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

Leveraging Math (and Other Subject) Competitions For College Prep + 6 Scholarship Opportunities

I recently spoke with Vida John of Vida John Tutoring. Vida is dedicated to helping motivated students excel in math problem-solving and competition math. She uses the Art of Problem Solving curriculum to help students understand, develop, and use their problem-solving techniques for math success!
In our conversation, Vida and I discussed:
Some of the  not-so-obvious benefits of participating in math competitions
Similar competitions or organizations for students interested in things besides math, like history, writing, or other academic pursuits
How participating in these types of organizations or competitions helps when it comes to college admissions
A unique scholarship opportunity
To connect with Vida, go to vidajohntutoring.com
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Did you know that when our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them in medical and financial emergencies?
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 at Mama Bear Legal Forms.
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
Gen and Kelly Tanabe Think About Your Future Scholarship (You can order the Tanabe's fantastic scholarship book here)
$2500 Build a Better Future Scholarship
$1500 “First Step” to Distraction-Free Driving Scholarship
World's Only Minecraft Scholarship
$1000 Conflict Conquerer Scholarship
CollegeXpress No Essay Scholarship
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It’s not too late to join the Scholarship Summer Camp. Click here to get started today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

Internships Can Build a Student's Personal Narrative + 6 Featured Scholarships

Many students want to pursue an internship, but struggle to find one that aligns with their interests. That’s where Ladder Internships comes in. I recently spoke with Rachel Berkower of Ladder Internships.
In our conversation, we discussed:
What kind of students are the best fit for Ladder Internships
The types of internships that are available
How Ladder Internships help students in their college application and beyond
And much more…
To learn more about Ladder Internships, click here: https://www.ladderinternships.com/
Be sure to tell them you heard this interview to save 10%!
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Did you know that when our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them in medical and financial emergencies?
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 at Mama Bear Legal Forms.
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 KB Delta College Scholarship
$1500 Financial Empowerment Scholarship
$2000 GeneTex Scholarship
$2000 Office Chairs Unlimited Scholarship
$2000 HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarship
$5000 Christian College Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

Finding Your Voice For Your College Admissions Essays + 5 Scholarship Opportunities

I recently spoke with Maggie Finn and Jacklyn Angell of Summit Academic Support.
In our conversation, we discussed:
The biggest mistake students make when writing their college essays—and how they can avoid it.
How students can make their college essay stand out, even if they don’t have a “dramatic” story to tell
Common myth about college essays.
How students can find their unique voice when writing their essays.
Some of Maggie and Jacklyn’s favorite transformation stories of working with students.
What should families look for when choosing someone to help with college essays.
To connect with Maggie and Jacklyn, go to https://www.summitacademicsupport.com/
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I have long said that scholarships give students and parents freedom. But, scholarships also give them power. It’s never too early to begin a student’s scholarship journey, and it’s only too late if the student has graduated from college. If you would like to begin your scholarship journey, check out the Scholarship Navigator Program for the Class of 2026, or for the Class of 2027, or for the Class of 2028. Go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services to find the right program for your student.
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 DRS Gabe Jenks Memorial Scholarship
$2500 Mesothelioma Cancer Victims Memorial Scholarship
$1000 Footsteps to Your Future Fall Scholarship
$1000 Law Office of Philip R. Nathe Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

Building Your College List with Steve Tapper + 5 Scholarship Opportunities + Good Friends Don't Always = Good Roommates

I recently spoke with Steve Tapper of Tapper College Counseling.
In our conversation, we discussed:
The workflow that Steve uses to help students through the entire college admissions process.
College list-building strategies and considerations
Types of college fit: academic, social, and financial
Resources for building a college list
To connect with Steve, go to tappercollegecounseling.com. Steve offers 30-minute complimentary meeting and works with families across the US.
Steve is sharing his college planning chart for grades 9-12. You can download the chart for free here: https://www.tappercollegecounseling.com/home#chart
Steve is so in demand that his Class of 2026 cohort is filled. However, Steve is taking new students for the Class of 2027 and after.
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Click here to read "Good Friends Don’t Necessarily Make Good Roommates" by Karen Dentler
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Scholarships for the Classes of 2028 and 2029!
Starting your scholarship journey as a high school freshman or sophomore provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers - I’ve had freshmen win $2500 scholarships and sophomores win $5000 scholarships!
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Scholarship Navigator Program for High School Freshmen and Sophomores
This program includes:
Monthly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2028 or Class of 2029 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with up to three scholarship applications & essays each month. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list. (Please allow three business days for feedback on your scholarship essays, projects, and applications.)
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more.
To learn more, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/scholarship-navigator-for-high-school-freshmen-sophomores
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Crowder Law Firm Scholarship
$5000 Hearts for Community Scholarship
$1000 Elite Lawyer Scholarship
$1000 Video Scholarship
Appily Easy Money No-Essay Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

Scholarship Student Spotlight: Isabella + 6 Scholarship Opportunities, Including One for Students in Grades 6-12!

Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp.
Your student will learn the skills needed 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.
This online program provides both on-demand and live learning opportunities. Best of all your student will apply for real scholarships during the course of the camp! In fact, your student will apply for scholarships offering more than $40,000 in potential winnings!
The Scholarship Summer Camp starts June 2, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks. Here’s an overview of what will be covered each week:
Week 1: The Basics: The tools, documents, and resources you need for scholarship success.
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative: Learn how to build your Personal Narrative, a key component for scholarship success.
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You: Learn where to look and how to determine which scholarships are the best ones to apply for.
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!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Click here to register today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 MyBioSource Inc. Scholarship for STEM Majors
$1000 Supporting STEM Scholarship
$1500 SAR Youth Video Contest (For Grades 6-12)
$1000 Educational Scholarship
$2000 Zac Zolin Scholarship
$1000 Double A Solutions Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

A Free College Planning App + 5 New Scholarships

I recently spoke with Sam Bernstein, co-founder of Loper, a free mobile app designed to help students explore and discover their best educational opportunities after high school. The inspiration for Loper came out of the pandemic, where “life on pause” led to two college friends (Sam and his co-founder Eric) spending long nights discussing their shared passion: education. Fast forward two years and they quit their jobs to launch Loper, which has now helped nearly 200,000 students find best-fit opportunities after high school.
Since founding Loper Sam has spoken at nearly a dozen industry conferences, and he always loves the opportunity to present to both students and parents on college and career readiness. Sam lives in Chicago, loves to bike, and (so far) has kept up with his 2025 resolution to read more fiction.
In our conversation, Sam and I discussed:
How students can use the Loper app to discover their best fit college
How parents can use the app to help their student better manage the college planning process
How counselors can use Loper to help their students with the college process
And much more…
To learn more about Loper, go to getloper.com or download the app for free.
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Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp.
Your student will learn the skills needed 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.
This online program provides both on-demand and live learning opportunities. Best of all your student will apply for real scholarships during the course of the camp! In fact, your student will apply for scholarships offering more than $40,000 in potential winnings!
The Scholarship Summer Camp starts June 2, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks. Here’s an overview of what will be covered each week:
Week 1: The Basics: The tools, documents, and resources you need for scholarship success.
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative: Learn how to build your Personal Narrative, a key component for scholarship success.
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You: Learn where to look and how to determine which scholarships are the best ones to apply for.
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!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Click here to register today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Safe Driving Scholarship
$1000 Impact on the Community Scholarship
$1000 Altruism + All Good Deeds Scholarship
$1000 MyBioSource Inc. Scholarship for All Majors
$2000 TikTok vs. Instagram Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Scholarship Student Spotlight: Avery - Advice From a Multiple Scholarship Winner + 6 Scholarships

Avery is a first-year college student who has earned multiple scholarships. She started her scholarship journey when she participated in the Scholarship Summer Camp a few summers ago. This week, Avery shares her tips and suggestions for students on their own scholarship journey.
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Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp.
Your student will learn the skills needed 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.
This online program provides both on-demand and live learning opportunities. Best of all your student will apply for real scholarships during the course of the camp! In fact, your student will apply for scholarships offering more than $40,000 in potential winnings!
The Scholarship Summer Camp starts June 2, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks. Here’s an overview of what will be covered each week:
Week 1: The Basics: The tools, documents, and resources you need for scholarship success.
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative: Learn how to build your Personal Narrative, a key component for scholarship success.
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You: Learn where to look and how to determine which scholarships are the best ones to apply for.
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!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Click here to register today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$2500 What Will Be Your Trademark? Scholarship
$1000 Abbott & Fenner Scholarship
$2500 How I Make My Community Great Scholarship
$2500 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship
Big Sun Scholarship for Athletes
Weekender: $5000 Christian College Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

