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Is Scholarship Owl Legit? Real Student Experiences

Updated: January 2026

MIXED

Scholarship Owl is technically legit - it matches you to real scholarships.

However, most useful features are behind a paywall that now costs $69/month (was $20/year). Students report better results using free alternatives and searching for local scholarships directly. Not a scam, but not worth paying for.

Key Findings

What It Is

Matches you to real scholarships

Main Risk

Massive price increase ($20/year to $69/month)

Best Action

Use free alternatives: Scholarships.com, Fastweb, Going Merry

The Pattern

→Matches you to real scholarships
→Most features hidden behind paywall
→Started at $20/year, now $69/month
→Can see matches without paying, but can't apply through site
→Students use it to find scholarship names, then Google them
→Free alternatives provide same scholarships
→Local scholarships have better win rates

Red Flags

Warning: Massive price increase ($20/year to $69/month)
Warning: Heavy paywall on useful features
Warning: Can't apply without paying
Warning: Same scholarships available free elsewhere
Warning: Profile data issues reported (wrong birthdates)
Warning: Called a 'scam' by some students
Warning: Profits from stressed students
Warning: National scholarships have 20,000+ applicants

What To Do

1Use free alternatives: Scholarships.com, Fastweb, Going Merry
2If you use Scholarship Owl, don't pay - just see matches and Google them
3Focus on local scholarships from your school district
4Check professional organizations in your field
5Search Google directly: '[your major] scholarship [your state]'
6Talk to school counselor for local opportunities
7Join professional orgs ($20-50 student discount, scholarships + mentorship)
8Look for company-specific scholarships with fewer applicants

What NOT To Do

✕Don't pay $69/month for scholarship searches
✕Don't rely only on major scholarship websites
✕Don't ignore local scholarships for national ones
✕Don't skip no-essay scholarships (less competitive)
✕Don't use Bold.org as primary source (very competitive)
✕Don't give up after applying to a few - apply to many

Copy-Paste Script

I signed up for Scholarship Owl on [date]. The service is not as advertised. I request immediate cancellation and full refund. Account: [email]. Confirmation: [number].

FAQ

Should I pay for Scholarship Owl?

No. It's now $69/month (was $20/year). Free alternatives like Scholarships.com, Fastweb, and Going Merry show the same scholarships. Use Scholarship Owl free to see matches, then Google the scholarships directly.

Is it a scam?

Not technically - they show real scholarships. But it's a poor value. You're paying for access to public information available free elsewhere. Some students call it a scam due to misleading pricing and paywalls.

What are better alternatives?

Free: Scholarships.com, Scholarship360, Fastweb, Going Merry, TUN Scholarships, Discover's scholarship list. Also check professional organizations in your field - they offer scholarships, mentorship, and networking for $20-50 student membership.

Should I focus on national or local scholarships?

Local. National scholarships have 20,000+ applicants. Local scholarships from your school district have far less competition and better odds. Start with your school counselor's list.

How do I find scholarships without these sites?

Google: '[your major] scholarship [your state]'. Skip the big databases in results. Look for individual companies and organizations hosting their own scholarships. These are less competitive.

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