From what I understand, most colleges open applications around August or September, right? I’m a high school senior graduating in 2024, and honestly, I feel a little lost. Where should I even start when it comes to applying for scholarships and college applications? I’ve worked hard all through high school and have a 4.3 GPA, but I don’t want to miss out on opportunities just because I don’t know the process.
If anyone has advice on when to start applying for scholarships, working on college essays, or preparing for applications (especially for UCs), I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!
Most of your scholarship money will likely come from the colleges you apply to. External scholarships can be hit or miss, but they’re worth a try. I used Going Merry and applied to a bunch of small ones, but didn’t have much luck.
Your best bet is to check the financial aid pages of the schools you’re interested in. See if they require FAFSA, the CSS Profile, or any separate scholarship applications. You can start looking for scholarships now and begin working on college applications when the Common App opens on August 1.
Not sure about the UC process, though—hopefully someone else can chime in!
You’re on the right track by thinking about this early. Here’s a general timeline to help you stay on top of things:
NOW: Talk to your parents about financial aid expectations. Knowing their contribution (if any) will help you plan.
NOW: Make a list of colleges you’re interested in. Research their application deadlines and scholarship policies.
NOW: Think about teachers or mentors who could write recommendation letters. If your schools require them, ask as early as possible.
NOW: If you haven’t taken the SAT/ACT and plan to submit scores, sign up for the next available test date.
AUGUST: Create a Common App account and start filling in basic info. Look at the essay prompts and start drafting responses.
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER: Submit early applications if you’re applying for early decision/action. Some merit-based scholarships require early submission.
OCTOBER–DECEMBER: Complete and submit applications. Fill out the FAFSA as soon as it opens (usually in December now). Some schools also require the CSS Profile.
DECEMBER–SPRING: Look for smaller, local scholarships and apply to as many as you can.
For scholarships, the best sources are your school counselor, local organizations, and college financial aid offices. External scholarships exist, but most aid will come directly from the colleges you apply to. Good luck!
@Lane
This is a great step-by-step guide. Also, check out the College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/). It shows the average earnings of graduates from different schools, which can help when choosing where to apply.
Rey said: @Lane
What do you mean by ‘Common App resets’?
It means that every August 1, the Common App clears out old applications and opens up for the next admissions cycle. If you started an account before then, you’ll have to re-enter your information when the system resets.
Start by making a list of colleges you want to apply to. Most external scholarships are competitive, so your best bet is local scholarships—many go unclaimed every year.
Ask your school counselor or office staff if they have any lists of scholarships. Sometimes schools keep a running list of opportunities for students.
For researching colleges, College Navigator is a great tool. Best of luck!