There are literally hundreds of millions of dollars available to students in the form of private scholarships, but it takes time and effort to apply. Read my latest blog for some tips to help you prepare successful scholarship applications.

I’ve been working in academia or college coaching for my entire career, so a big part of my role has always been to interpret all of the new terms until my clients are equally fluent. The most common terms we need to define in this context are: Need-blind vs. need-aware admissions and Need-based vs. merit-based financial aid. Learn the differences in this article.

An often overlooked component to seeking scholarships is calculating your financial eligibility. Your total student aid, including federal or state need-based aid, subsidized loans, and scholarships cannot exceed your total cost of college.

College is expensive, and most of the cost is up to the student and their family to pay. Part of your financial aid package will include the availability of federal loans. Before you apply for a student loan, it’s important to look into scholarship opportunities.

On October 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and College Board CSS Profile will open for the 2022/2023 academic year. Colleges use these forms to determine aid eligibility. For teens and families, these forms may seem intimidating, but with the right preparation, it’s extremely manageable!

Scholarship funds are available even after you graduate high school. Fund your education by researching and applying for scholarship opportunities throughout college.