It may seem like the fall of a student’s junior year is too early to start looking for scholarships, but it isn’t. In fact, I often urge parents to start looking for a scholarship as soon as their student enters high school. It’s an unusual time to talk about money for college. Most parents and students think there are four years left until graduation. As life goes on, college admissions are just around the horizon. It’s true that the early bird gets the scholarship. The key to a working scholarship strategy is to start early. There are some parents who have a recipe for success. They have a folder where they already collect scholarship information. They attend every scholarship and grant training they can. All parents and students should consider finding scholarships as a team effort. Start by meeting someone at your local library. There are many college scholarship resources in the library and there is always someone willing to help.
Did you know that billions of dollars in grants go untapped every year? Some students say it is too difficult to apply for scholarships. That’s why I recommend all students to start looking for a scholarship early on. Starting early is the best way to avoid overwhelming students and parents. You should have different types of scholarships in each section of your scholarship folder. You can also have your own library of scholarship books and articles that you select and review. There are thousands of scholarships on google. You can search by major and interests. Ask your student to speak to their school counselor about available scholarships. The school counselor should have information that he receives throughout the year. Let them know you are interested in information and will apply
There are many scholarships that are based on a student’s performance in high school. Every student should strive to get the best possible grades. Get a tutor right away or schedule a tutor meeting with your student. The critical question for any parent is deciding how to use each year as leverage against rising college costs. Look for opportunities large and small to find scholarships in newspapers and magazines. Call the local college’s financial aid office to learn more about scholarships and deadlines. Call your bank or credit union to learn how to start saving and if they offer grants.
If you’re the parent of a 11th grade student, it’s time to prepare for senior year by asking your student to get scholarship recommendation letters from their teachers. Create a calendar of scholarship deadlines and ensure your applications are submitted on time. Don’t allow yourself to follow. It is easy to miss out on a scholarship because your application was not submitted on time. Use the summer to get ahead of the game. Ask your son/daughter to write answers to several scholarship questions. Some of the questions to expect: How will you use our scholarship to complete your undergraduate studies? Why did you deserve this scholarship? How will you make a difference in the world after you graduate? Keep grammar and spelling in mind when a student wants to consider their scholarship application.
Investing in your son/daughter’s education is one of the best decisions any parent or student can make. Start your scholarship search early to give your student the flexibility to pay for the college of their choice. Position yourself to get the financial rewards for saving scholarships. You will not regret the time you have invested, and you will have money to pay for tuition, room and board, and other expenses.
