Flickr user AFS USA
This is one myth that can seriously derail your efforts at winning free money for college.
Waiting for senior year to apply for scholarships is a big mistake. You will have your hands full completing coursework and applying to colleges during senior year, leaving you with very little or no time to look for or apply to scholarships.
College Scholarships For High School Seniors
Scholarship Availability
Scholarships are offered all year round and are available to all ages—even kindergartners!—though most commonly sophomores, juniors, and seniors, so why wait till the last minute?
The Scholarship Search
Ideally, you should start applying to scholarships as soon as possible. Put your free time during the summer, winter, and spring breaks to look for scholarships you are eligible to apply for and create a spreadsheets with the opportunities available, eligibility requirements and most important of all, deadline to apply.
Make a note of the deadlines and get right down to putting together your applications making sure you get them ready and sent out well before the deadlines. Remember, there is no limit to the number of scholarships you can apply to or the amount of award money you can win. With that in mind, the more scholarships you apply to, the more money you have a chance of winning. And the earlier you start exploring scholarship opportunities, the more you are likely to find.
Definitely do not wait till senior year to apply for scholarships or you could be missing out on some amazing opportunities.
Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the US—for FREE!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
