When it comes to scholarships, when to start applying can make or break your chances. Each year, there are over 1.7 million scholarships up for grabs across the U.S., but only about 7% of college students actually land one. That gap shows just how competitive the scholarship game can get—and why knowing when to start can seriously boost your odds.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the best timelines to start applying for scholarships, offer tips to keep you organized, and flag common mistakes to avoid. From figuring out the right time to apply to learning how early you should start, we’ll cover everything you need to know about when you should start applying for scholarships to give yourself the best shot.
- When Is the Best Time to Apply for Scholarships?
- How Early Can You Apply for Scholarships?
- Types of Scholarships Based on Application Timing
- Steps to Take Before Applying for Scholarships
- How Many Scholarships Should I Apply For?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid in Scholarship Applications
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
When Is the Best Time to Apply for Scholarships?
The best time to start applying for scholarships really depends on where you’re at in school:
For high school students
If you’re in high school, start applying for scholarships early—it pays off! Ideally, dive in as early as freshman year. This gives you time to get familiar with the process and start racking up achievements, which can make you stand out when you apply.
Freshman and sophomore years are prime time to focus on academics, extracurriculars, and volunteer work. Building a strong profile early on sets you up for both merit-based and community-based scholarships later. Plus, some scholarships are actually open to underclassmen, which means you can start winning awards before you even hit junior year.
By junior year, it’s go time. This is when you start applying for bigger scholarships, and you’ll want to be ready with recommendation letters and well-thought-out essays. As a senior, your main window for those high-value scholarships is October through March, so start applying the summer before senior year can help you avoid that crunch.
For college students
When you reach college, you can still start applying for scholarships. There’s actually a lot out there if you know where to look. Many college-level scholarships have application deadlines in early fall and spring, so it’s smart to start scouting before the academic year kicks off.
If you’re an undergrad, it’s especially helpful to start applying for scholarships early in the year. Some scholarships are need-based and might require a completed FAFSA to qualify, so getting the application started and submitted early (it opens in October) helps line you up for both need-based and merit-based funds.
Graduate students have a bit of a different game. Many scholarships are geared towards research or specific fields. These deadlines often align with academic breaks, giving you time to pull everything together without a ton of distractions.
Overall, the earlier you start, the more time you have to prep your application, get those essays polished, and stay on top of deadlines. With a solid timeline, both high school and college students can really up their chances of cutting down those college costs.
How Early Can You Apply for Scholarships?
Surprisingly, you don’t have to wait until junior or senior year to start applying for scholarships. Plenty of opportunities kick in as early as freshman year, and getting an early start can boost your confidence and make you more competitive down the road.
Scholarships for freshmen and sophomores
Even if you’re just starting high school, there are scholarships you can start applying for right away, especially if you have a unique talent or strong interest in a specific area. Some of these early opportunities are competition-based or require a creative submission:
- For instance, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge offers up to $250,000 for students aged 13 to 18 who submit a short video breaking down a scientific concept. It’s a great way for younger students to show off their skills and snag some early funding.
- Another one to consider is the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship, which offers up to $35,000 for a patriotic-themed audio essay. Open to high school students across all grades, it’s a solid opportunity.
- Sophomores also have some specific options, like the Davidson Fellows Award, which rewards impressive work in STEM, literature, and music.
Tackling these applications early can help you build up experience and, with some luck, rack up multiple awards by graduation.
Graduate school and postgraduate scholarships
If you’re heading to grad school, there’s a wealth of scholarships you can start applying for, tailored just for you. These awards are often linked to specific fields or research interests:
- For example, the Ford Global Fellowship offers funding to Ph.D. students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing studies in STEM or social sciences.
- Another big one, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, provides solid support for research-based master’s and doctoral students, with deadlines set early in the fall to fit academic planning.
- For women in postgrad programs, there’s also the American Association of University Women (AAUW) fellowship, which supports women across various fields. Specialized scholarships like these offer real financial relief for grad students, especially if you start applying early.
