"Outside" aid includes any funding such as scholarships, grants, and benefits that is awarded directly to a student by any non-school affiliates, businesses, organizations, groups, or individuals. "Outside" aid can be based on a variety of criteria including academic merit, financial need, community service, area of study, organization to which the student and/or parents belong, place of residence or employment, and ethnic or religious background. Often "outside" aid be applied to any college or university, including UNC-Chapel Hill.

The best time to investigate "outside" scholarships is fall and spring before the school year you will be attending college. Deadlines for some scholarships are as early as October 1st or as late as April 1st. It is important to note that "outside" sources of funding may affect the amount of need-based financial aid you are allowed to receive in your total financial aid award package. If you receive "outside" scholarships or aid, you must submit our "Outside Scholarships and Resources Reporting Form" form to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Books to search for information about "outside" scholarship and scholarship sponsors are usually available at your public library. There are also quite a few websites with information about "outside" scholarships for which you might qualify to apply. Below is a sampling of links to some specific scholarship programs. For a larger list of "outside" scholarships and sponsors, stop by our Scholarships Resource Center in 117 Vance Hall (1st floor) for a Web Resources Guide. You are welcome check our binders of information and to utilize our computer workstation to assist in your search.

There are databases of outside scholarships and financial aid on the web. Some are searchable. Often the student can fill out a page of questions and the database will use that information to match the student with scholarships. Databases will usually give some pertinent information about the scholarships such as certain criteria, deadlines and award amounts, and will also list the address and/or phone number for the scholarship so the student can request an application.

Before you search:

• Beware; there are scholarship scammers amongst us! Check out this scholarship scam information from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
   
• Note that the scholarship search web sites to which we provide links do not charge for the search; however, some websites may sell your name to other companies. When you register to participate in the search, you should consider whether you want to receive mailings from groups who may buy your name and address from the website owners.