With senior year coming to an end and graduation right around the corner, seniors are getting much closer to entering college! College costs are also starting to become a reality for seniors with things such as tuition, housing, textbooks, meals, and many other expenses coming closer. That is why scholarships are such an important part of making college possible for students.
When looking for scholarships to apply for it’s important to know where to look. Make sure to check your email for opportunities or ask your guidance counselor about ones too. Looking online is another easy way to find some, such as using websites like bold.org, niche.com, Bright Futures, and many more available. Before applying for scholarships, make sure you also sign up for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, in order to be able to qualify for certain scholarships.
If you plan to stay in Florida for college, one of the most popular scholarships are the Bright Futures Scholarships. Bright Futures has a couple programs to fit students eligibility. Florida Academic Scholars provides 100% of funding for a public program of study, this includes tuition and applicable fees. In order to qualify for FAS, you need a minimum of a 3.5 weighted gpa, minimum score of 29 on the ACT or 1330 on the SAT, 100 volunteer or paid work hours (or a combination of the two), and required 16 high school credits.
The next Bright Future program is the Florida Medallion Scholars that will cover 75% of funding for a public program of study. The qualifications for FMS is a 3.0 gpa weighted, a minimum of a 24 on the ACT or a minimum of 1190 on the SAT, 75 volunteer hours or 100 paid work hours (or a combination of the two for 100 hours), and the required 16 high school credits.
Another Florida based scholarship to apply for is the Florida Student Assistance Grant Program. In order to qualify, make sure you submit your FAFSA form, be a degree-seeking student such as going for an associates or bachelors degree, and have enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours per term. Awards for this scholarship can range from $200 to $2610 per academic year.
Some other scholarships to apply for can be national scholarships, though they are more competitive since there are more students applying for them. Some national scholarships to apply to can be the Coca-Cola Scholars, Gates Scholarship, Burger King, ect.
Scholarships can also be specific to something you are interested in! Athletic scholarships can be awarded to student athletes based on how skilled they are in their sport. There are other ones available for those interested in art, such as Against the Grain Scholarship and Doodle for Google.
Staying organized when applying, such as keeping a spreadsheet, can help you see which scholarships you’re interested in and makes it easier to track your progress. Starting early when applying for scholarships can increase your chances of getting them, but applying later into the year doesn’t ruin your chances, just make sure to keep track of deadlines and apply before they are over. Apply for both big and small scholarships, the smaller the scholarship usually has fewer applicants and the money can add up fast.
Whether you plan to go to community college, university, or trade school, plenty of scholarships are available and waiting for you. College offers a sea of possibilities, so to get the best experience make sure you are making the best choices financially and personally.