Is Bold.org Legit?

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Pathward®, N.A.

What Is Bold.org?

Providing scholarships, financial solutions, and a meaningful donor platform is essential for supporting students, and at Bold.org, we’re committed to providing a secure and trustworthy platform to help students and donors achieve their goals.

Bold.org is the #1 scholarship and student banking platform in the U.S.,^‡ founded in 2019 with a mission to fight student debt and make education more accessible. Our platform helps students at all educational levels and college grads find and apply for exclusive scholarships, fellowships, and grants while offering student banking rewards.* Bold.org also empowers individuals and organizations to create and fund scholarships, fellowships, and grants, helping amplify their philanthropic impact.

In partnership with the Bold Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, Bold.org ensures that every donation is used to maximize its impact. The Bold Foundation administers scholarships, enables donors to crowdfund scholarships, and accepts tax-deductible contributions, ensuring every dollar donated is distributed directly to scholarship recipients and is 100% tax-deductible.^§

By offering students valuable funding opportunities and empowering donors to create meaningful philanthropic initiatives, Bold.org helps bridge the gap between education and accessibility. With support from thousands of donors, including public figures like Terry Crews, Cat Zingano, and Imagine Dragons, Bold.org is helping students reach their academic goals without a significant burden of student debt.

A snippet of the Bold.org home page.

In short:

• Bold.org is a legitimate scholarship and student banking platform.
• We connect students with scholarships, fellowships, grants, and banking rewards.^*
• We empower donors to create and fund scholarships.
• We partner with the Bold Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making donations tax-deductible^§ and directly benefiting recipients.
• We're supported by thousands of donors, including public figures.
• We're completely free for both students and donors.

Join Bold.org Today for Free

A snippet of the Bold.org applicant page.

How Does Bold.org Work for Students?

Bold.org provides students with opportunities to access scholarships and rewards^* that can help make funding their education more manageable.

Bold.org is a helpful resource for students seeking financial support for their education. By creating a free profile, students can access and apply for a wide variety of exclusive scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

Students can also apply for the Bold Account with the Bold Visa^® Debit Card, which comes with unique student banking rewards.^* The Bold Account is a demand deposit account provided by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC. Bold.org, Inc. is a financial technology company, not a bank.

With or without the Bold Debit Card, students can earn Bold Points.^* These Bold Points can easily be earned by engaging in activities on the platform, such as completing scholarship applications, sharing interests and experiences, and recommending Bold.org to others. With the Bold Debit Card, students can earn Bold Points on everyday purchases and have the opportunity to redeem them for cashback or student loan payments.^*

Take the first step—create your student profile today!

A snippet of the Bold.org donor page.

How Does Bold.org Work for Donors?

Bold.org helps donors turn their generosity into action, offering an easy way to fund scholarships and create opportunities for students.

Bold.org offers an easy and rewarding way for donors to create impactful scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Donors can also choose to crowdfund their scholarships directly on the platform, allowing friends, family, and the wider community to contribute to their cause. With guidance from our dedicated Donor Team, donors can define their scholarship’s purpose, application process, and selection criteria.

Once applications are submitted, our team carefully reviews them based on the donor’s criteria and provides a shortlist of the most qualified candidates. Donors can choose to review the shortlist or examine all applications themselves. Collaborating with our team, donors then select the winners.

Best of all, 100% of every donor’s contribution goes directly to the recipients, ensuring a tangible impact. Through Bold.org’s partnership with the Bold Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible,^§ enabling donors to create opportunities for students while supporting their own philanthropic goals.

Join our mission—create your donor profile today!

What Sets Bold.org Apart?

Bold.org stands out by being entirely free for both students and donors, ensuring accessibility for anyone looking to give or receive financial aid.

Beyond scholarships, Bold.org enhances the student experience by offering the Bold Account with the Bold Debit Card, which provides financial rewards^* such as cashback and student loan payment options.

The platform uniquely connects donors and students, breaking down financial barriers to education in ways that few others can.

Scholarships on Bold.org are exclusive to the platform, created by real people passionate about supporting the causes they believe in.

How to Avoid Scholarship Scams

True scholarships are free to access and apply for—if it costs you money, it’s not the opportunity you’re looking for.

