Updated October 10, 2026. Facts only, with sources.
What happened
Going Merry, a scholarship search and apply site owned by Earnest, shut down in March 2026.
Earnest’s notice (published March 9, 2026) said the last day to log in and submit was March 5, 2026, and the site would not be reachable from March 6, 2026.
Submitted applications were still to be reviewed by sponsors. Unfinished ones were deleted.
Real awards with a link to each official page, and the date someone last checked it.
Deadlines in one place, with closed awards marked as closed.
Clear prices. Free to search. No fee to apply for any scholarship.
Clear AI rules. Many sponsors ban AI-written essays. Avoid tools that write your essay for you.
Privacy for students under 18. No selling student information.
How Next Scholar compares on those points
4,991 awards on file, each linked to its official page, with the last check date.
Free search and matching. Paid plans are flat: Scholar $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr, Achiever $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr.
We never write essays. We flag awards whose rules ban AI.
Apply tools: 397 awards you can build inside Next Scholar, and official PDF forms filled from your profile for paper applications.
Counselor sharing, only if the student chooses.
Other options families use include the College Board’s BigFuture scholarship search, Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and your school counselor’s local list. Pick the one that fits. Never pay a fee to apply.
Yes. Its owner, Earnest, said users could submit applications until March 5, 2026, and the site would not be reachable from March 6, 2026.
What happened to applications I sent through Going Merry?
Earnest said submitted applications would still be considered and sponsors would contact winners directly. Unfinished applications were deleted. Contact the sponsor for anything pending.
Is Next Scholar connected to Going Merry or Earnest?
No. Next Scholar is run by MAOMA Enterprises LLC and has no tie to Going Merry or Earnest.