Scholarship Platform Facts: Bold.org vs. Scholarship America 2025

Finding the right scholarships can be the difference between affording college and struggling with student debt. At Bold.org, we create, fund, and host exclusive scholarships, awarding millions in direct financial aid to help students access the funding they need.

With millions of students using our platform, insights from a dedicated campus advisory board, and experience partnering with college counselors, we understand the obstacles students face, from navigating complex applications to finding scholarships.

While Bold.org is one resource for scholarship opportunities, it’s not the only one. Scholarship America is another well-known platform that helps students secure financial aid, but the two operate in very distinct ways. Knowing how these platforms compare can help you make informed choices about where to find funding and how to maximize opportunities.

That’s why we’ve created this comparison to examine scholarship availability, application processes, and accessibility on Bold.org and Scholarship America to provide a clear breakdown of how each platform operates and supports students. Let’s take a closer look.

Scholarship Platform Review Process

To better understand how Bold.org and Scholarship America support students, we analyzed key factors that impact scholarship accessibility and effectiveness:

• Scholarship Availability: The number of exclusive scholarships offered, how they are funded, and the total amount of aid distributed.
• Search & Application Processes: How students find and apply for scholarships, including the number of search filters, ease of use, and whether third-party accounts are required.
• Awarding & Eligibility Criteria: How scholarships are awarded, the typical award amounts, and the range of opportunities available.

Our analysis is based on publicly available data, platform features, and user experiences. This research aims to help students, educators, and financial aid professionals not only understand where to find scholarship opportunities but also make informed decisions about which platforms align best with their needs. By comparing these platforms, we hope to expand access to funding and simplify the scholarship search process.

Key Differences Between Bold.org & Scholarship America

Both Bold.org and Scholarship America offer exclusive scholarships that aren’t available on other platforms, but they differ in how scholarships are sourced, funded, and distributed.

• Bold.org creates, funds, and hosts its own scholarships while also allowing individual donors and organizations to establish new opportunities. Currently, the platform provides access to over 700 exclusive scholarships, awarding millions in direct financial aid. The variety of funding sources allows for scholarships ranging from a few hundred dollars to as much as $50,000.
• Scholarship America primarily distributes scholarships funded by corporate and nonprofit partners. While the organization has awarded $5.7 billion in scholarships over time, it currently lists 43 open scholarship opportunities. These scholarships often have larger award amounts, but there are fewer total opportunities available compared to Bold.org.

Both platforms allow students to complete applications directly on their respective websites without requiring third-party accounts. Additionally, Bold.org allows users to view past winners' submissions, offering insight into successful applications. Scholarship America does not publicly display past winners' responses, which may be due to differences in privacy policies or funding structures.

Awarding Scholarships on Bold.org vs. Scholarship America

Bold.org has awarded over 5,000 scholarships, distributing $33.9 million in direct financial aid. The average recipient receives approximately $1,700, but award amounts vary significantly depending on the scholarship.

Scholarship America has facilitated the distribution of $5.7 billion in scholarships, but the majority of these funds come from external corporate and nonprofit partners rather than the platform itself. These scholarships tend to have larger individual payouts, but fewer opportunities are available at any given time.

For students, this means that Bold.org may provide a broader range of scholarship options, while Scholarship America may offer fewer overall opportunities.

Finding Scholarships on Bold.org vs. Scholarship America

When it comes to finding scholarships, both platforms allow students to browse their listings without creating an account, but the search experience differs.

• Bold.org features 52 search filters, allowing students to refine results based on major, grade level, essay requirements, and other criteria. This level of customization makes it easier to find tailored opportunities.
• Scholarship America offers 18 search filters, primarily based on grade level and broad eligibility criteria. While its database is smaller, the simpler filtering system may be easier to navigate for those seeking general opportunities.

A Commitment to Students, Now and in the Future

Both Bold.org and Scholarship America provide carefully curated selections of exclusive scholarships with on-site applications. Their primary differences lie in user experience and the types of scholarships offered:

• Bold.org offers a large, searchable database with extensive filters, making it easier to find tailored opportunities. Scholarships are funded by donors and Bold.org itself.
• Scholarship America provides a smaller database with broader eligibility filters, which may appeal to students looking for general opportunities. Scholarships are funded by corporate and nonprofit partners.

For students, educators, and financial aid professionals, understanding these distinctions can help inform decisions about where to search for scholarships. By understanding the unique strengths of each platform, you can make more informed decisions about where to find and recommend scholarships, ensuring better access to funding for those who need it most.