UCanGo2 Connections: July 2026

JULY SPOTLIGHT

Scholarships

Now that summer is here, students can beat the heat and start applying for scholarships today! We recommend high school seniors apply for 2-3 scholarships each week, while juniors should aim for 1-2. With opportunities available for students of all ages, scholarship search websites are a valuable way for families to discover a wide range of awards across many categories.

Many scholarship applications are available online and can be completed in one sitting. With a little motivation, students can apply for several scholarships, which will offer them free money to help cover college expenses.

Check out these helpful tools and resources to find more scholarship opportunities this summer.

PUBLICATION FEATURE

Scholarship Success Guide

We created the Scholarship Success Guide to give students and parents a clear, step-by-step plan for finding and applying for scholarships the right way.

This easy-to-follow resource walks you through how to plan, research, apply, and track scholarships, helping you stay organized and on schedule. It takes the guesswork out of the process, so you can focus on the opportunities that best fit you. The guide also helps students avoid common mistakes, keep up with deadlines, and build stronger applications.

By using the Scholarship Success Guide, students can apply with confidence, stay motivated, and maximize their chances of earning money for college before they even step on campus.

Finding Available Scholarships

Finding the right scholarships can feel overwhelming, but starting with what makes you unique is a great first step. Scholarships aren’t just based on grades, they’re awarded for a wide range of talents, experiences, and interests. Use the categories below as a guide to help you identify opportunities that match who you are and where you’re headed.

Academic achievement (GPA, test scores, class rank)
Financial need
Extracurricular activities (sports, music, theater, clubs)
Community service or volunteer work
Leadership experience
Health challenges or medical conditions (physical disabilities, vision or hearing impairments, chronic illnesses, etc.)
Intended major or career field (STEM, education, healthcare, etc.)
Hobbies or special interests (art, gaming, writing, photography, hiking, etc.)
Essay or creative submissions
Demographics or background (first-generation, rural students, etc.)
Employer or parent affiliation (workplace-based scholarships)
Military connection (service members or dependents)
Local or community-based awards (organizations, foundations, civic groups)
Brand names (Coca-Cola, Burger King, McDonald’s, Google, Starbucks, etc.)

Explore our helpful scholarship tools to stay organized and strengthen your applications. Use the Scholarship Tracker to keep a running list of awards, deadlines, and submission dates so nothing slips through the cracks. Our Scholarship Essay Tips will also help you craft a strong, engaging essay that stands out to reviewers.

Ready to get started? Visit UCanGo2 to search a list of scholarship opportunities, organized by deadline. OKcollegestart.org also offers a scholarship database that houses over 20,000 scholarships. Students can sign up to receive monthly emails with scholarship options that match their interests and profile.

Thumbnail of Scholarship Tracker Publication with a chart to enter scholarship information

The Sky’s the Limit!

There’s no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for! Scholarships are free money that can reduce or even eliminate the need for student loans.

If you earn more scholarship funds than you can use, your school may reduce other financial aid or return excess funds. That’s why it’s important to share any scholarships you receive with your financial aid office. They can help you make the most of your awards.

Good luck!