Contrary to standard practice, students should not wait until their junior or senior year of high school to apply for college scholarships. There are college scholarships for elememtary and middle school students. These scholarships tend not to be as large as the ones offered for juniors and seniors but can add up to a considerable sum over time.
With the high cost of college, every dollar counts.
Unlike buying a lottery ticket, scholarships require someeffort for success. The amount of effort is dictated by the scholarship requirements.
The Benefits of Starting Early
Aside from the potential monetary benefit, students who begin applying for scholarships in lower grades will be experts by the time they’re a junior in high school.
Being familiar with the process early will help them in their final high school years, when they are applying for larger scholarships with lengthier applications.
It’s not much different than the career ladder. The more effort you put in – the more you learn and develop – the greater your chances for success.
By the time they reach the upper level of high school, they will be “seasoned professionals.”
A Caveat Regarding Private Scholarships
Before you accept an offer of admission from or apply to a college/university, check the school’s policy on private scholarships.
Other schools will not alter what they offer and you can use the private scholarship toward any remaining balance or for personal expenses.
Know before you go.
What’s available?
Scholarship requirements vary. Some are short essays, some are group projects, and some are video submissions. There are serious and focused applications, while others are slightly silly, e.g. writing about the Zombie Apocalypse.
With the launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA application, students have more control.
The student must initiate the application process.
If parent/guardian information is required, each parent must be invited as a contributor.
Any application that is dormant for 45 days will be deleted. The student will be required to start from the beginning.
We’ve added three new reference links to the end of this post.
This just in on 11/15/23
The improved FAFSA form will be available for students and parents by Dec. 31, 2023. Students who complete the form will receive a confirmation and see their estimated student aid eligibility.
This just 11/14/24
The improved FAFSA form will be available for students and parents by Dec. 31, 2023. Students who complete the form will receive a confirmation and see their estimated student aid eligibility.
If you’ve had trouble keeping up with the changes to college financial aid, here’s a FAFSA 2024-25 rundown.
We’ve compiled a list of the most pertinent changes affecting students and families. We examined many of them in previous videos and posts but included a few previously unreferenced revisions in this post.
Some of the changes were phased in over the last two years. The ones specific to the 2024-25 school year are noted.
***UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Education announced that the FAFSA application for the 2024-25 school year will be released in December – not October 1.***
Institutional Preparation is Underway
On September 29, 2023, a prototype of the 2024-25 FAFSA was released to FSA Partners (for college financial aid administrators). It has limited functionality, but it signals some progress is being made.
Additional information and preparation continue for financial aid administrators, but as of 11/03/23, there is no update on when the new application will be released to the public.
It is unclear what impact a November government shutdown will have on the release and processing of FAFSA applications, but a negative impact is likely.
applying for larger scholarships with lengthier applications.