While Bold.org is a trusted and legitimate scholarship platform, not every website offering scholarships has students' best interests in mind. Scholarship scams are a reality, and students must remain cautious during their search for financial aid opportunities.

Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to common scams:

• Never provide personal or financial information: Legitimate scholarships do not require banking details, credit card numbers, or other sensitive financial data.
• Research the Source: Look into the organization or individual offering the scholarship. A legitimate scholarship will usually be associated with a credible institution, foundation, or company.
• Verify Contact Information: Legitimate scholarship websites typically include clear and professional contact details. If the contact information is missing, suspicious, or unprofessional, proceed with caution.

A snippet of a Bold.org blog post on how to avoid scholarship scams.

Common Scams You Should Know

Scammers often take advantage of financial vulnerability to exploit students. Be aware of the following schemes:

1. Scholarship Search Services

Some services charge fees to provide lists of "unique" scholarships that supposedly can't be found elsewhere. In reality, these services often provide generic information that is readily available online for free. You’re essentially paying for something you could easily research yourself.

2. Application Fees

Legitimate scholarships never require payment to apply, search, or receive funds. Websites or organizations requesting application fees may be attempting to access your financial information or exploit your desire for aid.

Red Flags of Scholarship Scams

When assessing whether a scholarship is legitimate, look out for these common red flags:

• “Guaranteed or your money back”
• “You’ve been selected” (when you didn’t apply)
• “It will only cost...”
• “You just need to attend our scholarship seminar”

No legitimate scholarship will make such claims or request any form of payment, personal information, or commitment beyond a regular application process. We encourage you to research scholarship websites to make sure they're a secure scholarship service and not a scholarship scam.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bold.org

What kind of scholarships are on the Bold.org platform?

Bold.org offers a wide range of scholarships to cater to diverse needs and interests, making it easier for students to find financial aid. These scholarships include:

• Academic major scholarships (e.g., engineering, biology, business)
• Local scholarships for students from specific states or cities
• Merit scholarships recognizing academic achievements
• Sports scholarships (e.g., basketball, football, hockey)
• Creative scholarships for unique talents or hobbies
• Many others tailored to various student demographics and interests.

Has anyone ever won a Bold.org scholarship?

Yes. Students have won scholarships on our website from Bold.org and our donors. We've awarded a little over fifty million to students on our site, and that number continues to grow. You can view scholarship winners and their essays on our site.

How does Bold.org pay out a scholarship?

Bold.org scholarship awards are typically paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution or financial aid office to pay for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, and supplies. Additionally, with the Bold Debit Card, students now have the option to receive their scholarship awards directly to their Bold Debit Card,^|| providing flexibility to further support students' financial needs.

Is Bold.org for high school students?

Bold.org is not just for high school students. While the platform offers scholarships for high school students to kickstart their academic journey, it also provides opportunities for college students, graduate students, and even adults pursuing further education. Additionally, graduated college students can apply for grants specifically designed to help pay off student loans, making Bold.org a resource for learners at every stage of their educational and financial journey.

A snippet of the Bold.org careers page.

The Bold.org Difference

Bold.org is more than just a scholarship platform—it’s a great resource in the fight against student debt and the pursuit of accessible education. By offering exclusive scholarships, student banking rewards,* and opportunities for donors to make a lasting impact, Bold.org stands out as an innovative resource.

Whether you’re a student looking to fund your college education, a graduate seeking relief from student loans, or a donor ready to support meaningful causes, Bold.org provides the tools, transparency, and community to help you succeed. Experience the Bold.org difference and join our mission of fighting student debt today!

Start Your Journey with Bold.org

The Bold Account is a demand deposit account provided by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC. Bold Visa® Debit Card is issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bold.org is a registered trademark of Bold.org, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks belong to their respective owners. 

*Rewards, Bold Points, cashback, and student loan payments are not products or services offered or endorsed by Pathward. Pathward does not endorse these offerings.

‡Bold.org publishes and hosts more exclusive scholarships than any other scholarship platform and is the only major scholarship platform to feature integrated banking rewards. Banking rewards are not a Pathward product or service. Pathward does not endorse this offer.

§Bold.org is not a tax professional. For current and detailed guidance on tax deductions or tax advice, consult an accounting or tax professional.

||Receiving a scholarship on the Bold Debit Card is a service provided by Bold.org and is not affiliated with our Bank partners/Pathward®.