When Should You Start Applying for Scholarships in 2025?

It's no secret that getting a college education costs a lot. For students who know early on that they want to pursue higher education after high school, it is important to think about the financial aspect of college sooner rather than later. Working and saving money is helpful, but for young students, their full-time "job" is being a student and studying. Yeah, sure, federal student aid can be helpful, but as a way to cut back on college costs, students can apply for scholarships, which are essentially free money. Who doesn't like free money?? But when can you start applying for scholarships? And when is the best time to apply?

This article is all about knowing when to start applying for scholarships, why they're hard to find, and what should come first in the college application process. However, Bold.org always encourages students to seek out scholarships as soon as they are available. So, let the journey begin!

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When to Start Applying for Scholarships

In the case of most scholarships, as with Bold.org, students are able to apply for scholarships starting in high school. Before that, students should focus on doing well in school and building good study habits. On Bold.org, those under the age of 14 are not yet eligible to apply for scholarships but can get ahead by working on their extracurricular involvement, community service, and academic performance.

The Federal Student Aid recommends that students begin applying for scholarships during the summer break before their final academic year of high school, but applying even earlier can make them eligible for many scholarships. Submitting applications from an early high school age allows students to become comfortable with applying for scholarships. By the time they come to their junior and senior years, students will know how to apply for college scholarships, how to meet scholarship deadlines, and how to write strong scholarship essays.

Many students begin their scholarship search in their junior year of high school. Junior year is packed full of college preparation, between taking the ACT and/or the SAT and going on college visits. As students prepare for their future, they can start to think more critically about what financial aid they will need and where they can get it from. Scholarships are pushed most heavily for high school seniors since they are the closest to entering college, but the more applications you submit early on, the better chance you have of winning.

Scholarships and Their Availability

There are many scholarship opportunities available for new college students, but you have to know where to look. From merit-based scholarships to athletic scholarships, Bold.org offers a wide range of scholarships available to students of all education levels and backgrounds. And yet, with so many available scholarships, it can be difficult to find scholarships that you are eligible for.

In order to have the best chances of winning scholarship money, students are encouraged to apply for college scholarships with several requirements. The more criteria there are in order for students to apply, the fewer people will apply, making your chances of winning free money that much higher.

Bold.org is a great place to start your scholarship search. There, you can find groups of scholarships that are tailored specifically to you. There are categories by state, ethnicity, education level, major, background, identity, hobbies, and so on. In these categories and on the scholarship search page, you can find merit scholarships, need-based scholarships, and a variety of private scholarships that can provide excellent financial aid.

It might take time to find scholarships that are best for you, but if you use your resources - both online and in person with school counselors - you will have a chance to apply for more scholarships than you may have thought possible.

College or Scholarships First?

The first half of a student's senior year is usually dominated by college applications, but that doesn't mean scholarships have to wait. Students can start applying for scholarships at the same time as their college applications. Scholarships that aren't school-specific can be applied to whatever school you attend, so you don't need to wait until you're accepted to a college before applying for scholarships.

There are no official scholarship seasons, so if you wait until you are accepted to a school to begin applying, you will miss out on opportunities available earlier in the year. Senior year is an important time for scholarships, so as students lock in what school they want to attend, they are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as they are reasonably able to.

It's also important to keep in mind that during your senior year, you can begin thinking about other financial aid options. You can apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to earn federal student aid and talk to your guidance counselors about your future plans.

Staying Ahead of the Game

It's "never too early" to for high school students to seek out scholarships, but on the other hand, it's never too late to find college scholarships! High schoolers, undergraduates, and graduate students all have the opportunity to get financial aid, including various scholarships. But if you have questions about the best time to do so, keep reading for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding when to apply for scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions About When to Apply for Scholarships

What is the easiest scholarship to get?

When it comes to getting scholarships, much like is the case with schooling, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. So, while some scholarship applications may be easy to apply for, taking only a few clicks, it isn't necessarily the easiest to win. The broader the scholarship requirements, the more people will apply, especially in the case of easy, no-essay scholarships. These opportunities may be easier to apply for, but the easiest scholarships to get are the ones that have more eligibility requirements because fewer students will be applying.

How should I apply for scholarships?

Scholarships are offered through various mediums. Bold.org is an easy-to-use, free online scholarship program and a great resource for finding online scholarship applications. However, there are other scholarship opportunities available in your local community or through your school. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships in each of these categories so they can get a wide range of opportunities for financial aid. Speak with your school's financial aid office or talk with an advisor who can help you find the best opportunities for you.

When should I start applying for scholarships?

Although there is no "right time" to apply for scholarships, the earlier you begin your search, the better chances you have of finding scholarship applications designed for you with enough time to apply for them. So, in short, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Yes, the option for federal student aid is there, but you shouldn't have to subject yourself to a life of student debt when there is an abundance of financial resources available to you, especially through platforms like Bold.org so, if you've made the decision to go to college, begin your college scholarship search now and thank us later.

Interested in learning more? Check out our Scholarship Blog to stay up-to-date with everything college-related and learn how you can start applying for scholarships today!