NCAA Scholarships and Internships page, which includes links to information on athletic and academic scholarships funded by the NCAA.
- Fellowships often pay school fees and a stipend for living expenses in exchange for student research or labor.
Loans are financial awards meant to cover educational expenses associated with undergraduate or graduate education. Unlike scholarships or grants, loans must be paid back with interest, typically by a particular deadline, though payments are often not required until after graduation. As with other forms of debt, your ability to make your loan payments consistently and in a timely fashion will affect your credit score. Unlike other forms of debt, student loans cannot be erased as a result of bankruptcy.
- Federal loans are offered by the United States Department of Education. To learn more about the different types of federal loans, see below or visit govloans.gov.
- Direct Subsidized Loans are federal loans that are only offered to those who are pursuing an undergraduate education and demonstrate financial need. While the student is attending school or in forbearance (see below), the government pays the accumulated interest.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans Direct are available for undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Financial need is not necessary to qualify for unsubsidized loans. Unlike with subsidized loans, you're responsible for paying interest on unsubsidized loans at all times, even when you're enrolled in school.
- Direct Plus Loans cover expenses not typically provided for in financial aid packages for graduate students, professional students, or parents or guardians of dependent undergraduate students.
- Private Loans come from institutions that are not affiliated with the federal government, such as banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. They often have higher insurance rates, but they can be helpful in situations where, for example, you are not taking enough course units to qualify for federal aid.
- When a loan is in forbearance, that means that you may delay payments. A forbearance agreement can be organized between you and your loan provider, or, as with the CARES Act of 2020, it can be mandated from the federal government. In many cases, interest still accumulates while your loan is in forbearance. For more information on forbearance, visit: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/20236/student-loan-forbearance/
- When a loan is deferred, you may delay your payments, but interest does not accumulate during the deferment period. For more on deferment, visit: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/9949/student-loan-deferment/
Work-study jobs are part-time jobs, usually on your college campus where the salary you earn gets directly contributed to your tuition and other school fees. Learn more here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/what-is-work-study
In general, students and their families should begin their financial aid journey by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is an online form that determines your eligibility for federal grants and loans from the United States Department of Education. Many colleges, universities, and scholarship programs use the data from your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for need-based aid. Undocumented students are not eligible for the FAFSA, but there are alternatives (see below).
Free Scholarship Directories
Fastweb was the very first college scholarship search website ever. Today, Fastweb has a database of 1.5 million college scholarships worth over $3.4 billion that members have access to by creating a free profile. Students can fill out a quick questionnaire that covers things like their contact information, schools of interest and potential majors. Fastweb uses this information to match them to college scholarships for which they qualify. What sets Fastweb apart from other college scholarship search sites is its team of researchers. Every scholarship in our database has been researched and vetted by a team of real people. They work to ensure that the database is free of scholarship scams, that scholarship information is up-to-date and that new scholarships are added daily.
Whether you’re a high school student, college student, nontraditional or adult-learner, complete a free profile then get matched to scholarships and grants you're qualified for from colleges, universities, organizations, foundations, corporations, government & more. The Scholarships.com database has over 3.7 million college scholarships and grants, about $19 billion in financial aid.
When students create a free profile on Cappex, they match the profile against recruitment criteria provided by Cappex's college partners. Colleges that have identified the student as a good fit for enrollment will send a message that will appear on the student's dashboard. Students can then add a college to their list, and Cappex will notify the college's admissions department that they are interested in attending. Colleges will contact the student to provide more information on their institution, and about visiting and applying. Meanwhile, students can check out all eligible scholarships and start applying for free money.
Unigo is a source to over 3.6 million scholarships and grants. To receive personalized matches for scholarships, students can create an account, complete a scholarship profile, and submit applications.
This site provides detailed information on scholarships and requires no registration. "GoodCall Scholarship Engine is 100% free and open-access, meaning no personally identifiable information is required in order to use it."
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The College Board's Scholarship Search
Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion. Enter as much information as possible to find the most matches. Scholarship information is based on the College Board's Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs.
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CollegeData Scholarship Finder
With Scholarship Finder, you can discover scholarships looking for students like you—with your academic qualifications, interests, and other personal characteristics. With more than 595,000 awards that you can review, download, and apply to—for free—Scholarship Finder helps you zero-in on the awards you’re most likely to qualify for.
Look here for information about scholarships, grants, and loans.
TMCF offers three types of unique scholarships that are merit, plus need-based designed to address the financial needs of students attending a TMCF member-school or other accredited college or university.
