Resources

How to Start a Memorial Scholarship to Honor a Loved One - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:13:40 GMT

What to know about starting a memorial scholarship

A memorial scholarship creates lasting support for students while honoring someone’s life.
You decide on the purpose, name, and values the scholarship reflects.
Scholarship platforms like Scholly Scholarship Creator manage and handle rules, applications, legal details, and fund distribution, so you can focus on impact.

When you lose someone you love, you look for a way to honor their life in a way that feels lasting. For many families, creating a memorial scholarship becomes that next step. It connects someone’s memory to a student’s education.

What are Scholarship Sweepstakes - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:16:45 GMT

As head of Scholly, I hear a lot about students who feel overwhelmed by the scholarship process. Between long applications, tons of deadlines, and confusing advice, it can feel like you’re expected to do so much to get money for college.

Here’s some good news: you don’t have to start with the hardest scholarships first. That’s where scholarship sweepstakes come in. They’re one of the easiest, lowest-pressure ways to potentially win money for college—no essays, no minimum GPA, no long applications. Just simple, free entries that take minutes, not hours.

If you’re short on time but don't want to skip scholarships, scholarship sweepstakes can be a smart place to start. They won’t replace every other scholarship—but they can make the whole process feel a lot more manageable.

How to Create and Fund a Scholarship with Scholly® - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:15:46 GMT

At Scholly, we hear from hundreds of scholarship winners every year and one thing is always clear: scholarships change lives. They open doors, ease stress, and make college feel possible when it otherwise wouldn’t.

We've also heard from people who want to create scholarships—and that's just as inspiring. But they don’t know where to start, how much it costs, or whether they can really make a difference on their own.

That’s why we built Scholly^®Scholarship Creator. It allows individuals and families to create scholarships in a simple, accessible way— while still making a real impact for students who need help paying for college.

Why create your own scholarship?

People create scholarships for deeply personal reasons—but they all share a desire to help students move forward.

Personal and community motivations

Here are some common reasons we've heard for starting a scholarship:

Supporting students in financial need
Giving back to a community or school
Advancing causes like STEM, the arts, diversity, or mental health
Creating a memorial scholarship in honor of a loved one
Encouraging students in specific career paths

With Scholly Scholarship^®Creator, you don’t have to design complex applications or selection criteria. Eligible students enter with one easy form, and we manage everything for you. It's that simple.

Lasting impact for students—and for you

Scholarships don’t just help students pay for school. They can change the direction of a student’s life.

In fact, Sallie Mae's research study How America Pays for College 2025 reveals 75% of college families who used scholarships said they made college possible.

For scholarship sweepstakes creators, it’s a powerful way to give back without complexity—and to know your support is reaching a real student at a pivotal moment.

Benefits of using Scholly^® Scholarship Creator

Launch a scholarship for as little as $500

Easily set up and fund your scholarship, with no platform fees or service charges. You donate your funds and that's it.

Simple, guided setup

We designed Scholly^® Scholarship Creator to remove barriers—not add them. You don’t need legal expertise, financial experience, or a large organization behind you to launch a scholarship.

You define the scholarship details and award amount, and we take care of the rest.

Built-in scholarship management tools

Once your scholarship is live, Scholly handles the logistics.

Applications are collected through our platform, and we manage the administrative details behind the scenes—so you don't have to.

Reach the right students

Every scholarship created through Scholly^® Scholarship Creator is featured on its own exclusive landing page, in the Scholly Easy Apply application, and within our Scholly Scholarships search tool—helping reach thousands of students and families who need money for college.

For you, that means plenty of applications without having to promote the scholarship on your own.

Simplified long-term giving

Easily set up a monthly or recurring scholarship to extend your impact over time—and help more students.

Transparency and ease for funders

Trust matters when you’re giving back.

Scholly helps ensure scholarships follow required guidelines, and funds are disbursed securely and directly to the student’s school.

Step-by-step guide to setting up your scholarship

Creating a scholarship doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here’s how it works.

1. Define your purpose

Start with your “why.”

Think about what inspired you to create a scholarship and the values you want it to reflect. Add your personal story or connection to the scholarship.

2. Set key scholarship details

You’ll choose a scholarship name, award amount, and timing (one time or recurring) for your scholarship.

3. Build your scholarship in Scholly^® Scholarship Creator

You'll create an account, then enter your scholarship details. Scholly helps handle the rules, criteria, and application requirements.

4. Fund your scholarship

Submit your funds securely through Scholly’s platform. Once everything is complete, you'll receive a confirmation.

5. Publish and promote

Once published, students and parents will be able to apply for your scholarship through your exclusive scholarship page, Scholly Easy Apply, and our Scholly Scholarships search tool.

Be sure to share it through your own social network, community, or organization.

6. Let Scholly manage the applications for you

We manage the application process from start to finish—collecting submissions, handling administrative details, and helping ensure your applicants meet the required guidelines.

Once the application period wraps up, we'll select a student at random and award the scholarship.

7. Celebrate as Scholly awards your scholarship

Scholly administers the award process, including randomly selecting a recipient, communicating with the winner, and coordinating secure fund disbursement directly to the student’s school.

We'll help you stay connected to your impact. Your personal dashboard keeps you updated on every step of your scholarship, from applications to awards.

Helping students starts here

Creating a scholarship is one of the simplest ways to support students and one of the most significant ways to give back.

If you’ve been thinking about creating a scholarship, this is an easy place to start and a meaningful way to make a lasting impact.

Ready to make a difference? Explore Scholly^® Scholarship Creator and be the spark that helps more students get the money they need to chase their dreams.

Why You Should Never Pay for a Scholarship Search - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:45:35 GMT

I’ve spent a lot of time working in scholarships and helping students figure out how to pay for college. And if I could share some "insider" advice, it would be this: you should never have to pay to find scholarships.

