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

A FULL RIDE Scholarship for the Class of 2027+ Sparking Curiosity and Critical Thinking Skills in Your Student

The Class of 2027 Scholarship Navigator program provides:• Prep to apply for the FULL-RIDE Coolidge Scholarship. Students in the program have the option to participate in a book club/study to prepare to apply for this amazing scholarship opportunity!• Bi-weekly 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 2027 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 scholarship applications & essays. These can be any scholarships of your choice!• 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.Click here to learn more and to register today.
Use the discount code COOLIDGE before October 9, 2025, to receive a special discount.
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Melissa Muir, MAT is the founder and lead teacher at Curio, where she helps families create practical, real-world learning experiences for their children. With a Master’s in Teaching and years of experience in homeschooling, public, private, and online education, and curriculum development, she’s passionate about critical thinking, creative writing, and meaningful discussions. Melissa specializes in interactive, thought-provoking classes that challenge students while keeping learning fun. Whether she’s leading a lively debate or helping kids craft compelling stories, she equips students with the skills they need to think deeply and express themselves confidently.
In our conversation, Melissa and I discussed:
Why critical thinking is such a crucial skill for students today
Ways to spark curiosity in your student
How reading and discussing books together equips students with both academic and real-world skills
The long-term impact on their education and even their future lives when kids grow in critical thinking, curiosity, and communication
And much more…
To connect with Melissa, go to thinkcurio.com.
Read Melissa’s article on the overlooked power of teen book clubs.
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Who will be answering your biggest questions about college admissions this year?
🔑 Six experts.
📍 One place.
💡 Endless answers.
😫 Tired of sifting through thousands of conflicting posts on social media?
🎯 What if you had direct access to experts instead?
🤝 We’ve gathered the top minds in admissions, testing, scholarships, essays, and more…
If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, I will be headlining the ACE Network with 5 other AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. As a subscription service that gives you access to gems of personalized information, you can partake in this service for as many months as you’d like at a FRACTION of the cost of what a full-time college admissions advisor would cost.
Click here to learn more.
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
FULL RIDE Coolidge Scholarship
$35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest
Goldstein & Bashner $1000 Combatting Campus Issues Scholarship
$1000 Employment BOOST Scholarship
$2000 Boyk Law Veteran Scholarship
$2000 Smarter College Better Financial Future Scholarship
$1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship

Scholarships for High School & College Students + How to Help Your Student Become a Lifelong Learner

I recently spoke with Kami Wanous, the creator of the Raising Leaders Roadmap and a homeschool mentor. A credentialed teacher with over seven years in public education and homeschooling since 2008, she draws on her background in English, leadership, and freedom principles to guide families toward meaningful learning. Kami helps homeschool parents create a culture that inspires a lifelong love of learning—equipping them to mentor with confidence and raise passionate leaders who make an impact in the world. She has been featured on CBS News and as a guest writer and speaker for homeschooling conventions, blogs, magazines, podcasts, and YouTube channels.
In our conversation, Kami and I discussed:
What it means to be a lifelong learner
What a lifelong learner looks like
Why being a lifelong learner is important for our kids headed to college
Whether students can be "successful" in college without being lifelong learners
How parents help our kids become lifelong learners
And much more…
Here are all of the ways you can connect with Kami:
Website: TheFreedomScholar.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFreedomScholar
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefreedomscholar
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtJpXKtndYS9rrP98KcvDEw
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kami-wanous-14117723a
Podcast: Homeschool Success with Kami Wanous
Click here to get the Freedom Scholar Love of Learning Launch Pad. Make learning time exciting—for you and your kids! Launch into joyful, lifelong learning!
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Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major.
In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson will explain how students who make intentional, well-informed major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table.
You’ll also hear insights from our moderators, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley, hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss:
✅How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes
✅What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out
✅When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up
✅Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid
This is a live, interactive session—we’ll take your questions during the event and offer expert guidance you can act on right away.
Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. Click here to register: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/scholarships-majors
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 DP Law Encouraging Diversity Scholarship
$1000 Karin Riley Porter Good Works Scholarship
$2500 Money Metals/Sound Money Defense League Gold-Backed Scholarship
$1000 Employment BOOST Scholarship
$35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest
$5000 Christian Connector Scholarship
$1000 Appily No-Essay Scholarship
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Start Your Scholarship Journey Today
I would love to work with your student on their scholarship entries. The Scholarship Navigator Program provides personalized assistance with your student’s scholarship essays. I go through as many rounds of review and feedback as needed. Plus, students get a customized list of scholarships that match their unique profile. These are just some of the benefits of the Scholarship Navigator Program. Go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services to learn more.

