When should you start applying for college scholarships? The answer depends on a couple of factors. Each scholarship you apply for will have its own deadline—and these deadlines will help determine when you should be writing essays and sending applications.
Some scholarship deadlines can be up to a year before college even starts, which means it’s good to start seriously looking during your junior year of high school. Still, the earlier the better. Some scholarships allow you to apply during your freshman or sophomore years of high school—and doing some initial research leading up to your junior or senior years can help you plan which scholarships you really want to go after.
If you’re already in your senior year of high school and you haven’t applied for any scholarships, that’s OK! You still have time—especially if it’s early in the school year. Some scholarship deadlines, for example, will extend to May of your senior year. In fact, it’s possible to continue earning scholarships even after you start your freshman year of college. (Although you may have more to distract you at that point.)
