Financial aid is one of the most dreadful parts of applying for college. Everything is ten times more expensive than what is expected. As inflation increases, the prices of colleges tend to get more expensive as time goes on.
The process of finding financial aid should start the summer before senior year. I highly recommend finding a college and career coach. This is helpful when looking into scholarships or when writing supplementals.
ScholarMatch
The ScholarMatch Program is the perfect place to start your college readiness journey. This program is designed for first generation students who are interested in attending college. The program provides incoming seniors a college coach to help them through the application process. As well, the program provides monthly newsletters that provide different scholarship opportunities for each month.
Although the priority deadline has passed, the application officially closes September 15th, 2024. If accepted, the program will last all through your senior year. Then at the end of the year they provide scholarship opportunities for up to $10,000 and another college and career coach for the next four years. Overall, the program is sensational and will provide continuous support.
QuestBridge
Another major scholarship opportunity to be aware of is the QuestBridge Scholarship. This program offers a full ride with tuition, room and board, fees, and any traveling expenses to the college over the course of four years. They are partnered with 52 different universities around the country that students are matched with after applying. Although the application process is rigorous, it is worth it because of the benefits, even if you are not selected as a finalist.
For the 2023 QuestBridge selection, there were over 20,000 applicants and over 6,000 finalists were selected to match with one of the 52 college partners. The results showed that there were 2,242 QuestBridge Scholars that matched with one of the 12 schools that they were told to rank. Although the chances seem slim, it is worth the try at the end of the day.
Scholarships Still Open to Current Seniors
It may seem too late apply for scholarships, but there are various that are still open until August of 2024. Here are some May scholarships that students at EPHS are still able to apply for until the end of this month.
Lead With Languages Scholarship
Description: This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who are committed to pursuing the language teaching profession in languages other than English.
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Award Amount: $6,000
2024 There’s a Space for Everyone Scholarship
Description: This scholarship is for students who are enrolled in an accredited college or university and are at least 26 years of age.
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Award Amount: $3,000
“We the Future” Contest
Description: This scholarship is for students to explore the meaning of the constitution and how it affects society. The entry could be in an essay, song, STEM, short film, or PSA.
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Award Amount: $1,000
David Malcolm Scholarship
Description: This scholarship is awarded to students who have had struggles in their educational path. It is designed to aid students who have demonstrated resilience and who have a strong desire to continue their education despite any challenges they may have had and/or continue to have.
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Award Amount: $2,500
Sketchers Financial Hardships scholarship
Description: This scholarship is open to any student who demonstrates financial need and is planning on attending a university, accredited college, or trade school. These students can apply regardless of the field or major they plan to pursue.
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Award Amount: $5,000
Scholarships opportunities can be found on the ScholarMatch website or the BigFuture category on the College Board website. There’s a ton of huge scholarships that open during this time. Make sure to take advantage of all financial aid opportunities because time flies by fast!
Works Cited
“Destined for College SF.” ScholarMatch, https://scholarmatch.org/students/sf/. Accessed 16 May 2024.
Home – BigFuture, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/. Accessed 20 May 2024.
“Scholarship Details.” QuestBridge, https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match/scholarship-details. Accessed 16 May 2024.
