Applying for College Scholarships: How and When?

I'm trying to plan my scholarship applications for college. Can someone guide me on the best time to apply and what the process is like? Are there particular deadlines I should be aware of?

With college costs on the rise, it’s commendable that you're strategically thinking about applying for scholarships. Here's a general outline of the process:

Start by searching for scholarships as early as possible, ideally during your junior year of high school. Scholarships have different deadlines throughout the year, but a substantial number of them fall between December and March. The sooner you begin, the more opportunities you'll have to apply for scholarships.

In terms of identifying scholarships, a variety of resources are available. Your high school career center may have information about local scholarships, and your potential colleges may have specific scholarships for incoming freshmen. Websites like Appily (formerly Cappex), Fastweb, and scholarships.com are also useful databases.

Remember that scholarships come in many forms. They can be merit-based, need-based, or based on specific criteria such as your background, field of interest, extracurricular activities, or specific talents. Always read the scholarship criteria carefully to ensure that you're eligible.

The application process for each scholarship can differ. Some scholarships require a written essay, others may require demonstrating certain skills or talents, and some may simply require filling out a form. Plan your time accordingly to ensure you meet the scholarship's requirements.

A tip: Keep track of all your applications, deadlines, necessary materials, and the date you submitted everything in a spreadsheet or similar tool. It will make the process much smoother and ensure you don't miss any opportunities.

Lastly, don't underestimate small scholarships. Winning multiple smaller scholarships can add up in terms of reducing college costs. Good luck in your scholarship search!