How can low-income families support a college-bound junior?

I'm from a low-income family, and college is approaching quickly. What are the best scholarship options available to help us financially? Any tips for a high school junior would be awesome!

Absolutely, there are quite a few strategies and resources you should consider as a high school junior, particularly when it comes to finding scholarships. Financial circumstances should not limit your educational opportunities.

Start by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the state equivalent. This is the primary method of determining your financial need and can open the door to a multitude of financial aid opportunities like grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Remember to do this as soon as the FAFSA opens on October 1 of your senior year in high school. You don't want to miss any opportunity for need-based aid.

Next, focus on seeking out scholarships. A good tool to consider is Appily (formerly known as Cappex). It is a free platform where students can search for scholarships based on their profile.

Many local organizations, social clubs, and businesses in your community also may offer scholarships. Sometimes these are less competitive because they're only available to residents of a certain area. Explore libraries, local businesses, cultural organizations, religious institutions, groups related your parent's employment, etc.

Private organizations and community nonprofits often provide scholarships for students in need as well. QuestBridge and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, for instance, provide scholarships for low-income high school students aiming to attend top-tier universities.

Merit-based scholarships can also be an avenue worth exploring. For this, your grades, test scores (if not applying to test-blind colleges), extracurricular involvement, and other achievements come into play.

Lastly, consider opportunities for work-study programs through your college. These are often given as part of a financial aid package and allow you to earn money that goes directly towards your tuition.

To maximize scholarship opportunities, ensure that your grades are stellar, your ACT/SAT score (for colleges that consider testing) is impressive, and that you are involved in extracurricular activities demonstrating passion and engagement in your interests. Plus, it's never too early to start your scholarship search. Many deadlines fall in the spring of your junior year or the fall of your senior year.

Remember that there are numerous resources to help families in your situation navigate the financial aspects of college, so don't be discouraged. Every little bit of financial aid helps, and many colleges are committed to making education accessible for all students.