As seniors are now being accepted to their future universities, it is essential to remember that the application process doesn’t end after acceptance. It starts with FAFSA, logging in to your student portals, changing your major as you set out who you want to be in life, and applying for scholarships.
Scholarships are essential to make your dream school sound more achievable. We have all had to pass up schools to apply to because of their high tuition costs, but with scholarships, it can make your favorite universities become more affordable. Ms. Bachynski, a counselor here at Rochester, shares that they are “just a way to save yourself the money and not have to pay it out of pocket after you get your degree.”
It is important to apply to as many scholarships as possible, because it turns out to be something that many college graduates really end up regretting. There are many scholarship opportunities available on the counseling page listed, and they can be applied to almost every student. There are also many databases that offer scholarships, like scholarship.org. Some clubs offer scholarships as well, including the National English Honors Society, so make sure to check with any club advisors for scholarship opportunities.
However, many scam websites for awards are on the rise. When looking at opportunities, if they require upfront payment, guarantee that you will win, or ask for personal information like social security numbers, then they are most likely a scam. If you are questioning whether a scholarship website is a scam or not, ask a counselor to help you look over the website.
During this time, it is important to remember that counselors are here to help you, and if you have not gotten to know your counselor yet, then schedule an appointment and meet them! They are one of the most important people to talk to during this process, and won’t shy away from any questions you have.
All in all, if you haven’t started applying for scholarships, it’s never too late to start. It is important to start to knock out the small things before they become bigger problems in the long run. While considering the weight of what your future may hold, still enjoy all senior year has to offer, and make it count!
