The Scholarship GPS Podcast: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree

Get The Real Scoop on College Tours + 5 Scholarships

A conversation with one of Alex’s friends completely altered his college search process. His friend just started his first year at Duke University and was raving about the campus, the culture, and the opportunities. At that time, Duke wasn’t super high on Alex’s list, but that conversation set him on the path of becoming a life-long Blue Devil.
As Alex’s college experience played out, he came to realize the influence of those words and see that the most valuable thing a prospective student could have during a college visit was insights to someone who genuinely lived the experience they were imagining for themselves. Someone with similar interests, goals, and concerns not too long ago.
So Alex started Campus Maven to connect prospective students with current university students who just went through the process themselves, creating private, personalized tours that go beyond what any official campus visit could offer.
In our conversation, we discussed:
How to best approach the college tour process
How college tours help multiple aspects of the admissions process
How “real” official campus tours are
How a tour with Campus Maven gives a different perspective
And much more…
To learn more, visit Campus-Maven.com
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Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Future in Family Law Scholarship
$1000 Making the Leap for Transfer Students Scholarship
$1000 KB Delta Scholarship
$2000 Legal Marketing Scholarship
$2500 "No Sweat" Scholarship
FREE Premium Cirkled In Student Portfolio Platform & Scholarship Database!
Students in any of the Scholarship Navigator Programs get a FREE premium CirkledIn membership! So, in addition to benefits like a custom list of scholarships that match the student’s profile, scholarship application and essay help, and access to the Scholarship GPS course to learn scholarship best practices, students will also get a premium Circkled In profile which they can share with colleges, internships, employers, and scholarships. Plus, students can access the scholarship database with over 6000 vetted scholarships, updated daily!
Click here to learn more about the Scholarship Navigator Programs.
 

Parents Still Matter in the Scholarship Process + 6 Scholarships

When families begin the scholarship journey, many parents assume there are only two options:
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Either parents take over the process completely, or they step back and let students handle everything on their own.
Neither approach works very well.
The most successful scholarship families usually find a healthier balance...
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Student Loan Rates Drop!
Last Monday, one of Scholarship GPS’s partner organizations, Juno, saw a significant rate drop for undergraduate loans on Juno’s platform. Juno leverages collective bargaining to negotiate lower student loans. After receiving input from families, they shared feedback with their partner lenders who then lowered rates compared to previous weeks. For many people who need to borrow for college, rates may now be lower.
If you’ve completed a rate check before, it is worthwhile to do it again. We don’t know how long these rates will last, and are encouraging families to lock in a rate now. After completing a rate check, if you submit a full application and are approved, your rates are generally locked for 30 days. You can check your rates by clicking here.
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Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Public by Default Scholarship
Maschka Personal Injury $1000 Safety Advocate Scholarship
$1000 Jeanne Murphy Scholarship: Compassion in Action
$1000 “Commencing at Community College” Essay Scholarship
$1000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
$2026 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship
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Free Resource: Click here to download our list of recommended scholarship websites.
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Click here to learn more about the Scholarship Navigator program.

6 Scholarship Myths That Cause Families to Miss Opportunities & 6 Scholarships That Disprove Those Myths

Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Swift Justice Scholarship
Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys $1000 Forward-Thinking Future Scholarship
$1000 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship
$1500 Do-Over Scholarship
$5000 MyOTC Scholarship for Health Access
$2026 No Essay Scholarship from ScholarshipOwl
$10,000 Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship
I've put together a free Scholarship Website Guide that explains the websites I recommend, what each one does well, and the pros and cons of each. It can save you a lot of trial and error and help you focus your scholarship search where it matters most."
To get your free copy go to ScholarshipGPS.com/scholarship-websites

