When to Look for Scholarships

For those of you who frequently reach out to me and ask… when is a good time to look for educational scholarships?  This is for you!   And the answer is fairly simply… ALL THE TIME.

In my years of experience not only allocating scholarships but also assisting third parties with their selection, there is always a scholarship without a recipient.  This happens quite often when students fail to apply or simply do not think they meet the terms of the scholarship criteria.

My recommendation to those inquiring is to begin researching scholarship opportunities during your junior year in high school.  Fastweb and college/university scholarship lists are helpful in locating the top scholarships.

Some amazing foundations I have worked with include the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Dresher Foundation and Horatio Alger Association.  These groups are known to award scholarships to cover tuition and fees, and fund students across the nation.

Applying early to your top colleges may also guarantee greater opportunities for institutional based scholarships and grants that you are not required to payback.  However, these more than likely will require students to maintain a specific grade point average (GPA) and/or consistent enrollment status.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is available earlier beginning in October 2016 to allow students a clear 360 view of what types of aid will be awarded to them at each college they’ve applied to.

Scholarships are available for all students at each level of their academic career; it is simply all about taking the time to do research, asking questions and applying to opportunities multiple times of the year.  Don’t just get caught up in the hype of admissions applications, make sure you explore the free money applications as well!

 

Be financially smart--

Keia Brown