How Rare is it to Get a Scholarship?

The odds of receiving a full private scholarship are slim. According to Kantrowitz, there are fewer than 250 such scholarships in the United States that can cover all college costs. It's not unusual for everyone except the children of billionaires (or close) to get some form of scholarship or financial aid that can make up a good portion of college expenses. Scholarships that are not need-based are usually academic-based and rarely sports-based.

It is rare to get a full sports scholarship, but a large academic scholarship is quite common. Fewer than 1 percent of students get full scholarships, which shows how hard it is to get one. However, with the right background, the right planning, and knowing where to look, your chances of getting a full scholarship can be improved. Since full scholarships are so rare, I have also included scholarships that are not full scholarships, but that have a prize amount high enough to easily cover tuition and fees at many universities.