Getting an early start on scholarships, whether you’re in high school or grad school, allows you to build up application skills, get recognized, and chip away at educational costs bit by bit. Starting as soon as you’re eligible gives you a better chance at stacking up awards and cutting down that financial load before it even starts to feel heavy.
Types of Scholarships Based on Application Timing
When you can start applying for scholarships often depends on whether they’re merit-based, need-based, or have rolling deadlines:
Merit-based scholarships and deadlines
Merit-based scholarships are all about rewarding achievements—academic, athletic, or in some other field. These scholarships tend to be competitive, with deadlines that usually fall between early and mid-fall.
Take the merit scholarships at the University of Chicago, for example. They’re based on academic success and leadership and can range from $2,000 to full tuition. Plus, you don’t need to fill out extra applications. Just applying to the school is enough to put you in the running, with notifications sent out through April. Getting your application in early is definitely an advantage here.
Then there’s the well-known National Merit Scholarship, which relies on your PSAT/NMSQT scores. Applications are generally due early in your senior year, with results announced by spring. The award offers up to $2,500 and is one of the most widely recognized scholarships out there.
Need-based scholarships and financial aid timelines
Need-based scholarships are meant for students who can demonstrate financial need, typically through FAFSA or the CSS Profile. You can start applying for these scholarships each year on October 1, and funds are often given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
A well-known example is the Federal Pell Grant, which provides up to $7,395 annually to students with “exceptional need.” Similarly, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) awards between $100 and $4,000 per year for qualifying low-income students.
Some schools, like Emory University, offer their own need-based aid, which can also factor in academic merit. Emory’s Scholar Programs, for instance, provide substantial funding for students who demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence.
Rolling and year-round scholarships
If you need flexibility, rolling scholarships are a great option since they’re open year-round.
For instance, Access Scholarships’ “Too Cool to Pay for School” award offers $1,000 each quarter, giving you several chances throughout the year. Similarly, the Discover Student Loans Scholarship awards $5,000 in a quarterly random drawing. Rolling scholarships are particularly helpful if you find yourself needing extra funds mid-semester.
Lining up your applications with these timelines can really boost your eligibility and chances of landing financial support. Starting with need-based aid like FAFSA, focusing on competitive merit scholarships in the fall, and keeping an eye on rolling awards year-round can help ease the financial burden of school.
If you’re curious about a full list of scholarships and deadlines, be sure to check out our blog for more details.
Steps to Take Before Applying for Scholarships
When figuring out when you should start applying for scholarships, preparation is your best friend. Setting up your applications with care will give you a stronger shot at the awards you’re aiming for.
1. Research scholarship opportunities.
Start by casting a wide net—look into scholarships based on academics, extracurriculars, personal background, and other unique criteria that fit your profile.
Don’t overlook local or regional scholarships, either. With smaller applicant pools, these can sometimes be easier to secure than big national awards. Plus, by narrowing down scholarships based on your eligibility, you won’t waste time on ones that don’t fit.
2. Gather necessary documents.
Most scholarship applications ask for the usual suspects: transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. If you’re applying for need-based scholarships, you’ll likely need financial records like your FAFSA report, too.
Keep a digital folder with all these documents ready to go. It’ll save you from last-minute scrambling and make it easy to customize each application to the specific requirements.
3. Write a strong personal statement or essay.
When starting to apply for scholarships, think of your personal statement or essay as your chance to really connect with the scholarship committee. This is where you highlight your story, goals, and achievements. Scholarship reviewers often place a lot of weight on the essay, so spend some time making it shine.
Tailor each essay to fit the scholarship’s mission and values. If it’s a merit-based scholarship, dive into your academic goals. If it’s service-oriented, share how your community work ties into your future aspirations. And definitely ask for feedback from a teacher or mentor to help fine-tune your message.
