All colleges offer scholarships. Start early and apply often!
Scholarships are More Plentiful Than You Think. Here’s How to Look.
Note: Many Scholarships require a completed FAFSA. Be sure to fill this out to get as much aid as possible!
Why are scholarships important?
Scholarships are a fantastic way to pay for college. Similar to grants, they do not need to be paid back. Scholarships of any size help bring down the cost of attending the institution of your choice, helping you pay less out of pocket.
Scholarships can be need-based, merit-based, or identity-based.
You should apply for scholarships your freshman year and every year while you are enrolled in a program. Some scholarships are specific to grade levels (i.e., scholarships meant for rising sophomores, juniors or seniors).
Start early and apply often! There’s lots of money to help you go to college. Most college's scholarships applications are available starting October 1st, due dates will vary by college.
Click here to learn about financial aid!
Where do I find scholarships?
- Your desired college’s financial aid department and scholarship portal
- Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
- Ask your high school counselor
What should I expect?
Each scholarship is unique. Some require essays, others letters of recommendation, some both! Take a look at our Scholarship Tip Sheet for how-to's and common application questions to start preparing for your application process.
Local Scholarships
Joseph L. Wolcott Scholarship Fund
- Must be a TPS senior and have at least a 2.5 GPA
- $3,000 renewable scholarship
- Deadline: March 4, 2025
- Must be a student from Toledo
- 8 recipients - $5,000
- Deadline: TBD
Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- One application signs you up for 70+ local scholarships!
- Allen Lloyd Sr. Memorial Scholarship
- Awarded to 2 students from Northwest Ohio
- $4,500 renewable
- Deadline: February 11
- Jack and Jane Taylor Scholarship
- $5,000 renewable for 3 years
- Deadline: February 11
- BCSN Scholar Spotlight Scholarship
- Must be nominated by high-school counselor
- $1,000
- Deadline: Round 1 - Sept. 22, Round 2 - Dec. 8
- And more!
- Allen Lloyd Sr. Memorial Scholarship
- For TPS students only, it applies to career tech and colleges
- $1,000-$5,000
- Deadline: February 1
- Amount and requirements vary, check your college's website to see if you qualify
- ~ $4,000
- Deadline: February 1
- Several scholarships under one application
- $500-$1,500
- Deadline: TBD
Ruth E. Roach Scholarship
- Must be attending a public or non-profit college or university
- Christian background preferred
- $1,000-$6,000
- Deadline: April 15
Jewish Federal Foundation of Greater Toledo
- Must be attending a post-secondary institution in Ohio (or in Michigan if Michigan resident)
- Must be Jewish
- $500-$7,000
- Deadline: June 15
Kiwanis Club of Toledo Scholarships
- Awarded to 5 Toledo area seniors
- $2,000
- Deadline: April 29th
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Scholarships
- Must be knowledgeable of the Buffalo Soldiers' history
- 4 recipients - $2,000-$3,000
- Deadline: July 8
Thomas J. Seefred Trust scholarship
- Student must be from Ohio
- For college students who have been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes
- Award up to $3,000
- Deadline: June 1
- Must have a disability and live in Ohio
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above
- $5,000
- Deadline: TBD
Rose Reder Memorial Scholarship
- Toledo area students only, pursuing a career in law enforcement or related fields
- Award based on discretion and varies based on student's need
- Deadline: Feb 23
Ebeid Family Fund Scholarships
- Available to UToledo, UM-Dearborn, Wayne St., Mich Tech, U of Detroit Mercy & Kettering
- Targets Arab American/MENA, Black/African American, or Latinx students, or those with financial hardships
- $4,000-$7,500
- Deadline: TBD
- For students aging out of Foster Care
- If you have a student who will age out after the deadline, they can still apply now, but they need to contact Cassandra Arnold at GTCF for help with emancipation info on the application.
- $2,000
- Deadline: June 8
National Scholarships
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Scholarships
- Multiple scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $44,000
- Deadlines vary depending on scholarship
Wells Fargo Scholarships for People with Disabilities
- Must have an identified disability and have a GPA of 3.0 or above
- Deadline: TBD
Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship
- $10,000 for 25 students Pell Grant-eligible high school students
- Must complete FAFSA
- Deadline: TBD
Opportunity Scholarships on College Board
- Several $500 and one $40,000 national scholarship available
- Deadline: February 28
Scholarship Searcher from College Board
- Thousands of scholarships available
- Deadline varies by scholarship
Scholarship Search at scholarships.com
- Thousands of scholarships available
- Deadline varies by scholarship
- Honors the achievements of outstanding students who have succeeded in spite of adversity
- Award ranges from $10k - $25k
- One application applies you to both scholarships!
- Deadline varies by scholarship
USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
- Available to incoming college freshmen interested in going to a public land-grant HBCU
- Covers full tuition, room and board, and books for up to 4 years
- Deadline: TBD
Walmart Foundation Scholarship
- Need-based scholarship up to $6,200
- First generation students enrolled at an HBCU
- Deadline: TBD
- Need-based scholarship up to $5,000
- Outstanding students enrolled at an HBCU
- Deadline: TBD
Sour Patch Kids Mischief for Change HBCU Scholarship
- One time scholarship of up to $16,400
- Outstanding students enrolled at an HBCU
- Deadline: TBD
- One time scholarship of up to $10,000
- Must be enrolled in a Bachelors Program for computer science/programming
- Deadline varies by scholarship
Kreative Solutions HBCU Scholarship
- One time scholarship of $1,000 - $2,000
- Any major enrolled in an HBCU
- Deadline: TBD
Leblanc/Baker Scholarship for Change
- $4,000 renewable scholarship
- Available to male students attending an HBCU
- Deadline: TBD
Military Scholarships
Various branches of the military have ROTC programs that pay for full tuition and fees. Some also include a stipend. Each of these scholarships requires between four and eight years of military service after graduation. See their website for more information on how to apply.