12 Free Scholarship Databases Every Student Should Search

12. State Scholarship Portals and College Foundation Sites

Overview: State higher-education agencies and campus foundations maintain portals listing residency-based awards, workforce incentives, and institutionally funded scholarships. These portals often host awards that aren’t widely publicized outside the state or college network. Key features: Residency-based filters, teacher- or workforce-targeted incentives, and institution-specific awards tied to colleges’ foundations or departments. Search/filters: Portal capabilities vary by state; most allow filtering by county, major, and level of study. Registration/privacy: Free to search; some portals require account creation to apply or save awards. Best for: Students who qualify for state residency awards or who plan to attend in-state colleges and want local support. Pro tip: Search “[your state] scholarship portal” and bookmark your state agency’s site. Also check your college’s foundation site for donor-funded awards specific to your campus. Source examples: state agency pages such as California Student Aid Commission (https://www.csac.ca.gov) and individual college foundation pages.