I'm just starting high school and already thinking about college finance. Are there scholarships available to freshmen like me, or do I need to wait until I'm a senior to start applying?
That's some great foresight on your part! While many scholarships are indeed for juniors or seniors, there are still quite a few available for freshmen students. Once you're in high school, there are opportunities available, so it's really never too early to start looking.
There's a variety of scholarships you could try depending on your interests and skills - from essay-writing competitions or community service projects to STEM initiatives or art contests. Some scholarships are even fun and unique, like the Duck Tape prom dress contest!
Remember, scholarships get more abundant and lucrative as you continue through high school, mostly starting from junior year. For now, stay focused on maintaining good grades, involving yourself in extracurricular activities, and contributing to your community. These actions won't just make you more eligible for scholarships later, but they'll also help you learn more about yourself, your passions and potentially, your future career path.
Notably, there are platforms such as the Appily Scholarship App where you can filter by grade level so you can find scholarships that are available to you right now. In conclusion, while now is as good a time as any to start searching, remember to keep your focus on exploring your interests, developing your skills, and enjoying your high school years. The scholarships will follow.
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