Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fungua mean?
Fungua (pronounced foon-goo-ah) means "open" or "unlock" in Swahili. That's what we help you do — unlock scholarship opportunities to fund your education.
What is Fungua?
Fungua (foon-goo-ah) is a free AI-powered platform that helps students find scholarships or grants they actually qualify for — it has an HBCU focus so you can explore 98 HBCUs, match with scholarships, and practice your interview process — all in one place.
Is Fungua free?
Yes. Fungua is currently free for students. No paywalls, no hidden fees, no premium tier.
How does Fungua's AI scholarship matching work?
Create a profile with your GPA, major, state, HBCU, and financial need. Our AI matches you with verified scholarships you actually qualify for.
What types of scholarships are on Fungua?
Fungua lists every verifiable type of scholarship and grant that can help fund your education — HBCU-specific, general, merit-based, need-based, and community awards. We're actively expanding the database so you can see every opportunity you qualify for.
Can Fungua guarantee I'll get a scholarship?
No and neither can any other service. Fungua finds opportunities you qualify for, but scholarship decisions are made by the awarding institution or organization.
Does Fungua work for high school students?
Yes. High school students planning to attend college can create a profile and start matching today.
Does Fungua sell my data?
No. We don't sell your data. We don't share it with advertisers. We use it to find you scholarships and grants only.
Can Fungua help me if I attend a private college?
Yes. Our AI matches you with general, merit-based, and need-based scholarships that apply to any institution. We also surface income-based free-tuition programs many private schools offer, and our Displacement Calculator shows whether an outside scholarship will shrink your institutional aid before you apply.