Scholarships are a great way to help you pay for college because they’re like a gift – you don’t have to pay them back! You’ll apply for most scholarships when you’re a 12th grader. But choices you make now can impact what scholarships you can apply for later. Here’s how to get ready!
Get the best grades you can
You don’t have to be a straight-A student, but scholarship providers aren’t going to award money to someone who gets D’s and F’s. Give your best effort – and take tough classes so you’ll be ready for tougher college courses.
Get involved
Many scholarships are based on extracurricular involvement, so, find something you enjoy at school, like basketball, robotics club, or band, and join up!
Volunteer
Your volunteer efforts will look great on scholarship applications! Wondering what you can do? Help at your library’s summer reading program, serve as an assistant coach for a youth soccer team, clean cages at an animal shelter, or watch children in the church nursery.
Finally, don’t give up on college if money is an issue! There are funds available for students whose family is considered financially needy (like, if you’re on free or reduced-price lunch).
Plan to connect with your high school counselor and EducationQuest to be “in the know” about these ways to pay for college.