Current:Home > MyStill unsure about college? It's not too late to apply for scholarships or even school. -Wealth Evolution Experts
Still unsure about college? It's not too late to apply for scholarships or even school.
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-06 23:49:33
Even with the May 1 deadline for college decisions come and gone, many students may still be undecided about which school to attend, or they may have given up after a botched FAFSA roll-out and other problems securing financial aid.
But education experts want students and families to know, that it isn’t too late to get scholarships or even apply to a school to attend this fall.
Students have access to 1.7 million private scholarships and fellowships whose total value tops $7.4 billion, according to the independent nonprofit foundation Educationdata.org. Some applications for that funding require essays and academic or athletic achievement. But many don’t. Some take as few as two minutes to complete, with a chance to win as much as $25,000. Scholarships are also gifts and don’t have to be repaid.
“This is important both from an emotional standpoint and a practical, financial standpoint,” said James Lewis, president of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), a private foundation that works as a nonprofit to honor high-achieving students. “With the FAFSA delays and confusion, millions of young people feel helpless," he said, "But there is one area where they can take control and that’s applying for scholarships.”
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Learn more: Best personal loans
Who can apply for scholarships?
Anyone.
“Scholarships are available on a year-round basis and they’re not just for high school seniors – students of all grades and ages can apply,” Lewis said, noting college or graduate school students can also apply. “There’s literally a scholarship for everyone.”
Merit-based scholarships may require you to meet or exceed certain standards set by the scholarship-giver. Others may be needs-based. Many are geared toward specific groups of people: women; graduate students; where you or your parent work; military families; athletes, minorities; community service; music; and religious organizations.
Where can I find scholarships?
Everywhere.
“We generally start by suggesting students begin at home in their local communities,” Lewis said. “There, many business organizations and corporations provide scholarships. At the local level, there are also scholarships for virtually any extracurricular activity, from sports and dance to theater and STEM clubs.”
The Department of Education and NSHSS also offer suggestions and resources. Specific sites like StudentScholarships.org, Going Merry, Niche, and Scholly by Sallie Mae list scholarships.
Can I get a scholarship in time for school this fall?
Scholarship notifications vary widely, but most take one to three months, Lewis said.
“This should not discourage applicants,” he said. “Those who apply for scholarships will most likely have their awards by the start of the new school year if they win, and they can keep applying for scholarships even when they're in college.”
Some students are even able to pay for all of college by leveraging scholarships. The most famous one? Scholly founder Christopher Gray landed $1.3 million in scholarships and got a deal on Shark Tank for his company.
What if I haven’t even applied or gotten into a school yet?
It’s also not too late!
- National Association for College Admission Counseling lists schools that are still accepting applications.
- Niche allows students to be considered for immediate acceptance at 91 schools across 30 states through its Direct Admissions program through August 1 for the 2024-25 school year.
How does Direct Admissions work?
Students create a free Niche profile and select schools they’re interested in. If the student meets a school’s criteria, that school sends an immediate acceptance that includes a breakdown of the costs of attending and any scholarship money it can offer.
Students can compare offers and accept one without having to complete a separate, full school application or FAFSA to receive the offered scholarship.
Niche has 38 fields to complete, and the student never has to pay an application fee, said Luke Skurman, Niche’s chief executive.
Half of all U.S. college-bound high school seniors create an account on Niche each year, he said. This year, more than 900,000 students have at least one Niche Direct Admissions offer, but the average is more than five offers per student with an average scholarship of $18,500 per year, he said.
Alternative path:Is it possible to avoid student debt? These career, education tracks offer a different path
Bottom line
Higher education may feel especially unattainable this year due to soaring school costs, high interest rates and difficulty getting federal aid, but don’t give up, experts say.
“The main things are to be organized and to stick with it,” Lewis said. “The rewards can be amazing!”
Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.
veryGood! (46874)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Greenland Pummeled By Snow One Month After Its Summit Saw Rain For The First Time
- Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoes surgery
- Thai police wrap up probe of suspected cyanide serial killer: Even Jack the Ripper ... did not kill this many
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- California's Dixie Fire Is Now The 2nd Largest In State History
- Estonia becomes first ex-Soviet country to legalize same-sex marriage
- This Last-Minute Coachella Packing Guide Has Everything You Need to Prep for Festival Weekend
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Prince George's Role in King Charles III's Royal Coronation Revealed
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Putin delivers first speech since Wagner revolt, thanks Russians for defending fate of the Fatherland
- Our Future On A Hotter Planet Means More Climate Disasters Happening Simultaneously
- Another Major Heat Wave Is Bringing Triple-Digit Temps To The Pacific Northwest
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Another Major Heat Wave Is Bringing Triple-Digit Temps To The Pacific Northwest
- JoJo Siwa Teases New Romance in Message About Her “Happy Feelings”
- Climate Change Is Making Natural Disasters Worse — Along With Our Mental Health
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
This Last-Minute Coachella Packing Guide Has Everything You Need to Prep for Festival Weekend
Satellite Photos Show Just How Bad The Flooding From Ida Has Been In New Jersey
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 Tote Bag for Just $79
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
High Winds Are Threatening To Intensify The Flames Approaching Lake Tahoe
Water's Cheap... Should It Be?
Aerial Photos Show A Miles-Long Black Slick In Water Near A Gulf Oil Rig After Ida