Does applying early action increase scholarship chances?

Hello! So, I'm a little stressed about how I'm going to pay for college, and I've heard that applying early action might increase the chances of getting scholarships. Does anyone know if there's some truth to this? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi there! It's understandable to be stressed about college finances—many families find themselves in the same boat. To answer your question, applying early action can sometimes give you a leg up when it comes to scholarships, particularly those offered directly by the college. This is often due to the fact that the full pool of funds is available at the beginning of the admission season and may become more limited as time goes by.

For instance, some schools have priority deadlines for scholarship consideration, and these often coincide with their early application deadlines. So, it's always a good idea to apply early if scholarships are a significant concern for you.

Remember, each college has its own policies and processes for awarding scholarships, so it's important to thoroughly research each institution you're interested in. This research can involve checking out their financial aid webpages, reaching out to the financial aid office for clarification, and looking for any scholarship-specific deadlines. Lastly, don't forget about external scholarships that you can apply for independently of your college applications—early action won't affect these, but they're a critical piece of the funding puzzle. Best of luck!