Scholarships
True or False: You should only apply for scholarships your senior year.
False — you can start as early as freshman year.
What’s the key word that makes a grant different from a loan?
It’s free money
What is a student loan?
Borrowed money you must pay back with interest
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
What is work-study?
Part-time job on campus to help pay for school
A scholarship asks for your résumé. List two things you should include besides GPA.
Leadership roles, volunteer work, jobs, or extracurriculars.
Which application do you fill out to see if you qualify for grants?
FAFSA
Why should you try to avoid taking out loans?
You have to repay them + interest
When do you apply for FAFSA?
Senior year (October)
True or False: You can only use work-study money for tuition.
False — you can use it for books, food, etc.
You have a 3.0 GPA and volunteer once a month. What type of scholarships should you prioritize?
Community service, leadership, or local organization scholarships.
What’s the most common federal grant for college students?
Pell Grant
What’s one way to reduce how much you borrow?
Scholarships, grants, work-study, community college first
What kind of money can FAFSA unlock?
Grants, work-study, federal loans
What’s one benefit of work-study jobs?
Flexible hours + job experience
What’s one mistake that causes students to lose scholarship opportunities?
Missing deadlines, incomplete applications, or copying essays.
True or False: You can only receive one grant at a time.
False
What’s the difference between federal and private loans?
Federal = from government (lower interest), Private = from banks
True or False: Only citizens can fill out FAFSA.
True, but some states have options for DACA/undocumented students
What’s one smart money move to start now as a high schooler?
Save money, build résumé, get a part-time job
A scholarship requires a 3.5 GPA and 100 volunteer hours. You’re at 3.2 and 40 hours. What’s your strategy to still win scholarships?
Apply to others that fit better, improve grades, track volunteer hours, look for need-based or local awards
What determines how much grant money you get?
Financial need (based on FAFSA)
You get a Pell Grant for freshman year, but your GPA drops below 2.0. What happens?
You could lose eligibility until grades improve.
What info do you need from your parents for FAFSA?
Tax info, income, SSN (if applicable)
Starbucks, Chipotle, UPS, McDonalds, Chic-Fil-A, Pizza Hut, Chili's.