Advice on College Financial Aid and Scholarships for Juniors?

As a high school junior, what steps should I take to maximize financial aid and scholarship opportunities for college? I'm starting to look into them and would love any tips or advice from those who've been through the process.

The timeline for maximizing financial aid and scholarship opportunities actually starts now, in your junior year, so it's great you're starting early. Here's a roadmap you might find helpful:

1. Start by researching scholarships: Not all scholarships are tied to academic merit; many are based on extracurricular involvement, community service, artistic talent, athletics, etc. Even ones tied to specific hobbies or traits exist, so dig deep in your search. Resources like Appily's scholarship search can be helpful in this endeavor. Make a list of scholarships that you’ll be eligible to apply for, noting due dates and requirements.

2. College-specific scholarships: As you start building your list of potential colleges, look into college-specific scholarships they offer. Some schools automatically consider all applicants for certain scholarships, but others require additional applications.

3. Understand the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for federal student aid, including loans, grants, and work-study opportunities. It opens on October 1 each year and is best to complete as unfilled close to that date as possible because some aid is issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to gather all the necessary documents to complete it beforehand.

4. Learn about the SAI: As of recently, the FAFSA uses something called the Student Aid Index (SAI), which replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The SAI is a figure that colleges use to determine how much financial aid you might receive.

5. Explore work-study: In addition to scholarships and grants, you can also offset the cost of college through work-study opportunities, where you work part-time while enrolled in school.

6. Finish strong in school: Lastly, the better your academic record and the more involved you are in the community, volunteership, or extracurriculars, the more likely you'll be considered for academic and leadership scholarships. So continue working hard in school and participating in activities you love.

Remember, every bit helps when it comes to paying for college. Even smaller scholarships can add up and decrease the amount you need to borrow. Good luck in your junior year, and in your scholarship and financial aid search!