EkeminiAs tuition costs continue to climb and the 2026-2027 academic year approaches, one truth remains unchanged: scholarships are still the best form of financial aid because they never have to be repaid. The good news? Finding and applying for them has never been easier, thanks to a new generation of smart, student-focused online platforms that do most of the heavy lifting for you.
Gone are the days of combing through scattered websites or missing deadlines buried in fine print. Today’s top scholarship platforms use artificial intelligence, personalized matching, and streamlined applications to connect students with billions of dollars in funding—often with just a single profile.
Whether you’re a high school senior finalizing college lists, a current undergraduate looking for renewable awards, a graduate student, or even a non-traditional learner, these eight platforms consistently rank as the most trusted, effective, and user-friendly heading into 2026.
Here are the undisputed leaders you should bookmark right now.
1. Going Merry (goingmerry.com)
The all-in-one favorite of college counselors in 2025–2026. Going Merry matches you to vetted scholarships and lets you apply to dozens of them using one bundled application. Its clean interface and integration with the Common App make it especially popular with high school seniors.
2. Fastweb (fastweb.com)
The granddaddy of scholarship search engines with a database of over 1.5 million scholarships worth more than $3.4 billion. Create a profile once and receive deadline alerts, internship leads, and hyper-specific matches (think “left-handed nursing majors from Oregon”).
3. Bold.org (bold.org)
The rising star of 2025–2026. Bold.org hosts hundreds of exclusive no-essay scholarships and lets friends or teachers nominate you for extra entries. Its sleek design and daily new awards keep students coming back.
4. Scholarships.com (scholarships.com)
A powerhouse with 26+ million users. Known for uncovering hidden local and low-competition awards that bigger platforms sometimes miss. Excellent for students in specific majors or geographic areas.
5. ScholarshipOwl (scholarshipowl.com)
The “autopilot” option. ScholarshipOwl repurposes your answers across hundreds of applications and even auto-enters you into new scholarships that match your profile. The free tier is solid; the paid “Owl VIP” upgrade is worth it for serious applicants.
6. BigFuture by College Board (bigfuture.collegeboard.org)
The official, nonprofit-backed platform tied to the makers of the SAT. Completely free, no ads, and seamlessly connected to the new 2026-2027 FAFSA. Ideal if you already have a College Board account.
7. Scholarships360 (scholarships360.org)
A favorite among first-generation and underrepresented students. Curates high-quality lists by major, state, identity, and deadline—then emails you personalized recommendations. Their famous “No-Essay” $10,000 scholarship is still running in 2026.
8. Scholly by Sallie Mae (getschooled.com or salliemae.com/scholarships)
Mobile-first and lightning fast. Scholly’s algorithm surfaces scholarships in seconds, and its built-in FAFSA guidance is perfect for students who want to pair scholarships with federal aid planning.
Final Tips for 2026 Success
- Sign up for at least 2–3 platforms to maximize coverage.
- Use a dedicated email address (you’ll thank yourself later).
- Complete your profile 100%—the more details you provide, the better the matches.
- Start early: many of the biggest 2026-2027 scholarships open in January and close by March.
The money is out there, and these platforms have proven they can help real students claim it. Don’t leave free funding on the table—create your accounts today and let 2026 be the year your education pays for itself.
Ekemini