Applying for College Scholarships Before Committing

I'm still undecided about which college to attend, but I want to start applying for scholarships. Is it possible to apply for scholarships before I've made my final college choice, or do I need to decide first?

Absolutely, you can begin applying for scholarships before you've made your final college decision! In fact, it's a great idea to get started as soon as possible, as many scholarships have deadlines that can fall well before college decision deadlines.

There are two main types of scholarships to be aware of: institutional scholarships and external scholarships. Institutional scholarships are offered by the colleges themselves, and you're often automatically considered for these when you apply. Some, however, may require additional applications or essays, but these are typically tied to your college application and do not require knowing whether you've committed to the school.

On the other hand, external scholarships are offered by various organizations, not tied to any specific college. These could range from local community organizations to larger national ones. For these scholarships, you typically do not need to know which college you will be attending, as they usually award money directly to the student.

However, ensure to review the criteria and guidelines for each scholarship. Some may ask you to specify the college you plan to attend or have certain requirements tied to specific colleges or majors. Also remember to inform your college’s financial aid office about any external scholarships you receive, as they might have certain policies on how outside scholarships are applied to your financial aid package.

So, to summarize, it's definitely possible - and beneficial - to start applying for scholarships before you have committed to a college. Good luck with your scholarship search and college decision!