Resources for Undocumented Students
"Rutgers University (Newark and New Brunswick campuses) and Essex County College are partners with The Dream.US, a scholarship fund for DREAMers across the nation. It will cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation expenses for students who would otherwise be unable to attend college. To be eligible, students must have arrived before the age of 16 and lived continuously in the US for the last five years."
The focus is "to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented students. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA, news on immigration policies, and much more."
"Allows NJ Dreamers enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid."
Originating in California, helps guide undocumented students (DACA) with career paths in science and healthcare.
"The mission of UndocuJersey is to provide educational resources for undocumented students and documented students with undocumented parents in their pursuit for higher education." Their Facebook page provides information on upcoming events, resources, and timely scholarships.
Scholarships for New Jersey Students
General
Offers a listing of scholarships for New Jersey students who are preparing to go to college. Brief descriptions of these scholarships as well as the application forms can be found on this site.
Community College Opportunity Grants are awards that will pay the costs of tuition and approved educational fees not already covered by other available grant funds applied to the student’s account.En Espanol: https://www.hesaa.org/Documents/CCOG/CCOG_flyer_spanish.pdf
Information about grants and scholarships from the NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Refer to requirements and guidelines for eligibility information. A list of approved county colleges, four year public colleges, and private universities is also provided.
For Specific Colleges and Universities
The Rutgers University-Newark Talent and Opportunity Pathways program or RU-N to the TOP — is a
financial aid program that provides a “last dollar” scholarship. This scholarship will cover the cost
of in-state tuition for undocumented students. To qualify, your family annual income
must not exceed $60,000 and must either be a Newark resident or a NJ Community College transfer student
who has already attained an associate degree.
This page lists scholarships for Rutgers and RBHS students. Check each award for eligibility requirements, deadline to apply, and award amount.
Scholarships Based on Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
For African and African-American Students
Links to top scholarships for African-American students.
Black, Gifted & Whole is a nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to the empowerment of young, queer black men. Its Ambassador Program awards partial scholarships to black queer men attending historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs.
Scholarships of up to $5,000 awarded annually to students interested in a career in journalism.
UNCF’s North Star is to increase the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation.
For Asian/Pacific Islanders
- APIA Scholarship
APIA Scholars has a special focus on supporting AANHPI students who live at or below the poverty line; are in the first generation of their family to attend college; are representative of the APIA community’s diversity, (geographically and ethnically}, especially those ethnicities that have been underrepresented on college campuses due to limited access and opportunity. Strong applicants would also have an emphasis on community service and leadership.
- Asian/Pacific Islanders Scholarships
A list of various scholarships by educational subject and state.
For Latin American Students
If you are Hispanic or Latino, here are some resources that can help you find scholarships that match your needs.
HSF points to many scholarship programs that help students to afford college. You will find scholarships for high school seniors, community college transfer students, undergraduates and graduate students.
Hispanic Scholarships are offered by a number of companies, organizations and schools, resulting in a more culturally diverse experience for all involved.
For Any Students of Color
Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, the American Library Association affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians to position ALA to provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services.
The Diverse Scholars Initiative works to create a more relevant health workforce, particularly in underserved communities, by increasing the number of primary care health providers ready to meet future health care needs.
The Hearst Scholarship is awarded annually to students who achieve academic excellence. It is available for undergraduate and graduate students.
For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Students
Black, Gifted & Whole is a nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to the empowerment of young, queer black men. Its Ambassador Program awards partial scholarships to black queer men attending historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs.
From the FinAid site, suggestions for scholarships for LGBT students.
Compiled by the Human Rights Campaign, this database lists scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBTQ and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level.
For Women
"Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or reenter the workforce. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields."
General Financial Aid Information
A resource to help with preparing students at all educational levels for college, both academically and financially.
Finaid is an extensive resource for all kinds of financial aid information, including information for students pursuing careers in the military.
Learn about the various kinds of financial aid (loans, grants, and work-study), how to apply, common myths, and more.
From the College Board: articles on understanding college costs, types of financial aid, the process of applying for financial aid, financial aid FAQs, and webinars on how to complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile forms.
A guide for college students who may be homeless or low-income facing a variety of related challenges. Provides practical information on resources available on-campus, off-campus, and online.
Explains the different types of financial aid.
Resources from the U.S. Department of Education for students and teachers including information about student loans, financial aid, and grant opportunities.
Tips, tools, guidance, and news about financing college and graduate school education.
see also the Ferguson's Career Guidance Center database, which has a great Plan Your Education section, including Financial Aid Directories:
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