Flickr user Jake Slagle
Getting a scholarship can be a boon to any student applying to college, but many students are not sure about the right time to apply. Should they apply for scholarships before getting accepted into a college or do they have to wait to receive the acceptance letter and only then apply?
Don’t Wait, Apply Now!
The short answer is you don’t have to wait for your college plans to be finalized or to be accepted into a college before you can apply for a scholarship. You can start applying to scholarship opportunities as early as your freshman year in high school.
However…
Here’s what you need to know though. If your scholarship application is successful and you win any award before knowing which college you will be attending, you need to inform the scholarship organization. They will then either keep the money on hold and only give it to you after you have confirmed which college you will be attending or they will write you the check right away to be used only on condition that you use it for college, regardless of where you attend.
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| 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 |
