5 Places to Look for Scholarships Besides Your University

 Posted on December 12,2025 in Uncategorized

When most students think about scholarships, they immediately check their university's financial aid office. This is a great start, but it’s far from the only option. In fact, limiting yourself to university-offered scholarships means you could miss thousands of dollars in financial aid.

You might think that finding outside scholarships takes too much time or that competition makes them not worth pursuing. The truth is that local and specialized scholarships often have fewer applicants than national programs, making these great opportunities.

Wherever you look for scholarships, the more you apply to, the more likely you are to win. And OVC Scholarship Network is here to help you find scholarships that are a great fit for you.

Check Local Businesses and Community Organizations for Scholarships

Your own community is often an untapped resource for scholarships. Local businesses, community foundations, civic groups, and religious organizations frequently offer scholarships to students in their area. These scholarships may be smaller, ranging from $500 to $2,500, but they usually have fewer applicants.

Where to Look for Local Scholarships 

• Chamber of Commerce scholarship listings

• Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis, and Elks Lodge programs

• Credit unions and local banks

• Community foundations and places of worship

• Your high school counselor's office and public library bulletin boards

National Corporations and Foundations Scholarship Listings 

Large corporations and national foundations have large scholarship programs. Companies like Coca-Cola, Burger King, Dell, and Target have well-established scholarship programs. Many corporations offer scholarships specifically for children of employees, while others are open to any student who meets certain criteria.

Professional associations also offer scholarships to students entering their industry. If you plan to study nursing, engineering, education, or any other field with a professional organization, investigate whether that organization provides scholarships.

Law Firm Scholarship Programs

Many law firms across the country sponsor scholarship programs as part of their commitment to supporting education and their communities. OVC Scholarship Network connects students with scholarships offered by law firms nationwide.

What Makes Law Firm Scholarships Different

Law firm scholarships often ask students to write essays on topics related to justice, overcoming adversity, community service, or personal experiences. Each firm sets its own criteria and policies, so review the requirements carefully before applying.

The advantage of law firm scholarships is that they often value authenticity and personal stories over perfect grades or test scores. They want to support students who demonstrate resilience, character, and commitment to making a difference.

Scholarship Search Engines and Databases

Free scholarship search platforms can help you find opportunities matching your specific profile. Websites collect thousands of scholarships and allow you to filter by criteria such as your major, state, GPA, activities, and demographics.

Remember that legitimate scholarship searches are always free. Never pay anyone to find scholarships for you or to apply on your behalf.

Professional and Trade Organization Scholarships 

If you have decided on a career path, professional organizations in that field often offer scholarships. Nearly every industry has associations that support students entering the profession. These scholarships may require you to join the organization as a student member, but membership fees are usually minimal.

Applying for Scholarships? Stop and Read the Fine Print! 

Before you apply to any scholarship, read the terms and conditions carefully. Some scholarships require winners to make purchases, attend promotional events, or participate in a company’s marketing. 

Questions to Ask Before Applying

• What are the scholarship terms and requirements?

• Do I need to buy anything or go to promotional events?

• Am I comfortable with my name, photo, and essay being shared on their website?

• Does the scholarship require me to go to specific schools or have a certain GPA?

• Are there application fees or requests for bank account information?

Be very careful with scholarships that require application fees, ask for bank account information, or seem too good to be true. Legitimate scholarships never require you to pay to apply or to claim your award.

Watch deadlines carefully and give yourself plenty of time to write strong essays. Treat each application seriously, even for smaller scholarship amounts, because every dollar you win is money you do not have to borrow.

Start Your Scholarship Search with OVC Scholarship Network

OVC Scholarship Network can connect you with national scholarships that students from any state can apply for. Our network is committed to supporting students as they get their education. 

Take the time to explore our scholarships and find opportunities that match your background, interests, and goals. And if you have questions, get in touch with OVC Scholarship Network anytime so we can help.