Testing and Scholarship Timelines + 5 Scholarships

Success on the road to college depends as much on what you do during summers as during the school year. If you’re looking to make this summer count, find out everything you need to know about when and how to prep for the important SAT & ACT and submit successful scholarship applications.With over 30 years of intensive experience in every aspect of standardized test preparation, Mike Bergin, Founder of Chariot Learning, knows what works in test prep and what doesn’t... and when the best time to prep is.
In this webinar recording, Mike and I shared timelines for both testing and scholarships to ensure your student maximizes their opportunities to get into and pay for college.
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You heard me make a special offer to the attendees of the webinar for the Scholarship Summer Camp. The first session of the Summer Camp started on June 1st, and unfortunately, it’s too late to join. However, I’ll be running a second session of the Scholarship Summer Camp that starts on July 27th. And, I’d like to offer my listeners the same discount that the webinar attendees got. So, click here, and use discount code WEBINAR before the Summer Camp starts on July 27th to save $20 – making the Camp just $77!
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Talk to REAL students and get the REAL story.
Campuswink.com gives students and families direct access to hundreds of current college students nationwide for personalized campus tours and virtual Q&A sessions. Ask the questions official tours won’t answer and get insider insight before stepping on campus.Choose your school. Choose your Guide. Ask anything.Personalized tours and live student connections are available nationwide.
Click here to learn more.
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Featured Scholarships:
$2500 Cashing in on Summer Scholarship
Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer $1000 Community Service Scholarship
Erkel Law $1000 Employee Civil Rights in the Digital Age Scholarship
Mandour & Associates $2500 “What will be your Trademark?” Scholarship
$2500 Sandi Fuqua Scholarship
Click here for a free list of scholarships for students in Illinois.
 

Scholarships Aren't The Only Way To Save Money On College

Alicia is the founder of College Redefined. She grew up as a homeschooled student. During middle school, she became motivated to find ways to complete her college degree faster while making it cost-efficient at the same time. Through hard work and dedication, she graduated from high school with almost 2 years of college already completed. Upon graduation, she worked full-time as a school teacher for two years while still working on her degree. Alicia is passionate about helping students get an advantage in college by earning some college credits during middle/high school or a gap year. This will allow them to finish college quicker and for less money while strengthening their resume through work experience at a young age.
In our conversation, we discussed:
What students can be working on before they decide on their college major
The best low-cost ways to explore different degrees
The most expensive mistakes undecided students make
Step one for students who feel stuck
And much more…
Alicia and I are teaming up with an amazing offer! Get lifetime access to the Scholarship GPS course, where you and your student will learn:
How to identify the best scholarships for your student
Best practices for scholarship applications, essays, and projects
The importance of crafting your student’s Personal Narrative --   a key element in winning scholarships
Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as:
A scholarship tracking tool preloaded with quick and easy no-essay scholarships for immediate application
A scholarship checklist template to ensure completion of applications
An activity log to track your student’s volunteer experiences 
As an added bonus, you’ll get Alicia’s Specialized College Plan, a a personalized strategy designed around your student’s individual strengths, goals, and future career aspirations. Students receive expert guidance tailored specifically to their academic performance, interests, hobbies, learning style, and long-term vision.
Get both programs at the special, limited-time discounted cost of just $147! Visit ScholarshipGPS.com/collegeredefined to learn more and to sign up today!
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Talk to REAL students and get the REAL story. 
Campuswink.com gives students and families direct access to hundreds of current college students nationwide for personalized campus tours and virtual Q&A sessions. Ask the questions official tours won’t answer and get insider insight before stepping on campus.
Choose your school. Choose your Guide. Ask anything.Personalized tours and live student connections are available nationwide.Go to CampusWink.com to learn more.
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Will Your Student Learn the Secrets to Scholarship Success This Summer?
Our Most Popular Program!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.
Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!
Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.
On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.
Here’s the agenda:
Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You
Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!
Click here to learn more and register today.
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Featured Scholarships:
$35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest
Towson Law Firm $1000 Child Custody Analysis Scholarship
$5000 Burress Injury Law Underdog Scholarship
$1000 Easy Money Scholarship
 

