How Can I Still Apply for Scholarships?

I'm a junior, and I'm worried I might've missed important scholarship deadlines. Is it too late to apply for scholarships at this point? Are there any resources or websites where I can find scholarships that are still available? Any advice on finding scholarships that might be a good fit for me would be super helpful!

First off, you’re absolutely right in wanting to start applying for scholarships at this stage. These can significantly cut your expenses while attending college. Fortunately, there’s no single right time to apply for scholarships. Opportunities are plentiful and available round the year - some scholarships have deadlines in the fall, some in the winter, and others in the spring or even summer.

One of the best ways to identify scholarships is to build a profile on a scholarship search website, such as Fastweb or Cappex. These sites will match you to scholarships based on your profile. When creating your profile, make sure to include as much information as possible, as this helps the site to find you a larger pool of scholarships to choose from.

Remember to constantly check and update your profile. Scholarships are added frequently, and you don't want to miss out on any new opportunities. Many of these sites also allow you to filter out scholarships depending on their due dates, so you can prioritize the ones with approaching deadlines.

Also, don’t forget about local scholarships—these typically face less competition than national scholarships. For local scholarships, think booster clubs, religious organizations or community foundations. Reach out to your high school career guidance or college counselor and she/he may be able to point you in the right direction or provide you with a list of local scholarships.

Remember, when seeking out scholarships, you should apply to as many as you are eligible for, but prioritize the ones where you seem to be a strong fit for the criteria. Be mindful of application instructions and make sure you give yourself ample time to put together a strong application. Good luck with the scholarship search process!