Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships are a powerful way to reduce your out-of-pocket costs or loan debt. These awards are entirely separate from Lenoir-Rhyne’s internal scholarship and merit application process—meaning you can pursue them in addition to any institutional aid you receive.

Where to Begin

  • Local Community Resources: Start your search close to home by exploring scholarships through community foundations, service clubs, civic organizations, and volunteer groups in your area.
  • Religious Institutions & Employers: Churches, synagogues, mosques, or other religious communities often offer scholarships. Additionally, check whether your—or your family's—employer provides tuition assistance or scholarships.
  • Online Searches: Don’t stop there—expand your search through internet databases and scholarship platforms. Persistence here pays off big.

Free Scholarship Resources

Here are some trusted, no-cost resources to help you uncover external scholarship opportunities:

  • CFNC - the College Foundation of North Carolina, offering a range of scholarship listings.
  • BigFuture | College Board - complete key college planning steps on your personalized dashboard such as building your college, career and scholarship lists.
  • Niche College Scholarships - apply for scholarships by selecting a category or matching with personalized scholarships tailored to your eligibility.
  • Fastweb - an extensive online scholarship search engine.
  • FinAid - a comprehensive site on student financial aid and scholarships.
  • SASFAA - the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, which offers curated scholarship lists.
  • Scholarships.com - a large database of both undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities.

Avoid Pitfalls

Be cautious of scholarship scams:

  • Never pay for scholarship lists or information—the scholarships listed on this page are freely available.
  • Avoid giving out sensitive personal data; some unscrupulous actors may exploit it for identity theft.

Important Application Considerations

  • Read the Fine Print: Some scholarships may ask to use your essays, artwork or digital content for promotional purposes—even if you don't win the award. Decide if you're comfortable with that.
  • Embrace Rejection: Being turned down is part of the process—but each application you send increases your chance of success.

Quick Tips for Organizing Your Search

  • Track deadlines carefully—and stay ahead of them.
  • Keep a detailed list of the scholarships you’ve applied for (including dates and submission details).
  • Develop a versatile “stock essay” that you can tailor for different applications to save time.

Make sure you understand all terms of each scholarship, including renewal requirements, public recognition and any usage restrictions.

Help with Scholarships & Aid

For further assistance with your financial aid—whether internal or external—contact the Lenoir-Rhyne Financial Aid Office. They can guide you on how outside scholarships interact with your LR aid package and help you determine the best way to submit or report external awards.