When are the deadlines for scholarship applications in college?

I'm trying to organize my college applications and keep track of all the relevant scholarship deadlines. Are there generally common deadlines for most scholarships, or do they vary widely between colleges?

Scholarship deadlines can vary quite a bit, depending on the size of the scholarship, the organization giving it, and whether it's connected with a specific college. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully read through each scholarship's specific requirements and deadlines.

For outside scholarships not tied to a specific college, deadlines can scatter throughout the year. However, many are due in the fall and spring seasons, particularly around March and April, coinciding with the typical college application timeline.

For scholarships offered directly by colleges, deadlines often align with application deadlines. Nevertheless, some universities also have separate applications or procedures for scholarships, with different deadlines. For instance, some schools have priority deadlines as early as November for merit-based scholarships. Be sure to check each school's financial aid website for details.

Lastly, remember that it's generally beneficial to apply sooner rather than later. The pool of applicants is smaller earlier in the cycle, which potentially gives you a better chance of receiving the scholarship.

It might be helpful to create a spreadsheet to track scholarships you're interested in, the requirements for each, and their deadlines. It could save you from missing opportunities due to overlooking a date.