Outside Scholarships

Numerous private scholarships are available through outside organizations and can be an invaluable source of assistance to students. Information on such scholarships is often available at your local library, the guidance office at your local high school, or on numerous web-based scholarship searches. We encourage all Suffolk students to pursue as many outside scholarship opportunities as possible.

If you are the recipient of an outside scholarship, you must report the award and the amount to the Office of Student Financial Services. It is the student’s responsibility to notify our office of any funding source not listed on your award offer. Federal regulations require that your total financial aid not exceed your calculated financial eligibility.

An outside scholarship, in most cases, will not affect your financial aid award; however, we must ensure that the combination of your financial aid and outside awards does not exceed your federal need, as determined by federal regulations. In cases where we must adjust your financial aid to prevent an "over award," we will reduce your aid starting with the self-help part of your package (Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan). We will reduce your grant/scholarship funds only as a last resort, but exceptions to this policy may be applied. This policy is effective as of July 1, 2026.

If you’re searching for outside scholarship opportunities, please consider search engines such as:

Tips for applying for outside scholarships

  • Apply early and often
    • Many scholarship opportunities go unclaimed each year simply because the award didn’t receive the perfect applicant. Don’t let free money go un-awarded!
  • Pay attention to deadlines and details
    • Deadlines are important and are used to help narrow the pool of scholarship contenders. Make sure you abide by all posted deadlines so you don’t miss out!
    • Make sure if your application requires a letter of recommendation or an essay that you be sure to include this. You don’t want your application rejected simply because it’s missing required information
  • Don’t sign up for every scholarship search service – you’ll just overwhelm yourself.
    • Focus on 1 or 2 search engines and narrow your choices from there. The more specific the scholarship criteria, the better chance you have of being selected as a winner!
  • Outside scholarships aren’t just for incoming freshman!
    • Many students are under the impression that outside scholarship opportunities are limited to new incoming students; however, many organizations and agencies offer awards to upperclassmen as well. Don’t stop looking and applying just because you’re a sophomore, junior or senior!
  • Look Local First
    • Make sure you check out all local opportunities around you. Businesses and agencies will often favor local students when selecting scholarship recipients since this helps them give back to the community

Scholarship opportunities

Please use the following scholarship guides from Study.com to help find more opportunities! The team at Study.com has developed several comprehensive financial aid and scholarship guides for college students to share information about different resources that could be utilized to fund a college education.

Note: Please read scholarship eligibility carefully. Some scholarships are not applicable to Suffolk University students. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact your aid counselor.

Note: All lists are provided to you as a reference tool. They should not be construed as an endorsement by Suffolk University of any of the organizations listed.