Scholarship Application Limits: How Many Can You Get?

Paying for college can feel like a puzzle, but scholarships are the pieces that help it all fit together—without adding debt. If you’ve ever wondered "How many scholarships should I apply for?", you’re in the right place.

In this post, you’ll discover practical strategies to maximize your awards, clear up whether there is a limit to scholarships, and take control of your financial future. Let’s start by clearing up two key concepts that every scholarship seeker needs to know.

Key takeaways

• There’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can win
• There are many types of scholarships, including merit-based, full tuition, prestigious awards, sweepstakes, and local scholarships
• Winning too many scholarships can affect your financial aid package, but mostly in a positive way, reducing your dependency on loans

Is there a limit to how many scholarships you can get?

No, there’s no limit to how many scholarships you can get. The world of scholarships is wide open, encouraging you to apply and win as much money as you can to reduce your financial burden.

For most students, athletic scholarships are unlikely. Besides, those aren’t exactly the type of scholarships you can just submit an application for. For that reason, this article will focus on the types of scholarships open to most students - and you may just be surprised at how many of those there are.

What types of scholarships can you get?

Understanding scholarships is your first step to maximizing the amount of money you can get for college. Let's take a quick look at the different types of scholarships:

• Merit scholarships: These are often awarded on the basis of academic or extracurricular performance. These are generally given along with a college’s admission decision.
• Full tuition scholarships: These are rare scholarships that cover the entire cost of your college education. In some cases, it might even cover the cost of room and board.
• Prestigious awards: Recognized nationally or globally, these scholarships are often awarded depending on academic achievement, financial need, or philanthropic efforts.
• Sweepstakes: Just fill out a quick registration, making it easy to apply and win. The amount may vary widely, between a small amount and a full ride.
• Local scholarships: They’re offered by organizations that want to give financial aid to students in their community attending college.

Where can you apply and find scholarships?

You can use platforms like TuitionHero that give you a list of scholarships that match your profile based on your location, GPA, test scores, and so on. Talking to financial aid administrators at your prospective schools, as well as your high school guidance counselor, can help you find college or local scholarships that might be overlooked.

TuitionHero Tip

Always keep an eye out for opportunities; scholarship offers can come from the most unexpected places.

Is there any risk in winning too many scholarships?

Technically, yes. In rare cases, winning too many scholarships can reduce your financial need to the point that you no longer qualify for need-based financial aid or subsidized loans. Ironically, this can actually make college less affordable.

That’s an unusual scenario, but it is a possibility, so make sure you understand how accepting scholarships will affect your financial aid package. For the most part, winning scholarships reduces your dependency on loans, saving you money over the long run.

If you're fortunate enough to have more scholarship funds than needed for your college costs, there are rare cases where your scholarship earnings might exceed your expenses, leaving you with extra funds when you graduate.

However, this rarely happens - keep in mind that this situation is subject to rules and regulations set by the scholarship provider. In some cases, you may be required to pay certain funds back due to what’s known as “Overpayment.”

Can winning scholarships affect your college expenses?

When your scholarship fund grows enough to cover a big part of your college expenses, your payment sources change significantly. For example, let's say your annual tuition is $50,000, and you receive a merit scholarship from the institution worth $20,000.

Now, if you win an outside scholarship of $15,000, the school will use this money to replace the student loans in your financial aid package, saving you from future repayment burdens.

In essence, hitting the scholarship jackpot not only makes your time in college easier but also shapes the repayment schedule of your loans down the road. That's why we at TuitionHero constantly emphasize the importance of actively seeking and applying for relevant scholarships.

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How scholarship displacement can impact your aid (and state protections to know)

When you win outside scholarships, your school may need to adjust your overall aid so it doesn’t exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA). This process is called scholarship displacement.

How it works:

• Over-award check: If (FAFSA aid + institutional aid + outside scholarships) is more than your COA, the school must reduce some aid.
• Aid reductions:
  1. Self-help aid first (loans, work-study)
  2. Institutional grants/scholarships
  3. Federal grants (only as a last resort)

Many students ask, "Is there a limit to how many scholarships you can apply to?" before they start, but there isn’t, so apply widely. However, understanding how is there a limit on scholarships in your total package can prevent surprises.

State protections

Some states forbid colleges from cutting need-based aid when you receive external scholarships. In these places, your private awards won’t “push out” other grants.

