EnwongoWhen it comes to scholarships, there’s practically no limit to how many you can receive. But while you can win multiple scholarships, it’s important to understand how they interact with your college’s financial aid package, tax implications, and what happens if you exceed your cost of attendance. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is There a Limit to How Many Scholarships You Can Get?
Technically, you can win as many scholarships as you qualify for. Scholarships function as “free money” that doesn’t need to be repaid. Whether you’re awarded a $500 local scholarship or a $50,000 national one, you can keep applying and stacking awards. However, the total amount of financial aid—including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study—cannot exceed your school’s Cost of Attendance (COA). If it does, your school must adjust your aid to avoid an over-award.
How Do Scholarships Affect Your Financial Aid Package?
When colleges create your financial aid package, they calculate how much aid you’re eligible for based on your Student Aid Index (SAI)—formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)—and your total Cost of Attendance.
If your SAI plus the sum of your financial aid (including scholarships) exceeds the COA, your school will reduce parts of your financial aid, often starting with loans or work-study before cutting grants or institutional aid. Always notify your school’s financial aid office about any outside scholarships as soon as possible to avoid surprises.
Can You Keep Leftover Scholarship Money?
In rare cases, if your scholarship funds exceed your tuition and required fees, your school may issue you a refund check. However, if these leftover funds are not spent on qualified educational expenses like books, supplies, or equipment, they could become taxable income. Always read your scholarship’s terms and ask your provider if funds can cover other costs, such as rent or a laptop.
How Many Scholarships Should You Apply For?
There’s no rule—apply for as many as you can. Since award amounts vary widely, the best strategy is to apply for a mix of big national scholarships and smaller local or niche ones. The more you apply, the higher your odds of winning. Many experts recommend treating scholarship applications like a part-time job, dedicating several hours each week.
How to Maximise the Number of Scholarships You Get
1. Start Early
Begin applying by the summer before your senior year. On platforms like Bold.org, you can start as early as age 14.
2. Apply Broadly
Don’t limit yourself—apply for dozens of scholarships. Even small awards add up and can help with books or living expenses.
3. Prepare Strong Applications
Proofread essays, gather recommendation letters, and tailor each application to match the scholarship’s goals. Share drafts with counsellors or teachers for feedback.
What If You Win Too Many Scholarships?
Although it’s rare, if your total aid exceeds your COA, your college will adjust your aid. Most schools first reduce your loans or work-study, protecting your grants and scholarships. If your scholarship provider sends money directly to you, ask if it can cover costs beyond tuition, like room, board, or academic equipment.
How many scholarships do most students get?
Most students receive between one to three scholarships during their academic journey, though this varies greatly by effort and eligibility. Many secure local or smaller awards that range from $500 to $2,000, alongside possible institutional grants or merit-based aid from their universities. According to national data, about 58% of families use scholarships or grants to help pay for college.
Students who actively search, apply widely, and start early tend to accumulate more awards. While there’s no official average, determined students often apply for dozens of scholarships to increase their chances. It’s wise to treat scholarship hunting like a part-time job, as stacking multiple small scholarships can significantly reduce your tuition burden and help avoid student loans.
Can I get a $100 scholarship to Harvard?
Yes, it’s possible to get even a $100 scholarship at Harvard, though typically, awards there are much larger. Harvard’s robust financial aid focuses on need-based grants, often covering significant portions—sometimes the entire cost—of attendance, without requiring repayment. However, small external scholarships, like $100 awards from local clubs or businesses, can also be applied toward your Harvard bill.
These often reduce your student or family contribution rather than replacing Harvard’s grants. Always report outside scholarships to Harvard’s financial aid office to ensure proper coordination. So while a $100 scholarship is relatively minor compared to Harvard’s typical aid packages, every bit helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses or future financial responsibilities.
What is the most scholarships someone has received?
Though hard to track globally, some standout cases in the U.S. have seen students secure over $1 million in scholarships. These rare achievements usually involve dozens—sometimes hundreds—of individual awards from various private organisations, local contests, and national programs. Such students often dedicate extensive time to applications, essays, and interviews, strategically targeting scholarships with specific eligibility criteria.
Notably, in recent years, students like Jasmine Harrison and others have made headlines for exceeding $1 million in total scholarship offers, even though they could only accept funding up to their college’s cost of attendance. These extraordinary examples underscore how persistence and casting a wide net can unlock life-changing opportunities, dramatically reducing or eliminating the need for student loans.
FAQs on How Many Scholarships You Can Get
How many scholarships does the average student apply for?
Students are encouraged to apply for dozens of scholarships throughout high school and college. The 2019–2020 average total grant and scholarship aid was around $19,654.
What’s the easiest scholarship to get?
No-essay scholarships are the simplest to apply for, but often the most competitive. Look for awards with specific eligibility criteria, which reduces competition.
Can you keep the leftover scholarship money?
Sometimes. If your school refunds unused scholarship funds, you may keep them, but you could owe taxes on amounts not used for qualified expenses.
In conclusion, there’s no hard cap on the number of scholarships you can receive. As long as your total aid doesn’t exceed your cost of attendance, you’re free to apply for and stack multiple scholarships. Start early, apply widely, and stay organised to maximise your opportunities—and graduate with minimal or no debt.
Inyene
Enwongo
