College Scholarships and Their Application Deadlines

I need help understanding college scholarship application deadlines. How do I keep track of different deadlines, both for general scholarships and specific ones for certain colleges or fields of study?

There are several ways you can manage scholarship application deadlines effectively:

1. Start Early: You'll want to start your research as soon as possible. Scholarships have different deadlines throughout the year, with many due between October and March. The earlier you start your search, the more opportunities you're likely to find.

2. Excel Spreadsheet: Create a spreadsheet where you can record information like scholarship title, amount, requirements, the URL of the scholarship page, and most importantly, the deadline. This way, you will have all the information in one place and can refer to it easily.

3. Calendar Alerts: Taking advantage of digital calendars like Google Calendar or iCal can be very helpful. Whenever you add a scholarship to your spreadsheet, also add the deadline to your digital calendar and set a reminder a few weeks before the deadline.

4. Check College Financial Aid Websites: If you're looking for scholarship opportunities specific to certain colleges or fields of study, often the school's financial aid website will have relevant information. You might find a list of scholarships, their requirements, and their deadlines. Be sure to add these to your spreadsheet and calendar.

5. Apps and Websites: There are tools and platforms designed specifically to help students with scholarship organization. For instance, Appily allows you to create a profile and matches you to scholarships that align with your unique experiences and interests. It provides key details such as deadlines and application requirements.

6. Regular Check-ins: Make it a habit to review your spreadsheet and reassess your calendar alerts weekly. This will keep the scholarship deadlines at the forefront of your mind and make sure you don't miss anything.

Remember, scholarship applications take time. They often require essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, or other materials. By using these organizational strategies, you'll give yourself ample time to gather the necessary application components and submit the highest-quality applications possible.