• California
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Washington

TuitionHero Tip

As soon as you learn you’ve won an outside scholarship, notify your financial aid office. That way, they can apply any state protections and choose the best aid to reduce.

Student Aid Index vs. Expected Family Contribution: Maximize your scholarship strategy

In July 2023, the FAFSA replaced the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI). Understanding the difference helps you predict how many scholarships can you get and how they interact with federal aid.

Key differences:

• EFC assumed how much your family could pay.
• SAI shows both your family’s expected contribution and your eligibility:
  • Can be zero or negative for very high-need families.
  • Drives Pell Grant and other federal aid amounts.

Why it matters for scholarships:

• SAI + all aid is less or equal to COA: No displacement—your school won’t need to cut anything.
• SAI + all aid is more than COA: Your school must adjust aid to avoid an over-award (see “How scholarship displacement can impact your aid”).

Wondering "Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can get?" Technically no, but knowing your SAI and COA helps you plan which awards to prioritize.

Action steps:

1. Estimate your SAI: Use your school’s Net Price Calculator (NPC) online.
2. Compare with COA: See how much room you have for outside scholarships.
3. Plan accordingly: If you’re close to the COA limit, prioritize scholarships that allow room for additional federal or institutional grants.

Dos and don'ts of applying for scholarships

Starting a scholarship hunt? It's smart to have a strategy. From understanding eligibility to preparing application requirements, here's a quick guide on the do’s and don’ts to increase your chances in the scholarship game.

Advantages and disadvantages of applying to scholarships

As we learn more about scholarships, let's consider the advantages and potential drawbacks of the scholarship-hunting game.

Advantages of scholarship applications

• They reduce your financial burden significantly. The more scholarships you win, the less you have to borrow for your education.
• They reinforce your resume by showcasing your skills, talents, and dedication to your chosen field.
• In cases of surplus, scholarships can allow you to graduate with extra funds as long as there are no restrictions from the scholarship provider.

Disadvantages of scholarship applications

• The application process can take up a lot of time and energy.
• Scams aren’t uncommon in the scholarship world, so it’s crucial to make sure the scholarship is from a legitimate source.
• In rare cases, winning too many scholarships can make you ineligible for certain need-based financial aid or loan programs.

Pell Grant 2025–26 maximum stuck at $7,395, but a $750 boost proposed

For the 2025–26 award year, the maximum Federal Pell Grant remains fixed at $7,395, the same level as the prior year under current continuing appropriations.

However, the U.S. Department of Education’s FY 2025 budget proposal seeks to raise that maximum to $8,145—a $750 boost split between discretionary and mandatory funds—pending Congressional approval.

Why trust TuitionHero

At TuitionHero, we simplify college finance, from FAFSA help to student loan refinancing. Our scholarship program offers numerous options to fund your education and guides you through the application process. The more scholarships you receive, the less you need to rely on loans. Our goal is to make paying for college easy.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What information do I need to apply for scholarships?

The necessary information generally includes documentation of your academic achievements, letters of recommendation, a well-written essay, and specific information related to the particular scholarship.

How do I know if a scholarship is legitimate?

Check if the scholarship comes from a reputable organization. Verify contact information on their official website. Be careful of scholarships that demand fees or too much personal information. And don’t forget, TuitionHero can help you filter out legitimate scholarships.

Can I apply for scholarships before getting accepted to a college?

Yes, many scholarships are open to high school students. Early applications also increase your chances of winning. Check out our scholarship catalog on TuitionHero to find scholarships you can apply for at an early stage.

What are my chances of winning a scholarship?

Your chances of winning a scholarship can increase significantly just by applying to more scholarships. Tailoring your application, meeting deadlines, and proofreading your submissions can also increase your likelihood of winning. Check out our tips on TuitionHero for a more detailed guide.

Final thoughts

Scholarship success isn’t just about winning awards—it’s about understanding how those dollars fit into your overall aid picture. Once you know how many scholarships can you have, you can make informed decisions without risking over-award issues.

If you ever wonder if there is a limit to the number of scholarships you can receive, remember that the only real cap is your Cost of Attendance.

And if you ask if there is a limit to how many scholarships you can get, the answer remains no—so long as you keep your COA in mind and communicate with your financial aid office. Now, go ahead and launch your scholarship action plan with confidence!

Sources

• Scholarship - Wikipedia
• Scholarships in the United States - Wikipedia