If Not This Summer, When? - A Guest Post

By Dave "The Scholarship Coach"

“I wish I had pushed my HS senior to commit to applying for scholarships. Later in her senior

year, she found all kinds of ways to avoid putting in the effort.”

– Mom of a Graduating High School Senior

Dave is the creator of Scholarship GPS, an online course where he shares his knowledge about finding and earning scholarships. He also provides one-on-one scholarship coaching and has a podcast and blog where he shares the latest scholarship and college prep news.

Every year, parents reflect on the journey of supporting their high school seniors as they

approach graduation, often wishing they had taken different steps along the way. A common

regret? Not urging their child to apply for scholarships sooner. As senior year unfolds, students often find countless reasons to procrastinate on those applications.

Sound familiar? You may hear this all too often:

“School just started. I need to adjust to my new schedule first.”

“I’ll dive into scholarship applications after football season.”

“I have midterms coming up; scholarships can wait.”

“Let me enjoy winter break before I think about scholarships.”

“I need to focus on my SATs first.”

“I have to complete my college applications before tackling scholarships.”

High school students certainly lead busy lives. However, every day they postpone scholarship applications is another missed scholarship opportunity, potentially leading to overwhelming student loan debt in the future.

So, when is the optimal time to start pursuing scholarships? The answer is clear: summer! With fewer demands from classes, homework, and extracurricular activities, students have an ideal opportunity to dedicate time and energy to their applications.

Starting this process in the summer also helps maintain momentum throughout the academic

year. Applying for scholarships makes students more comfortable with the scholarship

application process. As they gain experience, they can create a collection of essays that can be tailored for multiple applications. Instead of scrambling to begin the scholarship hunt once

school is in session, they’ll build on their efforts that began over the summer, improving with

each submission and enhancing their chances of securing funding.

For many students, the hardest part is simply getting started. The sheer volume of available

scholarships can feel overwhelming, and the thought of writing personal essays can be daunting for those unaccustomed to the task.

Did you know that scholarships are not just for high school seniors? Scholarships are available for students at every educational level, from kindergarten to graduate school. Many high school freshmen and sophomores will be surprised to discover the wealth of scholarship opportunities open to them. Juniors have even more possibilities, including prestigious awards that cover full tuition for four years at any college across the country and a full-ride scholarship that is only open to high school juniors.

By beginning their scholarship search before senior year, students not only access greater

opportunities but also gain invaluable experience that will set them apart as stronger applicants during their senior year.

Encouraging students to dive into scholarships during the summer can significantly impact their college funding journey, paving the way for a brighter and more financially secure academic future!

If you would like your high school students in the Class of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 to start their scholarship journey, check out the Scholarship Summer Camp from Scholarship GPS. This online program teaches students where to find the best scholarships, how to apply for the right ones, and how to write essays that get noticed by scholarship judges. Best of all, students learn by doing, applying for real scholarships with more than $40,000 in potential prizes! The Scholarship Summer Camp begins on June 2nd , so don’t delay. Click here to learn more.