Summer is a great time to hit pause and relax, especially the summer between junior and senior year. But if you’re considering going to college, the summer might also be the perfect time to begin their scholarship search. As a financial aid advisor, I often remind families that waiting until senior year to search for scholarships can mean missed opportunities. The good news? You don’t need to spend all summer buried in applications. With a little planning and a few strategic searches, you can make steady progress around your summer plans. Here’s a few of my favorite tips for students (of any age!) to look for scholarships this summer:
Research Options:
There are numerous scholarships available from various sources such as universities, private organizations, corporations, and government bodies. Researching these options over time gives students a broader perspective on what is available and what they might qualify for. Remember to look at bigger options and smaller, more localized scholarships. They’re often overlooked and less competitive. Even smaller awards can help cover books, fees, or other random college costs!
Not sure where to look? Talk to friends from the class of 2025: Think about your friends who just graduated from high school. Did any of them get really great scholarships that were not provided by the college? Talk to them now and find out how they did it! There are lots of scholarships, but it takes time to find those that are the best fit for your unique abilities.
Understand Requirements:
Scholarships often have specific requirements regarding academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, community service, and more. Starting early allows students to align their activities and achievements with these criteria as they go back to school in the fall. Buffering up your application with meaningful activities can be helpful for both admissions and scholarship opportunities.
If your resume doesn’t look that impressive, you don’t have to wait until the fall to fix it. Try to do something different this summer that you can use on your application. Help out in your community, do something related to your field of interest, or get involved with a club. It might even turn out to be fun and meaningful!
Prepare Strong Applications:
Scholarship applications often require essays, letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents. By starting early, you can make good decisions about who you’ll be asking to write for you, and prepare a strong application. Even if the next year’s applications aren’t released yet, you can check out the past application for an idea of what you might need to have on hand – and add the date to your calendar to circle back!
The scholarship search doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and summer is the perfect time to get a head start. By dedicating even an hour or two each week to researching and organizing opportunities, you’ll be ahead of the curve when application season ramps up. Remember, scholarships aren’t just for straight-A students or athletes—there’s something out there for nearly everyone. You’ve got this!
More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors
Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.