Is it too late to apply for college scholarships?

I'm freaking out because I haven't applied for many college scholarships yet. Are there still scholarships available this time of year, or any tips for finding late opportunities?

Don't panic, there are definitely scholarships available year-round! Many scholarships have varying deadlines throughout the academic year, and different colleges have unique scholarship schedules as well.

In general, here's how you can approach the scholarship hunt:

1. Check with your intended colleges: Each college often has its own set of scholarships which typically come with their own application process or requirements. These might be automatic scholarships (based on when you apply), major-based scholarships (depends on your chosen program of study), or need-based scholarships (depends on your financial situation). Keep a tab on their financial aid web pages or email the college's admission office for more information. Especially at schools with later admissions deadlines or rolling admissions, there could still be scholarships available, although do be aware there could be some priority deadlines which may have passed.

2. Use scholarship search tools: There are plenty of scholarship search tools available online that can help you find suitable scholarships based on your profile. For example, Appily lets you find scholarships based on different criteria and lets you sort by deadlines, so you can focus on those with later application dates.

3. Community & Local Scholarships: Check with your high school guidance counselor about local scholarship opportunities. Often community organizations, nonprofits, and local businesses offer scholarships to local students and these can be less competitive and be open later since they have a smaller pool of eligible applicants.

4. Employer Scholarships: Some companies offer scholarships for their employees or their children. It's worth checking if such a benefit is available in your or your parents' workplace.

Remember, scholarship applications often require effort - you might need to write essays or get letters of recommendation. If you find one that's still open, don't panic and rush - take your time to make sure each application is the best it can be.

Most importantly, don't get disheartened if you don't secure a scholarship straight away. Keep applying, there are numerous opportunities out there, including ones with later deadlines, and persistence usually pays off!