When do you apply for scholarships for college?

I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to think about how to pay for college. I keep hearing that there are tons of scholarships out there, but my main question is timing. When should I start applying for them? I don't want to miss any deadlines, but I also don't want to apply too early and forget about them later. What's the typical timeline for scholarship applications?

It's great that you're already considering your options for funding college! The timeline for scholarship applications can vary widely, as each scholarship may have its own unique deadlines. Generally, however, students can start their scholarship search and application process during their junior year or even earlier.

Scholarships offered by colleges and universities typically align with the college application process, so you can expect to start applying for them in the fall of your senior year. Some schools even automatically consider you for certain scholarships based on your application to the school itself. Others may require additional materials or a separate application.

Private scholarships, on the other hand, can have deadlines scattered throughout the year. Some are available for high school juniors, while others are only open to high school seniors or current college students. You'll want to keep a detailed calendar or spreadsheet to track deadlines and requirements for each scholarship you're interested in.

One great strategy is to start researching scholarships early and apply to ones with deadlines that fall during the end of your junior year, the summer before your senior year, and during your senior year. During the latter half of your senior year, after college applications are due, you can focus more on scholarships with later deadlines.

Remember to keep reapplying for scholarships even after you've started college. There are plenty of scholarships for current college students, and your increased experience and knowledge might make you a more competitive applicant.

Overall, the key is staying organized and proactive throughout the process. Starting earlier rather than later will give you more opportunities to find scholarships that are a good match for you. Good luck with your scholarship search!