What Are Outside Scholarships?
Scholarships are gifts—they do not have to be repaid. They’re offered by schools, employers, churches, nonprofit organizations, businesses, community groups, and professional associations. Some scholarships cover full tuition, while others may be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, every scholarship helps lower the cost of your education.
Types of Scholarships You Can Apply For
Merit-based scholarships – awarded for academic achievement, leadership, talent, or special interests
Need-based scholarships – based on financial need
Group-specific scholarships – for women, graduate students, ministry students, military families, and more
Employer- or church-based scholarships – offered through your employer or your parents’ employers, churches, or local organizations
Where to Find Legitimate Scholarships (Free Resources)
Be cautious of scams—you should never have to pay to search for scholarships. These are trusted, free tools we recommend:
CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor):
https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find- scholarships.aspx Sallie Mae Scholarship Search:
https://www.sallie.com/scholarships Nelnet Scholarship Search Tool:
https://www.nelnetbank.com/learning-center/scholarship- search-tool/ Scholarships.com:
https://www.scholarships.com/College Board BigFuture:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship- search Fastweb:
https://www.fastweb.com/
You should also check with:
Your high school counselor or TRIO advisor
Your local library
Churches, civic groups, and community foundations
Employers (yours or your parents’)
Organizations connected to your intended major or career field
When Should You Apply?
Scholarship deadlines vary. Some are due months—or even a year—before college starts, but many are still available right now. If you’ve missed earlier deadlines, don’t worry—keep searching and applying.
How to Apply Successfully
Read each application carefully
Complete every section fully
Submit before the deadline
Keep copies of essays—you can often reuse them
How Scholarship Funds Are Paid
Scholarships may be sent:
Directly to Kentucky Christian University and applied to your bill, with any remaining funds refunded to you, or
Directly to you by check
Each scholarship provider will explain how their funds are disbursed—if not, it’s okay to ask.