Scholarship America

Scholarship America is a U.S. nonprofit focused on helping students access, persist in, and complete postsecondary education through scholarship administration, emergency aid, and college-success support. Founded in 1958, it has grown into a national scholarship and educational support organization that works with students, employers, foundations, and community partners across the country. Its headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The organization is best known for designing and administering scholarship programs for corporate, institutional, and philanthropic partners, while also operating its own student-support initiatives. Scholarship America reports that it has distributed more than $5.7 billion to more than 3.2 million students since its founding. Its work spans undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and certificate pathways, with an emphasis on reducing financial barriers that can interrupt enrollment or completion. A concrete example of its direct-service model is the Dream Award, a renewable scholarship program for students who have completed at least one year of college and need support to finish their degrees. Scholarship America also runs the Emergency Grants program, which provides short-term financial assistance to students facing unexpected crises that threaten their ability to stay enrolled. In addition, the organization operates Dollars for Scholars, a network of community-based scholarship affiliates that mobilize local volunteers and donors to support students in their own towns and regions. Scholarship America’s role in higher education extends beyond awarding funds. It combines scholarship management, student advising and support, and emergency financial intervention to address both college access and completion. Its national scale, long operating history, and mix of partner-administered and organization-led programs make it a significant intermediary in the U.S. education and college affordability landscape.