Scholarships are financial aids given to students to help pay for their education. They can be merit-based, need-based, or based on specific criteria such as academic achievement, community service, or extracurricular activities. Scholarships can be awarded by schools, universities, government agencies, private organizations, or individuals. Students typically apply for scholarships by submitting an application that includes academic records, letters of recommendation, essays, and other supporting documents. Scholarship recipients are usually selected based on their qualifications and potential to succeed in their chosen field of study.