Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About Scholarship Institute

ScholarshipInstitute.org is a scholarship-matching platform that connects students, parents, and educators with verified awards from across the United States. We combine a continuously-updated database with personalized matching tools so you can find scholarships that fit your background, interests, and goals. We also serve as a guiding resource for helping you navigate higher education financial aid and budgeting with useful content resources.

Yes, ScholarshipInstitute.org is a legitimate resource. We’ve supported thousands of students, parents, and educators in navigating scholarship opportunities and financing higher education. Our site continues to evolve with improved tools, updated scholarship listings, and guidance backed by expert-reviewed content to ensure trust and value for our users.

Browsing featured scholarships and accessing educational resources is completely free on ScholarshipInstitute.org. Users can upgrade for full access to the Scholarship Institute platform to easily find and apply for tailored scholarships in one spot. Scholarship Institute offers a free trial for new users considering full platform access.

  • Verified database: Every listing is vetted and timestamped so expired or fraudulent awards are promptly removed.
  • Smart matching: A single profile unlocks tailored recommendations—saving you from filling out the same details over and over.
  • One-stop shop: You can find scholarships, fill in application details, write and edit essays, and submit your application all in one place. You never have to leave the Scholarship Institute platform.
  • Security-first design: We store your data securely.
  • Education & ethics: We don’t just match you with scholarships. We provide detailed educational content, important financial aid information, and budgeting tips for your higher education journey. We also help guide you to avoid scams and other financing pitfalls.

No legitimate organization can promise that. Be wary of any service claiming a “guaranteed” award or “money-back guarantee.” Those are classic scam red flags identified by the FTC. Scholarship Institute can help you increase your scholarship funding opportunities by matching you with awards in which you may be a strong candidate. You still have to create a strong profile, present yourself well in essays, and ensure you’re meeting submission criteria.

Absolutely. Scholarship Institute is open to any students studying in the U.S., undocumented students, graduate candidates, adult learners, and more. Eligibility rules vary by award, so read each description carefully.

Yes! Winners can opt to share their experiences. These stories inspire applicants and spotlight real-world results. Please feel free to reach out to us to share your experience with the Scholarship Institute.

Scholarship Scam Prevention

You should never have to pay an upfront fee to apply. If someone asks for a payment, credit-card number, or bank details “to hold” a scholarship, walk away—it’s almost certainly a scam. All of the featured scholarships on our blog and scholarship resource pages are open for application without any additional fees.

Look out for these warning signs (all flagged by the FTC):

  • “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
  • “We’ll do all the work; you just pay a processing fee.”
  • Pressure to act immediately or attend high-pressure sales seminars.
  • Requests for your FAFSA login, Social Security number, or banking details up front.

Report it immediately to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general, and ask your bank or card issuer about refund options. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovery.If you are having payment issues on the Scholarship Institute platform, but do not suspect fraud, please reach out to the team for assistance. We are available via our Contact Us page or via email (support@scholarshipinstitute.org).

Scholarship Tips and Best Practices

Right now! Whether you’re a high-school freshman, undergraduate, graduate candidate, or returning adult learner. Many awards accept applications well before college acceptance letters arrive. Give yourself the best chance at receiving financial support by applying to scholarships early and often.

  • Apply consistently; set a goal of a few quality applications each week.
  • Complete your profile thoroughly so our algorithm can surface niche awards.
  • Be sure to provide thoughtful and compelling responses to scholarship prompts or questions. 
  • Display your personality and be true to your experiences. 
  • Proofread essays and submit before deadlines.
  • Track deadlines and required documents in a spreadsheet or planner.

Yes—many no-essay and short-form awards exist. Our filters let you surface them quickly. Check out this list of no-essay scholarships for 2025.

Yes. Many awards focus on essays, community service, leadership, or unique backgrounds instead of GPA. Use the “minimum GPA” filter to find them. Don’t let your GPA discourage you from applying to scholarships.

  • Fill out the FAFSA — it’s free and the most important first step.
  • State and federal grants
  • Work-study programs
  • Student loans
  • Talk to your school counselor or college financial-aid office to negotiate aid packages if you feel like you should be getting more

Scholarship Awards

Most scholarship providers contact winners directly by email or phone; others post results online. We recommend checking both your personal inbox and your ScholarshipInstitute.org dashboard weekly. Remember to verify the sender and never share any personal information in response to an acceptance letter. This could be a scam.

Funds may be sent to your school’s financial-aid office or directly to you, depending on the provider’s policy. Always follow the provider’s instructions for acceptance and verification.

Notify the scholarship provider immediately. Some awards travel with you; others require repayment or termination if your enrollment status changes.

Your college may reduce other aid to prevent an “over-award.” Check with your financial-aid office for its specific policy.

Manage Your Scholarship Institute Account

Update your profile or reset your password by following these steps:

  1. Login to your Scholarship Institute account
  2. Once logged in select the “Support” icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen
  3. Select the “Profile” section on the next screen to update your profile information
  4. Choose the “Account” option to reset your password

You can delete your account at any time in just a few simple steps:

  1. Login to your Scholarship Institute account
  2. Select the “Support” icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen
  3. Click the “Subscription” option in the onscreen panel
  4. Select “Cancel subscription” under the “Manage membership” section of the page

No, you cannot pause your subscriber membership to the Scholarship Institute at this time. If you need to discontinue for a period of time, you can cancel your subscription and start it up again when you are ready to continue.

If you’re having trouble making payments for Scholarship Institute’s full platform access, contact our team directly for assistance. You can reach us in several ways:

The best way to improve your profile’s ability to stand out is to ensure that you have provided all of the requested information. Leaving basic personal information blank or unclear can hamper your ability to win scholarship rewards.

This feature is coming to the Scholarship Institute platform soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

Parents can create their own account to curate and share scholarship lists with their children, set reminders, and track deadlines together. Or you can share an account as a family.

Contact our support team with your name and a message at our Contact Us page.You can also email us at support@scholarshipinstitute.org or call +1 888-418-5926.