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Colleges have different deadlines, scholarships come with various eligibility criteria, and grants can require some paperwork that takes time to gather. Scholarships: Free money, usually awarded for academic achievement, sports, or other talents. This will make filling out your FAFSA or scholarship applications a lot easier.
Scholarships : Often awarded based on merit (like academic performance, sports, or talent) and do not need to be repaid. As a junior, there are steps you can take now to set yourself up for financial aid success: Research Scholarships : Many scholarships are available to students in their junior year or earlier.
Research Scholarships Early Scholarships are a great option when it comes to easing the cost of college. Many scholarships have deadlines before senior year even starts, so the earlier you start, the better. You dont want to be scrambling for a scholarship essay while everyone else is wrapping up their final assignments.
Students Take Standardized Tests to Qualify for Scholarships In addition to high school grades, SAT and ACT test scores are often used to determine scholarship eligibility. The National Merit Scholarship Program, for example, requires applicants to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
While grants and scholarships provide much-needed assistance, loans often make up a significant portion of the aid package. Understanding Financial Aid Packages: Financial aid packages typically consist of a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans.
The FAFSA: Your First Step to Financial Aid The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your starting point. Filling out the FAFSA is easier than ever with online tools that guide you step by step. If you want to read some of my tips to prepare for the 2025-2026FAFSA, check out recent blogs here!
Start with FAFSA If you are not yet familiar with the term FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), now’s the perfect time to learn about it all! Filing the FAFSA is the first stop to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and most institutional college financial aid.
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