Extracurriculars Led This Student to a Full-Tuition Scholarship + 6 Scholarships

Scholarship GPS student, Teagan, was recently awarded a full-tuition scholarship!
This wasn’t an accident. Teagan was focused on her end goal and took purposeful action throughout high school to set herself up for success.
In our interview, we discussed:
What motivated Teagan to start her scholarship journey
How extracurriculars led Teagan to her full-tuition scholarship as well as her future college major and career path
The process for earning the full-tuition scholarship
The importance of teamwork in the scholarship and college admissions journey
And much more
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Your High Schooler’s Scholarship Journey Begins This Summer!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.
Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!
Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.
On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.
Here’s the agenda:
Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You
Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!
Click here to register for Session A, which starts June 1st. If the timing doesn’t work for you, click here to check out the B session, which starts July 27th.
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Paying for College 101
Juno’s team of student loan experts offers guidance on the best approaches to pay for college in this webinar. We’ll cover how to increase your financial aid package, maximize scholarships, and decide between different loan options. Plenty of time will be allotted to questions, so bring yours! Click here to register for this free informational event.
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Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Access to Education Scholarship
$1000 Done with Distracted Driving Scholarship
$1000 Single Parent Scholarship
$3000 There's Space for Everyone Scholarship
$2500 Bertolino Impact In Government Scholarship
$10,000 Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship
$2000 Smarter College Scholarship

How to Succeed at College + 6 Scholarships

If your child is turning 18, whether they are going away to college or remaining at home, please consider getting a Power of Attorney in place. You can use my discount code, ScholarshipCoach20, to take 20% off the total price when you use this link: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=44
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The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.
Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!
Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.
On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.
Here’s the agenda:
Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You
Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!
Session A starts June 1st. If the timing doesn’t work for you, click here to check out the B session, which starts July 27th.
As an added bonus, get Katie Azevedo’s Note-Taking Power System absolutely free (a $47 value) when you sign up for the Scholarship Summer Camp at ScholarshipGPS.com/Katie
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Karen Dentler has over 20 years of experience in higher education. She has held positions in student life and academic administration at Rutgers University, Princeton University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Dentler has her MA in higher education from the University of Michigan and a BA in philosophy from Colgate University. Karen is also the author of the book “Go to Class: How to Succeed at College.” During a recent webinar, Karen shared insider secrets from an experienced higher education professional to help your student thrive in college.
Plus, I shared some tips on how your student can earn scholarships while they are in college.
Karen’s book, “Go to Class: How to Succeed at College,” makes the perfect gift for your college-bound teen. Click here to get your copy today.
Or, get the book for free when you sign up for the Scholarship GPS course!
The course features concise video lessons designed to seamlessly fit into your busy schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Throughout the course, you’ll acquire essential scholarship skills, including:
How to identify the best scholarships for your student
Best practices for scholarship applications, essays, and projects
The importance of crafting your student’s Personal Narrative -- a key element in winning scholarships
Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as:
A scholarship tracking tool preloaded with quick and easy no-essay scholarships for immediate application
A scholarship checklist template to ensure completion of applications
An activity log to track your student’s volunteer experiences
In addition to the valuable scholarship information, what sets Scholarship GPS apart is the inclusion of bonus lessons from trusted professionals, offering expert insights into college admissions, test preparation, and other crucial aspects of college readiness. By enrolling in this program, you will not only gain valuable information about scholarships but also receive a comprehensive overview of college preparation.
Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your scholarship journey today!
This special, limited-time offer is available only at this exclusive link.
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Featured Scholarships:
O’Cathain Law Group $2500 First in Family Scholarship
Hackard Law $1000 Fair Inheritance Scholarship
Unigo $1500 Fifth Month Scholarship
Jones & Swanson $2500 Community Service Scholarship
$2000 Smarter College Better Financial Future Scholarship
Appily $1000 Easy Money Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, nodebtcollege.substack.com.
 
 

The Best Mother's Day Gift: A Full-Tuition Scholarship!