Personalizing each essay makes it stand out, and taking the time to get it right will give you a much better chance than a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Many Scholarships Should I Apply For?
Aim for 5 to 10 applications per month if you can—enough to give you a good shot without overwhelming you. Set aside regular time each week or month to focus on applications so you can work steadily without cramming last minute.
To really improve your odds, build a diverse list of scholarships. Include a mix of big, competitive national ones, smaller local or niche scholarships, and some mid-sized options in between.
Local scholarships usually have fewer applicants, so you might have a better shot than with the big-name awards. Local organizations, community groups, and clubs often offer scholarships tied to where you live or specific hobbies or fields, and the smaller applicant pool means a little less competition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Scholarship Applications
When it comes to scholarships, even tiny mistakes can knock you out of the running. Two of the most common pitfalls? Missing deadlines and submitting one-size-fits-all applications. Here’s how to avoid these missteps and make your applications count:
1. Missing deadlines
Missing a deadline is a guaranteed way to get disqualified, regardless of how stellar your application might be. Many scholarship programs have strict cutoffs, and late submissions just aren’t accepted.
To dodge this mistake, try setting up a calendar specifically for scholarship deadlines. When starting to apply for scholarships, set reminders a week or two ahead of time, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. This buffer gives you plenty of time to review everything, and it helps you avoid issues like tech problems or last-second document requests.
2. Not customizing applications for each scholarship
A big mistake a lot of students make is using the same application for every scholarship. While it might save you time, it doesn’t show you’re putting in the effort to understand each scholarship’s unique angle.
Many scholarships are connected to specific values or goals of the organization offering them. Taking a moment to align your application with their mission—especially in your essay or personal statement—can really help you stand out.
For example, if a scholarship is all about community service, make sure you highlight your volunteer experiences and show how they connect to the scholarship’s values. You can reuse parts of an essay, but make sure each application feels personal and relevant to the specific scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do grants differ from scholarships?
Grants and scholarships are both forms of financial aid that you don’t have to pay back, but they work a bit differently. Grants are usually need-based, meaning they’re awarded based on financial need (think FAFSA). Scholarships, however, are often merit-based, rewarding you for academic achievements, athletic skills, or other talents. Some scholarships might consider financial need, but they’re typically geared toward recognizing specific accomplishments.
2. When should you start applying for scholarships in high school?
Ideally, you should start looking into scholarships as early as freshman or sophomore year. This gives you a head start, but you’ll likely dive into serious applications by junior year, when more scholarship opportunities open up, especially those tied to college admissions.
3. When should you start applying for college scholarships?
If you’re heading to college soon, it’s smart to start searching and applying for scholarships about a year before you plan to start school. This means the fall and winter of your senior year will likely be your busiest time.
4. When are scholarships due?
Deadlines vary a lot. Some scholarships have early deadlines in October or November of senior year, while others may not be due until spring or are available year-round (rolling deadlines). Keep a list of deadlines with reminders set a few days ahead to give yourself some cushion time for each application.
5. What percentage of students receive scholarships or grants for college?
Out of millions of students, only about 7% manage to secure any scholarship aid. With over 1.7 million scholarships available annually in the U.S., competition is fierce. This low percentage shows why it’s essential to start early, apply widely, and stay organized to maximize your chances.
Takeaways
So, when should you start applying for scholarships? Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Timing is everything. Many scholarships have deadlines that sneak up early, so starting by junior year in high school puts you a step ahead.
- For high schoolers, the sweet spots are junior year and the summer before senior year. If you’re already in college, keep applying every academic year to catch any new opportunities.
- Cast a wide net with merit-based, need-based, and rolling scholarships. Mixing it up with different types will open up more chances for eligibility.
- Missing deadlines can cost you, so track them closely and personalize each application to hit the right notes for every scholarship.
- A college admissions consultant can give you guidance on the process and help you nail down your best scholarship options with targeted applications.
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