Need Scholarships for Fall? Scholarship deadlines are not over!

Updated on July 8th, 2024

KEEPING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS’ EYE ON THE PRIZE

A lot of students are looking forward to summer vacations, so the idea of rushing to complete applications before certain scholarship deadlines pass might not be very appealing. However, encouraging your student to take advantage of their free time to find more money is a smart move.

Achieving scholarship success requires persistence and strategic planning. For students, it may be easier to manage tasks like writing essays and submitting materials now that the school year is over and your student doesn’t have to focus on school work. That means they can produce a higher quality application since they have the ability to concentrate more fully.

Additionally, most scholarship deadlines are the sole cutoff point. Applications that are received early during the open application period aren’t necessarily given priority over those that come closer to the deadline. Since the time the paperwork is received has a limited, if any, effect on who gets the award, then it simply makes sense to keep their eye on the prize and have them apply. Any scholarship that’s still accepting applicants is worth exploring, as your student has just as much of a chance of winning as a student who applied right when the committee began accepting applications.

GATHERING MATERIALS FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AHEAD OF TIME

Since it is the end of the school year, high school students may want to grab some materials they will need before school lets out or at least get in contact with those they will need help from.

There are a range of documents that high school students may need for scholarship applications from their high school, and while certain school officials may be at the school during the summer, it is generally easier to acquire these documents before the school year ends.

These materials may include:

• Copy of transcripts
• Recommendation letters
• Reviewed final versions of essays
• Contact information of someone to review your essays

For students who couldn’t collect the necessary information before the end of the school year, there’s no need to panic. Some school district administrative offices have limited summer hours, and they may be able to help students get transcripts. Additionally, an increasing number of high schools are offering ways to get transcripts online, though they may be unofficial transcripts.

For recommendation letters from teachers or coaches, students might have some luck connecting with the teacher or coach on social media if they don’t have a direct email address.

If your student doesn’t already have a competitive essay or wants to learn how to improve their existing essays for the scholarship applications, we’ve got you covered. Below is an essay guide to help ensure you have the best chance of scoring scholarship funds.

AWARDS WITH SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES IN THE SUMMER

Scholarship awards provide essential financial support to students in the form of monetary grants for educational purposes. To help your student take advantage of their time off and try to squeeze some additional money out of the award process, here are some awards that have scholarship deadlines in the summer.

DIGITAL PRIVACY SCHOLARSHIP

The Digital Privacy Scholarship is an award program with a message; it hopes to bring attention to the risks of posting personal information on the internet while helping current college students and other students achieve their college dreams. The scholarship deadline is June 30. Interested students complete an online application form that includes a 140-character statement regarding how they are “taking responsibility for my digital profile.” The top 10 applications will be considered finalists and will be asked to create a full-length essay on the topic of digital privacy. The winning essay receives a $1,000 scholarship.

ANDREW FLUSCHE SCHOLARSHIP

If your student would prefer to create a video instead of writing an essay, the Andrew Flusche Scholarship is available for students, including those attending a U.S. college, university, graduate school, or trade school, to create public service announcement-style videos focused on a specific topic. This award’s scholarship deadline is June 30, but the funds aren’t allocated until the Spring semester. Winning entries receive $500.

THE SCHOLARSHIP SYSTEM ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Scholarship System is proud to offer scholarships worth up to $600. Students are eligible to apply for The Scholarship System Annual Scholarships if they’re currently enrolled in college or actively applying to undergraduate programs for the upcoming Fall semester. Applications are due by July 9, 2024, and students must submit an essay. Other eligibility requirements do apply, so students should review the different awards and see which one is the best fit.

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP

The Financial Empowerment Scholarship is worth $1,500, and both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. The application deadline is July 12, 2024, and instead of an essay, students submit a creative video explaining the importance of financial empowerment.

SUTCLIFF & STOUT ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

For the Sutliff & Stout Annual Scholarship, both graduating high school seniors heading to college and currently enrolled college students are eligible to apply. Students must write an essay focused on the given topic, and the complete application is due by July 26, 2024. The winner will receive a $1,500 award to assist with college expenses.

Download our free 3-step writing guide BELOW

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BEAT SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES

Many students worry about scholarship application deadlines passing them by, leaving them asking, “Is it too late for me to get a scholarship?” But as you can see, there are still college scholarships available for the next school year, and the ones above are just a small sample of what you can find.

Financial aid, including work-study programs and federal and state grants, is also crucial to consider. These also help students reduce their reliance on student loans, making it easier to graduate debt-free.

If you are interested in learning more about applying for scholarships (and particularly where to find these scholarships), join our free webinar.

Space is limited, so click HERE to sign up for the webinar today and learn more about scholarship deadlines along with the rest of the process!

FAQs

What is the deadline for most scholarships?

The application deadlines for most scholarships vary widely depending on the source and type of scholarship. Generally, many scholarships offered by private organizations, foundations, and local businesses have deadlines in the early spring, typically around March or April. This timing allows students to secure funding for the upcoming academic year. However, some scholarships, especially those offered by specific programs or regional entities, might have deadlines as early as fall or as late as summer.

When it comes to scholarships offered directly by colleges, the deadlines can be even more specific and tied closely to the institution’s own admissions cycle. Some colleges set their scholarship application deadlines to coincide with their application deadlines for admission. This means students might need to have their scholarship applications submitted by December or January, especially for early decision or early action plans. Others may have application deadlines that line up more acceptance letters. Since it can vary, students should explore available institutional scholarships as they prepare to apply, allowing them to find out where the deadlines fall before it’s too late.

Do you apply for scholarships before or after acceptance?

As a high school senior, it’s essential to begin the scholarship process before receiving acceptance into college. Many scholarship applications are due before students know which colleges they will attend. Starting early ensures that students have ample time to gather required documents, write essays, and meet application deadlines. Plus, applying for scholarships in the fall and winter of your senior year increases your chances of securing funds to help pay for college.

However, some scholarships can still be applied for after receiving college acceptance. These might include scholarships offered directly by the college a student plans to attend, as well as additional private scholarships with later deadlines. Continuously searching for scholarships throughout the year and even after enrolling in college can help students find new opportunities to ease the financial burden of their education, so it’s wise to embrace the process early and continue with it until graduation is in sight.

Do all scholarships require an essay?

Not all scholarships require an essay, though they are a common component. Many scholarship committees use essays to understand a student’s personality, achievements, and goals. Essays allow applicants to showcase their writing skills and provide deeper insights into their experiences and aspirations. However, the scholarship landscape is diverse, and not every opportunity mandates an essay.

Some scholarships may ask for other types of submissions instead of or in addition to essays. For instance, creative scholarships might require applicants to submit videos, portfolios of artwork, or musical compositions. Others might focus on academic achievements, requiring transcripts or letters of recommendation. This means that students with different strengths and interests have multiple ways to qualify for financial aid.

Is it OK to not apply to scholarships?

Yes, it is technically OK for a high school senior or current college student to choose not to apply for scholarships, but this decision might mean missing out on significant financial support. Scholarships provide free money that doesn’t need to be repaid, reducing the need for student loans and easing financial stress.

Scholarships can cover various costs, from tuition and books to housing and other expenses. As a result, not applying for scholarships can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses or increased reliance on debt-based financial aid.

Additionally, the application process can help students refine their writing and organizational skills, which are beneficial in college and beyond. Ultimately, while not mandatory, applying for scholarships is a highly valuable step for any high school senior or college student.