In late February, I woke up in the middle of the night and checked my email.
There was a message from Carter telling me that she had been awarded a full-tuition scholarship!
That incredible accomplishment was not luck. It was the result of many months, even years, of focused effort to achieve this goal.
Carter and her mom, Tiffany, were kind enough to talk about their scholarship journey, offering insight and tips based on their experience.
In our interview, we discussed:
What motivated them to start applying for scholarships in the first place
The role that parents can play in the scholarship process
How they stayed motivated through some tough scholarship losses
The importance of a compelling Personal Narrative for scholarship success
What it was like to work with me, Dave the Scholarship Coach
And much more
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Katie is giving you her Note-Taking Power System for free, when you sign up for the Scholarship Summer Camp. Katie’s program is Your teen’s step-by-step system for turning notes into better grades. Plus, in the Scholarship Summer Camp, they will learn the process for earning scholarships by getting guidance to apply for 3 real scholarships. To take advantage of this offer, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/Katie. This offer is not available at any other link, and can not be combined with any other offer or discount.
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Featured Scholarships:
J. Lopez Law $1000 Powering Through Scholarship
Block Law $1000 Triumph Through Family Adversity Scholarship
$1000 “College Here I Come” Scholarship for High School Seniors
$1000 “Broad Horizons” Scholarship for High School Juniors
$35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest
$2000 May-Job Cash Vibes Scholarship
$5000 Christian College Scholarship

The Summer of Opportunity or the Summer of Regret? + 8 Scholarships

Multiple surveys indicate that people with student loan debt regret taking out the loans.
A 2026 ScholarshipOwl survey of over 12,000 students found that 71% of those who already hold debt regret the decision, with concerns centered on unaffordable monthly payments and economic uncertainty.
A 2022 Givling survey reported that 63% of borrowers regret taking out student loans.
A 2024 Ramsey Solutions study found that 53% of student loan borrowers regret going into debt.
Other polls show varying levels of regret, with NerdWallet (2024) reporting that 36% regret the amount borrowed, and WalletHub noting that 61% of college students regret how much they borrowed.
If you are reading this, then I likely don’t need to convince you that avoiding student loans is preferable. But there is another regret that many families tell me they have, even families who have avoided crippling levels of student loan debt: They wish they had started the scholarship process earlier.
Next week, I’m sharing an interview with a mom and student who earned a full-tuition scholarship. Despite such success with scholarships, they even said that they wish they had started the scholarship process sooner.
Likewise, Victoria and her mom told me the same thing in an interview last year, even though she earned a full-tuition scholarship, as well as enough in outside scholarships to cover room and board.
I, too, feel the same way, even though my son earned 23 outside scholarships, and we paid only $1500 for his college degree, tuition, room, board, books, and fees included. I wish he had started applying for scholarships before his junior year of high school, as I am convinced he would have won even more scholarships.
Unfortunately, learning how to have success with scholarships tends to get put on the back burner, especially during the school year. And I get it. Students are busy. That is why summer offers one of the greatest opportunities to kick-start your student’s scholarship journey, and why I’m so excited to offer the Scholarship Summer Camp again this year!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.
Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!
But the Scholarship Summer Camp is designed in a way so that your student doesn’t have to give up their summer. Lessons and brief, yet impactful and actionable.
Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.
On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.
Here’s the agenda:
Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You
Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)
Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!
This year, I’m offering two different start dates for the Scholarship Summer Camp. Our first session begins on June 1st, and the second session begins on July 27th.
So, when school starts again in the fall, how do you want to look back on this summer? As a time of regret, wishing your student had learned the scholarship process, or as a time when their successful scholarship journey began?
To jumpstart your student’s scholarship journey, click here to learn more and register for the Scholarship Summer Camp today.
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Of course, the goal is to graduate from college with zero student debt. So, before taking any student loans, make sure your student is applying for every scholarship for which they are eligible. Remember, students can apply for scholarships throughout their time in college. This free guide on earning scholarships while in college explains where to find scholarships, has best practices for applications, and more.
Beyond applying for as many scholarships as possible, complete the FAFSA each year. This may open grant and work-study options, as well as federal student loans. The federal student loans that the FAFSA opens for students usually have the best interest rates and terms, and do not need a cosigner. However, for the vast majority of students, the lifetime limit they can borrow is $31,000 ($5500 for year 1, $6500 for year 2, $7500 for years 3 and 4).
If more funds are needed, the private student loan market is one option for funding the student’s remaining balance. In most cases, parents/guardians will have to co-sign for these loans. There are several private student loan companies out there. My favorite, however, is Juno.
Juno is a group of more than 200,000 students and parents who work together to make lenders reduce the cost of student loans. You can join for free to access their deals and prepare for future payments. It takes less than a minute to join, and there is no fee or obligation.
To recap:
Step 1: Ensure your student is applying to as many scholarships as possible to reduce the cost of college.
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA to get access to federal student loans, as well as grants and work-study, if eligible.
Step 3: Compare the best rates and terms for additional student loans from various providers, including Juno.
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Featured Scholarships:
Kramer Law $1000 Safety First Scholarship
$500 Odenza Vacations College Scholarship
$10,000 American Lawyers Alliance Scholarship
$1000 Altruism + Good Deeds Scholarship
$5000 Christian College Scholarship
$2,000 Protestant Faith-Based College Scholarship
$2,000 Catholic College Scholarship
$50,000 ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship

