When should I start looking for college scholarships?

I'm currently a high school junior and I'm trying to figure out the best time to start applying for scholarships. Should I be looking now, or is it better to wait until senior year? Any timing tips would be great!

Junior year is a great time to start researching and applying for scholarships. Many scholarships are available to high school juniors, and starting this process now can give you better insight into what scholarships you may be eligible for, along with their deadlines and application requirements.

The summer before the senior year can be a particularly good time to fill out applications, write essays, and gather any necessary documentation since you're likely to be less busy with schoolwork and extracurriculars. It also allows you to dedicate more time to the process, which can strengthen your applications.

In your senior year, keep in mind that scholarship deadlines can be spread throughout the year. Some coincide with the college application season (typically in the fall), but others might stretch into the spring or even the summer after graduation.

When you're searching for scholarships, focus on ones that match your interests, skills, and experiences. The more specific a scholarship is to your profile, the less competition you might have, thus increasing your chances of getting it. There are websites like Appily that could help narrow down your search pool based on your attributes and interests.

Remember to keep organized! Keep track of deadlines, required materials, and the status of your applications. Don't give up; scholarship hunting requires persistence, but every bit of funding you secure will help reduce the financial burden of your college education.