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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. Loans: Money you borrow and pay back after graduation. What is Financial Aid?
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.
Scholarships : Often awarded based on merit (like academic performance, sports, or talent) and do not need to be repaid. Loans : Money that must be repaid, typically with interest. Start looking for local scholarships, national programs, and merit-based awards that you may qualify for.
Receiving a financial aid offer can be both exciting and overwhelming for college-bound students and their families. While grants and scholarships provide much-needed assistance, loans often make up a significant portion of the aid package. Every dollar you can secure through non-loan sources reduces your future debt burden.
If you want to read some of my tips to prepare for the 2025-2026 FAFSA, check out recent blogs here! Grants vs. Loans : Grants are free money for college that you don’t have to repay, while loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest. Always prioritize grants and scholarships before accepting loans!
The application for the 2025-2026 cycle should be online October 1, 2024. I encourage students to avoid being fully committed to any school until financial aid offers come in. Don’t forget to look for scholarships throughout the entire application process. Sometimes their dream school just isn’t feasible.
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