[quote=@Multifarious] Why are almost all scholarships based on financial need? Just because my parents make enough money that they could contribute a little bit to my edication does not mean that they will. So where does that leave people like me? Most scholarships require financial need to be eligible, and a lot of the ones that don't are exclusively for women or exclusively for minorities. The few I can apply for I don't win, because they're basically like playing the lottery in terms of odds. Seriously. It is absolutely aggravating and I cannot stand it. [/quote] I suppose it's a matter of triaging - there is only so much money going to scholarships, so they figure people who's parents couldn't contribute are in more need than you. This is a case I'd say blame the fact we have a pay-to-play economy.