Find Scholarships And Financial Aid.

CollegeWhale.com is your #1 source for help with college financial aid, think of us as College Financial Aid 101, just like any other college course... except we don’t give out homework or start at 8am. Since 2006, CollegeWhale.com has been the leading independent source for helping college students and parents of college students find scholarships and learn about financial aid for college.

As an informative organization we are dedicated to providing current information on scholarships, grants, federal student loans, private student loans, and student loan consolidation. CollegeWhale.com is here to provide you with the information you need to make the choices that are best for you.

Multi Million Dollar Scholarship Database.

The Largest Scholarship Database with No downloads, No Registrations, and No Personal Information Required! The CollegeWhale.com Easiest Scholarship Search Ever gives you fast and easy access to one of the largest online scholarship databases. Get matched with TONS of college scholarships in just a few simple clicks. Scholarship money for college made simple, period.

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How To Pay For College: A Step-By-Step Guide.

Applying for college is hard enough, that the last thing most want to think about is how to pay for college. Figuring out college financial aid can be overwhelming, but with college costs on the rise, the reality is most students will need some kind of financial aid to help cover college costs. CollegeWhale.com has set out to simplify the college financial aid process by providing you with a basic outline of how you should began your college financial aid journey.

  • Scholarships and Grants

    Scholarships and Grants
  • Federal Financial Aid

    Federal Financial Aid
  • State Financial Aid

    State Financial Aid
  • Private Student Loans

    Private Student Loans
Scholarships and Grants

Campus-Based Scholarships and Grants.

Campus-based scholarships and grants are provided by the individual college, school or university. Campus-based scholarships and grants provide the student with money for college that does not need to be repaid. Typically, you are automatically eligible for need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants from the individual school upon submission of your college application, however some schools may require additional forms. Keep Reading: Campus-Based Scholarships and Grants

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Private Scholarships and Grants

Private Scholarships and Grants.

Private scholarships and grants also provide the student with money for college that will not need to be repaid. Privately funded scholarships and grants can come from various businesses, corporations, organizations, and clubs. Each private scholarship and/or grant will have it’s own eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Keep Reading: How to Win Campus-Based Scholarships and Grants

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Federal and State Financial Aid

Federal and State Financial Aid.

FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) is your gateway to all federal financial aid available for college. You must complete and file a FAFSA to be eligible for federal financial aid for college. Federal financial aid for college is need-based and includes the following types of aid: Grants, Work-Study, and Federal Student Loans. Grants provide money for college that will not need to be repaid, work-study provides part-time employment to help students earn money while enrolled in school, and federal loans provide money for college that will need to be repaid with interest. The only way for a student to receive any of the forms of federal financial aid listed above is to complete a FAFSA.

State financial aid for college is similar to federal financial aid, but on a local level. In most states you are eligible for state financial aid automatically when you submit your FAFSA, however some states require additional forms, so it is important to check the requirements of your own state. Keep Reading: How to Use Federal and State Financial Aid

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Private Student Loans

Private Student Loans.

Private student loans for college are provided by banks and other lending instructions, and are credit-based loans. Unlike federal financial aid, private student loans are not need based. Experts suggest exhausting all other college financial aid options before applying for private student loans.

Private student loans are an option for students who need additional funding to cover college expenses after exhausting federal and state financial aid options. These loans are provided by banks, credit unions, and other lending institutions. Unlike federal loans, private student loans are credit-based, meaning your eligibility and terms depend on factors like your credit score and income. Keep Reading: How Private Student Loans Work

College Ave vs. SoFi: Which Private Student Loan Is Better? SoFi vs. Sallie Mae: Private Student Loan Comparison 2025 Abe vs. SoFi: Comparing Private Student Loan Rates and Features Ultimate Guide to Comparing the Best Private Student Loan Lenders Earnest vs Discover Private Student Loans Learn How Private Student Loans Work: Who Qualifies And When to Use Them Are Private Student Loans The Only Choice After FAFSA Why Did My Private Student Loan Interest Rate Increase How To Get A Private Student Loan With Bad Credit How Parents Income Affects Private Student Loan Approval

Grad School Loans: How to Borrow Smarter.

Paying for grad school can be a challenge, but there are smart borrowing options available to help cover the cost. Whether you’re pursuing a master’s, law, medical, or professional degree, graduate student loans—like Grad PLUS Loans and private loans—can bridge the gap between financial aid and your actual expenses. We can help you compare lenders, understand your borrowing limits, and help you decide whether federal or private graduate loans are the better fit for your goals.

Will Your Employer Pay for Your Masters Degree Is The Cost Of Grad School Worth It How To Get Financial Aid For Graduate School Private Student Loans Or Grad PLUS Loans Are Grad PLUS Loans Based On Credit Grad Plus Loans for Living Expenses

Borrow Smart: Student Loan Debt Recovery and Credit Strategies.

Your credit can make or break your student loan journey. From getting approved to securing low interest rates, your credit score plays a huge role—especially if you’re applying without a cosigner. CollegeWhale can help show you how student loans affect your credit, what to do if you have bad credit, and how to build or rebuild credit while managing student loan debt. Whether you’re just starting out or already facing repayment challenges, we’ve got you covered with real strategies that actually help.

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