"Test-Optional is a Lie" + 5 Scholarship Opportunities

I recently spoke with Brian Eufinger of Edison Prep. Brian graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2004 and a Healthcare MBA in 2006. He serves as a founding board member of the National Test Prep Association and is an Associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. More recently, he represents Edison Prep in a consortium of four tutoring companies that created Assessiv, an online digital SAT practice platform that Edison Prep students and students nationwide use.
In our conversation, Brian and I discussed:
Why, in many situations, “Test-Optional” is a lie
How test scores can result in tens of thousands of dollars in merit aid
How Brian supplemented merit aid with private scholarships
The opportunity cost of failing to prepare for standardized tests and applying for scholarships
Why GPA is ‘sacred’
Merit Aid Grids - the easy-to-use, free website to find out how much your student can receive in scholarships based on their GPA and test score
And much more…
To connect with Brian and learn about their approach to SAT and ACT Prep, and to get a special discount, click here: https://edisonprep.com/scholarshipgps/
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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, ScholarshipCoach, to take 20% off the total price at Mama Bear Legal Forms: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=44
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Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp.
Your student will learn the skills needed 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.
This online program provides both on-demand and live learning opportunities. Best of all your student will apply for real scholarships during the course of the camp! In fact, your student will apply for scholarships offering more than $40,000 in potential winnings!
The Scholarship Summer Camp starts June 2, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks. Here’s an overview of what will be covered each week:
Week 1: The Basics: The tools, documents, and resources you need for scholarship success.
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative: Learn how to build your Personal Narrative, a key component for scholarship success.
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You: Learn where to look and how to determine which scholarships are the best ones to apply for.
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!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Click here to register today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contests
$10,000 Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship Scholarship
$1000 Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship
$1000 Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

Six Scholarships + How to Protect The Second-Largest Investment You Will Ever Make

I had the opportunity to talk with Peyton Rudolph, Vice President of Marketing for GradGuard. In our conversation, Peyton explained how GradGuard helps students and parents protect one of the largest investments of their lives. Plus, she shared the details of their news scholarship with us, in which five students will each earn $3000! Learn more about GradGuard here: https://gradguard.sjv.io/c/4021661/2331223/29624?trafsrc=affiliate
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Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp.
Your student will learn the skills needed 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.
This online program provides both on-demand and live learning opportunities. Best of all your student will apply for real scholarships during the course of the camp! In fact, your student will apply for scholarships offering more than $40,000 in potential winnings!
The Scholarship Summer Camp starts June 2, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks. Here’s an overview of what will be covered each week:
Week 1: The Basics: The tools, documents, and resources you need for scholarship success.
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative: Learn how to build your Personal Narrative, a key component for scholarship success.
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You: Learn where to look and how to determine which scholarships are the best ones to apply for.
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!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Click here to register today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Trey Porter Law Scholarship
$1500 GrassRoots Turf Scholarship
$2500 Terry Bryant Scholarship
National Video Game Museum Scholarships
$3000 GradGuard Scholarship
$1000 No-Essay Appily Weekender Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Saving, Budgeting, and Paying for College + A Scholarship Open to Elementary, Middle School, High School, and College Students + 5 Other Scholarships

I recently spoke with Suzanne Scullion. Suzanne is the Head Coach of G.R.A.C.E. Financial Coaching. Over the past ten years, she has helped hundreds of clients reprioritize their spending, pay down debt, and master their income without dismantling their lifestyle. Suzanne also hosts a podcast and YouTube show called, “Lessons Learned: The Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Done with Money.”
In our conversation, Suzanne and I discussed:
What to do when your student is headed to college soon and you haven’t saved enough to pay for it
What to do when you have a young child and you want to start planning for college
Changes in 529 college savings plans that you need to know about
Alternatives to 529 plans for college savings
How scholarships can fit into a plan to pay for college, including more than just tuition
The need for parents to protect their kids from their lack of understanding on the dangers of student loans
And much more…
To connect with Suzanne and learn how she works with her clients, go to gracefinancialcoaching.com
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We know sending your student off to college is equal parts exciting and anxiety-producing; both for you and for them. Cards2College series of cards was created to allow you to pour your words of wisdom into your student one weekly card at a time. Each card has an inspirational quote and motivational message on one side, leaving the other side of the card for your weekly words! We know how busy life gets, so they’ve automated the process for you. When the intention is there, but the time isn’t, Cards2College can help! Click here to learn more.
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Back by popular demand for Summer 2025!
Start your scholarship journey this summer with the Scholarship Summer Camp!
Your student will learn the skills needed 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.
This online program provides both on-demand and live learning opportunities. Best of all your student will apply for real scholarships during the course of the camp! In fact, your student will apply for scholarships offering more than $40,000 in potential winnings!
The Scholarship Summer Camp starts June 2, 2025, and runs for 6 weeks. Here’s an overview of what will be covered each week:
Week 1: The Basics: The tools, documents, and resources you need for scholarship success.
Week 2: Your Personal Narrative: Learn how to build your Personal Narrative, a key component for scholarship success.
Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You: Learn where to look and how to determine which scholarships are the best ones to apply for.
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!
The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Click here to register today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp and save $30 with coupon code PODCAST
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Review It Scholarship
$1000 Momentrix Scholarship
$1000 College is Power Scholarship
$1000 Access to Education Scholarship
We the Future Contest (For Elementary, Middle School, High School and College Students)
CollegeXpress Favorite TV Show Scholarship
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/