How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Scholly and ScholarshipOwl help students find matched scholarships quickly, with different approaches to applications and pricing.
- College Raptor and Fastweb suit students who want college matching and scholarship search in one place.
- Bold.org and Niche add community and profile-based scholarships, which can surface smaller awards that larger databases miss.
- No app guarantees a scholarship. The best results come from applying to many well-matched awards, not only large national ones.
- Watch deadlines, eligibility rules, and renewal terms carefully, since a missed document or a missed deadline ends an application.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Scholly | Matched scholarships and tracking | See website | Free trial |
 ScholarshipOwl | Applying to many scholarships fast | See website | Free trial |
 College Raptor | College match and scholarship search | Free | Yes |
 Fastweb | Large scholarship database | Free | Yes |
 Bold.org | Profile-based scholarships | Free | Yes |
 Niche | College and scholarship search | Free | Yes |
 BigFuture | College Board planning and scholarships | Free | Yes |
 Unigo | Scholarships and college reviews | Free | Yes |
 Scholarships.com | Broad database and search filters | Free | Yes |
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The best scholarship apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Scholly matches students with scholarships based on grade level, field of study, background, and other profile details, then helps track deadlines and application progress. The matching engine is the core value, since it narrows a huge database to awards a student is actually eligible for, rather than leaving them to search by keyword alone.
The free experience is limited, and full matching, tracking, and support features sit in the paid plan. Students should fill the profile in detail, since vague answers produce vague matches. For students who want a guided, mobile-friendly scholarship search with deadline reminders, Scholly is a strong starting point.
What we like- Personalised matching
- Deadline tracking
- Essay and document organisation
Watch out for- Full features require a paid plan
- Matching quality depends on profile detail
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
ScholarshipOwl is built for volume. Students create one profile, then apply to many matched scholarships from that profile, with an auto-apply option for certain awards. That speed helps students who want to apply to dozens of smaller scholarships, where the odds improve with each well-matched application.
The paid plan gives access to the full application features, so students should check the trial and the renewal terms before committing. Auto-apply also works best for scholarships that accept a standard profile, rather than those that need a custom essay or portfolio. For students focused on applying widely, ScholarshipOwl saves a lot of repetitive form filling.
What we like- Apply to many scholarships from one profile
- Auto-apply option for some awards
- Deadline reminders
Watch out for- Paid plan needed for full features
- Auto-apply does not suit every scholarship type
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
College Raptor is free for students and combines college matching with scholarship search, which helps a student weigh the cost of a college beside the awards available. Net price estimates show what a college may actually cost after aid, rather than only the sticker price, and the platform includes a searchable scholarship database. That combination is valuable, since a large award at an expensive college can still leave a bigger gap than a smaller award at an affordable one.
College Raptor also runs its own $2,500 scholarship four times a year, and its college planning tools cover majors, careers, and financial aid. The focus is broader than a pure scholarship app, so students who only want award matching may prefer a narrower tool. For students who want free college matching and scholarship search in one place, College Raptor is a strong starting point.
What we like- Free for students
- College match with net price estimates
- Scholarship search plus its own $2,500 scholarship
Watch out for- Broader college planning focus than a pure scholarship app
- Net price figures are estimates, not aid offers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Fastweb is one of the oldest and largest free scholarship databases. Students create a profile, receive matched scholarships, and browse by category, deadline, and award amount. The site also offers college search, financial aid guides, and career resources, which help students plan beyond a single scholarship.
The trade-off is volume. Matched emails and notifications can pile up, so students should set filters and check the dashboard regularly rather than relying only on email. For breadth of search, Fastweb remains a useful free tool, especially when combined with a matching tool such as Scholly or College Raptor.
What we like- Very large database
- Free matching
- College and financial aid resources
Watch out for- Email volume can be high
- Interface feels dated in places
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Bold.org offers scholarships that students can apply for with a Bold profile, including many exclusive awards created on the platform. Students can filter by background, field, grade level, and other criteria, and the application process is often simpler than a traditional scholarship form. That lower friction encourages students to apply to more awards.
Because many awards are exclusive to Bold.org, competition and award amounts vary, and students should still search broader databases. Bold.org is best used as an additional source of awards, especially for students who want a modern, profile-based application experience.
What we like- Free to join
- Many exclusive scholarships
- Profile-based matching
Watch out for- Some scholarships are Bold.org exclusive, so odds vary
- Newer platform than Fastweb
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Niche combines college search with scholarships, which helps students who are still choosing a school. College profiles include student reviews, admissions data, and costs, alongside scholarship listings and a monthly no-essay scholarship. That combination makes Niche useful for juniors and seniors planning both college choice and funding.