FAFSA® Cost & Earnings Update: What You Need to Know - Sallie

Caron Jackson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:02:02 GMT

Big new for anyone planning for college: The Department of Education has updated the FAFSA^® process to include cost and earnings data for college programs - right at the point of application. No more jumping between federal websites to compare outcomes. Now, families get a clearer picture of what different programs cost and what graduates typically earn, all in one place.

National Scholarship Month: What Is It? – Sallie

John Feeley — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 22:16:40 GMT

5 key takeaways about National Scholarship Month

November is National Scholarship Month
Scholarships don’t need to be repaid, making them a smart way to cut college costs
There’s a scholarship for everyone, including no-essay options
Use tools like Scholly Scholarships and Scout College Search to simplify your search and find matches fast
Start small and apply early—every scholarship adds up to less debt and more freedom

November is all about free money for college (yes, really)

If you’re in college or planning to be, November is your month. It’s officially National Scholarship Month, which means it’s the perfect time to find free money to help pay for school. Whether you’re just starting your search or already knee-deep in applications, this is your reminder: scholarships are out there, and they’re waiting for you.

Early Decision: What is it, Deadlines, & How to Prepare - Sallie

John Feeley — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:10:17 GMT

Key takeaways about Early Decision (ED)

Early Decision (ED) is binding: if accepted, you must attend that school
Two rounds: ED1 (Nov deadline) and ED2 (Jan deadline)
Generally, colleges have higher acceptance rates for ED applicants
Early Decision is binding; Early Action gives flexibility and time
Prep early: research, visit, write essays, and understand financial aid

So, you’re thinking about early decision?

If you’re already dreaming about your top-choice college and want to boost your chances of getting in, early decision might be your move. It’s a bold step, but it can totally pay off especially if you’re confident about where you want to go.

This article breaks down everything you need to know about early decision (ED), including deadlines, differences from early action, and how to prep like a boss. Let’s get into it.

What is early decision?

Early decision is a college admission option that lets you apply to one school early—and get your results early too. The catch? It’s binding. That means if you get accepted, you’re committing to attend that school and withdraw all other applications.

There are two types:

Early decision 1 (ED1): Usually due in November, with decisions in December.
Early decision 2 (ED2): A second chance for ED, with deadlines in January and decisions in February.

If you’re 100% sure about your dream school, ED can give you a leg up. Colleges often accept a higher percentage of ED applicants because it shows serious interest.

When is the deadline for early decision?

Deadlines vary by school, but here’s a general breakdown:

Early decision 1: Most deadlines fall between November 1–15
Early decision 2: Typically due January 1–15

Always double-check with your college’s admissions page. Missing the deadline = missing the chance.

Also, keep in mind that early decision 2026 deadlines are already popping up, so don’t wait too long to start prepping.

What is the difference between early action and early decision?

Okay, let’s break it down like we’re chatting over coffee.

Early decision is binding. That means if you apply and get accepted, you’re saying “yes” and committing to that school—no take-backs. You can’t apply ED to more than one school, and if you get in, you have to withdraw all your other applications.

Early action, on the other hand, is non-binding. You still apply early and hear back early, but you’re not locked in. You can apply to multiple schools early action, compare offers, and make your final decision later in the spring.

So here’s the vibe:

Go early decision if you’ve found the one and you’re ready to commit.
Go early action if you want options and time to think things through.

Both can help you get ahead in the admissions game—you just have to choose the one that fits your situation best.

Why early decision might be your best move

Here’s why ED could be a game-changer:

Better odds: Colleges often admit a higher percentage of ED applicants.
Less stress later: You’ll know your fate early, which means less waiting and worrying.
Shows commitment: Schools love students who are all-in. ED proves you’re serious.

But it’s not for everyone. If financial aid is a big factor, remember that you won’t get to compare offers from other schools. That said, you can still apply for scholarships like the $2,000 Sallie No Essay Scholarship or check out Scholly Scholarships to help cover costs.

FAFSA® 2026–27 is Live: What You Need to Know - Sallie

Abigail Mills — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:27:45 GMT

Key takeaways about the 2026-27 FAFSA^®

The 2026–27 FAFSA^®launched earlier than the usual October 1 date, giving you a head start to apply.
Some aid is awarded first-come, first-served, so applying early may help you maximize your free money.
New features like instant Social Security number matching make completing the FAFSA^® quicker than ever.
Even if you're undecided about a college, you can should still apply for FASFA^®.
Many college and state aid programs require FAFSA^®—check their specific deadlines for submitting.

The 2026-27 FAFSA^® is open. Don't sleep on it!

The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) is officially live. That means you and your parents or guardians can start filling it out online now. The earlier you submit, the better your chances of snagging the maximum amount of aid, because some schools and states give out money on a first-come, first-served basis.

Claim These 10 Hidden Scholarships Before They're Gone - Sallie

sean.sullivan@salliemae.com (Sean Sullivan) — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:03:39 GMT

Key takeaways about hidden gem scholarships

Hidden gem scholarships often have fewer applicants, which means less competition.
Many niche awards are tied to hobbies, talents, or unique backgrounds.
Quick no-essay scholarships give you a chance to snag free money with minimal effort.
Applying for multiple hidden scholarships can add up fast.
Staying consistent and organized boosts your odds of winning.

Campus Safety Tips Every College Students Should Know - Sallie

sean.sullivan@salliemae.com (Sean Sullivan) — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:29:42 GMT

Key takeaways about college campus safety

Walk with friends at night and stick to well-lit areas.
Save emergency numbers and know your campus procedures.
Sign up for text or email alerts from your school.
Always lock your dorm or apartment and don’t prop open doors.
Look out for friends at parties and stay aware online.