Start Your College Essay & Scholarship Prep Today! + 6 Scholarships

Applying to college isn't just about submitting applications in senior year.
It starts with months or even years of preparation, which many families are caught off guard by once their teen becomes a rising senior.
But don't worry. We are here to give you some tips and tricks to reduce the stress and confusion that can come from having all the information thrown at parents at once.
Knowing how to write college admissions essays and how to find scholarship opportunities before things get too busy allows you to take some work off your plate now, making everything more manageable later.
College essay expert Dr. Kellie Coppi and Dave “The Scholarship Coach” Peterson share actionable steps that your Class of 2027, 2028, and even 2029 students can take this spring and beyond to make their college admissions journey less stressful and more successful.
Two College Prep Programs - One Low Price
Get access to the Scholarship GPS Course and the Writing the College Admissions Essay Course for one low price!
Writing the College Admissions Essay
This self-paced course will take you through 9 lessons, both introducing you to the purpose of an admissions essay and how to properly craft one. Whether you’re looking to write a Common App essay, essay for any other submission platform, a UC PIQ, or a supplemental essay, this course will ensure that your written submission fulfills the character-driven requirements for any admissions submission. With the structure and support offered, you also have a course at your disposal that can be used for students submitting in future college-bound cycles, as well!
With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi is a college admissions essay expert. Dr. Coppi’s background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays.
Dr. Coppi’s College Admissions Essay course normally sells for $175, but with this special offer, you get BOTH the Scholarship GPS course and the College Admissions Essay course for one low price!
Scholarship GPS
The Scholarship GPS self-paced video course allows you to learn at your own pace. Throughout the course, you’ll acquire essential scholarship skills, including:
How to identify the best scholarships based on your student’s unique profile
Tips and best practices for scholarship applications, essays, and projects
The importance of crafting your student’s Personal Narrative, a key element in winning scholarships
Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as:
A scholarship tracking tool preloaded with quick and easy no-essay scholarships for immediate application
A scholarship checklist template to ensure completion of applications
Examples of scholarship-winning essays
The Scholarship GPS course normally sells for $197, but with this special offer, you get BOTH the College Admissions Essay course and the Scholarship GPS course for one low price!
Get lifetime access to BOTH the Writing the College Admissions Essay course AND Scholarship GPS for the low price of just $147! Click here to take advantage of this limited-time offer: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegeprepbogo
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Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Review It Scholarship
Constituting America "We the Future" Contest
$2500 Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship
$1000 Veliz and Associates Right Mindset Scholarship
$2026 No Essay Scholarship from ScholarshipOwl
$10,000 Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship
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Did you know that you can appeal your financial aid offer?
In fact, colleges expect you to do so.
However, it’s important to submit your financial aid appeal correctly.
That is why I’m so happy to share with you the FREE Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator.
The Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator is completely FREE, takes just 5 minutes, provides you with a custom letter for your student based on their unique circumstances, and gives you a list of documents you can use to support your appeal.
So, don’t delay! Click here to start your financial aid appeal today!