Components

• What ties all full ride university scholarships together is the fact that they cover most, if not all, of the costs associated with going to college. To be a full scholarship, a scholarship must cover the entire tuition. Full scholarships may also cover course and student fees that are mandatory for enrollment. Some full ride scholarships include money for textbooks and basic class supplies. The most extensive full ride scholarships add money for transportation, housing, meals and even a computer.
  
  

Sources

• Several groups offer full scholarships. Universities themselves offer full ride scholarships to attract certain students. Some state university systems offer full ride scholarships that recipients can use at any of the state university campuses. Corporations also offer full ride scholarships. Nonprofit foundations are another place for students to look. Funding from a corporation or nonprofit group might be on an annual basis, requiring the student to renew or reapply each year, or it might pay for a full four years of college up front. University scholarships generally last for the length of a degree-granting program.
  
  

Types

• Full ride scholarships fall into several categories based on how students can qualify for them. Most full rides are merit-based, rewarding students with excellent standardized test scores or a strong record of high school achievement. Another type of full ride scholarship is an athletic scholarship, which universities use to attract top athletes. Some full ride scholarships are based on need and are only available to minority students or those with low family incomes.
  
  

Applying

• Some full ride scholarships don't allow students to apply directly. Instead, test administrators, athletic recruiters or university admissions boards identify scholarship candidates and award merit-based scholarship offers without student input. Other full ride scholarships allow students to apply by submitting their credentials along with personal essays and, in the case of need-based scholarships, financial documents that prove the student's need for resources. Students may need to apply for a renewal each year or an extension if their graduation date changes.