The scholarship list alone is smaller than Fastweb or Scholarships.com, and some Niche awards are sweepstakes-style with random selection. Use Niche for college research and for its no-essay awards, and use a dedicated scholarship database for the main search.
What we like- College search plus scholarships
- Student reviews
- No-essay scholarship options
Watch out for- Scholarship database is smaller than Fastweb
- Some awards are sweepstakes-style
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
BigFuture, from the College Board, helps students plan for college, search for schools, and find scholarships. The BigFuture Scholarships programme rewards students for completing planning steps, such as building a college list and practising for admissions tests, with entries into scholarship drawings. That structure encourages planning, not only searching.
As a scholarship matching engine, BigFuture is less deep than Scholly or ScholarshipOwl, so students should use it for planning and for its own scholarship programme, plus a dedicated database for matched awards. For students already using College Board tools, BigFuture is a natural, free addition.
What we like- Free College Board tool
- College planning and scholarship search
- BigFuture Scholarships programme
Watch out for- Scholarship search is broader planning, not a deep matching engine
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Unigo offers a free scholarship search, college reviews, rankings, and application advice. Students can browse scholarships by category, read college reviews from current students, and find tips for essays and applications. That mix helps students who want context about a college, not only a list of awards.
The scholarship database is not as large as Fastweb, and the site can feel busy with ads and promotions. Use Unigo as a secondary search and for college reviews, and keep a primary database for the main scholarship hunt.
What we like- Free scholarship search
- College reviews and rankings
- Essay and application tips
Watch out for- Database is smaller than the largest rivals
- Site design is busy
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Scholarships.com offers a large free database with detailed filters for grade level, field, background, and award type. Students can create a profile, save scholarships, and track deadlines, with financial aid guides to help with the wider funding picture. The breadth makes it a good complement to a matching app.
The interface feels older than Scholly or College Raptor, and notification emails need careful filtering. For students who want to search broadly and filter precisely, Scholarships.com remains a useful free resource.
What we like- Large free database
- Detailed search filters
- Financial aid resources
Watch out for- Interface is dated
- Email notifications need filtering
How we chose
We compared scholarship apps on database size, matching quality, application ease, deadline tracking, price, and student reviews. We used vendor websites, app listings, and student discussion about matching accuracy and email volume. We favoured apps that are free or offer a clear free tier for students, that are actively maintained now, and that help students apply, not only browse.
How to use scholarship apps well
Start with a complete profile. Grade level, GPA range where asked, field of study, background, activities, and financial need all affect matching, and a thin profile produces thin matches. Update the profile each semester, since eligibility changes as you move from high school to college and from one major to another.
Next, apply in tiers. Apply to a few large national awards, many mid-sized awards, and as many local and school-specific awards as you can find, since local awards often have far fewer applicants. Keep a simple tracker with deadline, required documents, essay status, and submission confirmation, even if the app tracks it for you, so nothing is lost if an app changes.
Tracking also helps with renewal. Many scholarships require a minimum grade point average, continued enrolment, or a yearly application, so note renewal rules at the same time as the first deadline. A scholarship that renews for four years can be worth far more than a larger one-off award, so compare total value over the full course, not only the first-year amount.
Essays, documents, and scams
Reuse essay ideas, but tailor each essay to the prompt and the awarding organisation. Keep transcripts, recommendation letters, and financial documents ready in one folder, so a short deadline does not block an application. Never pay a fee to apply for a scholarship, and be cautious of any service that guarantees an award, since legitimate scholarships do not charge application fees or promise a win.
Frequently asked questions
Do scholarship apps guarantee a scholarship?
No. Apps help you find and apply for scholarships, but awards are decided by the scholarship provider based on eligibility, essays, and other criteria. Applying to many well-matched awards improves your odds, but no app can guarantee a win.
Are free scholarship apps as good as paid ones?
Often, yes, for search. Free databases such as Fastweb, College Raptor, and Scholarships.com cover a huge range of awards. Paid apps such as Scholly and ScholarshipOwl add matching, tracking, and faster applications, which can be worth it if you use those features.
When should I start searching for scholarships?
Start in junior year of high school if you can, and continue through college, since new awards open each year and some are only for current college students. Deadlines are spread across the year, so check monthly, not only in spring.
Can international students use these apps?
Some scholarships are open to international students, but many US awards require US citizenship or residency. Filter by eligibility and check each award's rules before applying, since eligibility varies widely.
How many scholarships should I apply for?
There is no single number, but students who apply to 20 to 30 well-matched awards, including local ones, often have better results than students who apply to only two or three large national awards. Quality still matters, so tailor essays and meet every requirement.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://myscholly.com
- https://scholarshipowl.com
- https://www.collegeraptor.com
- https://www.fastweb.com
- https://bold.org
- https://www.niche.com
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org
- https://www.unigo.com
- https://www.scholarships.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.