$100,000 Scholarship + Mom Shares How Her Daughter Earned 18 Scholarships! + 6 Other Scholarships

I recently spoke with Sarah, whose daughter, Madeline, won 18 scholarships at her senior awards event. Sarah describes their scholarship journey and how they achieved such great success.
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Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major.
In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson will explain how students who make intentional, well-informed major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table.
You’ll also hear insights from our moderators, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley, hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss:
✅How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes
✅What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out
✅When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up
✅Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid
This is a live, interactive session—we’ll take your questions during the event and offer expert guidance you can act on right away.
Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. Click here to register: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/scholarships-majors
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$100,000 Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway
$5000 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity International Essay Contest
$1500 IvyPanda Video Contest Scholarship
$1000 Mediation & Conversations Scholarship
$1500 Shout It Out Scholarship
$5000 Christian Connector Scholarship
$50,000 ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship
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Start Your Scholarship Journey Today
I worked with Sarah and Madeline through the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart your student’s scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With this program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences.
But we don’t stop there! Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach.
Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings.
We offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen.
Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today!

Reducing the Anxiety of College Admissions + 6 New Scholarship Opportunities

I recently spoke with Rachel Fusco, an educator and mental health professional dedicated to transforming the way we prepare young people for adulthood.
Over the past two decades, Rachel has personally supported over a thousand college-bound students in high schools, college access programs, and private admissions consulting. Rachel has shared her expertise as a presenter and trainer for prestigious colleges, private and public high schools, after-school programs, mental health clinics, statewide conferences, and teaches graduate-level counseling courses in Career Counseling, Child and Adolescent Development, and Adolescent Suicidality.
Leveraging her background in college admissions, adolescent development, and education as an independent college coach, Rachel works with teens, parents, and schools to transform the way we prepare young people for college. It’s time to geek out, not stress out, about the future.
In our conversation, Rachel and I discuss:
The impact of brain development on college prep
The need to break down college prep into specific tasks
How self-awareness reduces student stress when it comes to the college application process
Why college prep is stressful and how to reduce the stress
How setting parameters (including financial) in the college search reduces a student’s anxiety
And much more..
To connect with Rachel, visit rachelfusco.com.
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Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major.
In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson will explain how students who make intentional, well-informed major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table.
You’ll also hear insights from our moderators, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley, hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss:
✅How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes
✅What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out
✅When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up
✅Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid
This is a live, interactive session—we’ll take your questions during the event and offer expert guidance you can act on right away.
Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. Click here to register: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/scholarships-majors
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$25,000 NHS Scholarship
$1000 Buckfire Law Disability Scholarship
$2500 Home Depot Path to Pro Construction Careers Scholarship
$1000 Outstanding Citizen Scholarship
$1000 Empowering Others Scholarship
$1000 ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship
$2000 Autumn Apple Choice Award No-Essay Scholarship

These Students Have Earned Over $300,000 in Scholarships! + 6 New Scholarship Opportunities

In this week's episode, you will hear from Talon and his mom, Audria, and Victoria and her mom, Nicole. These students have earned over $300,000 in scholarships (so far)! They share their insights into how they did it, and give inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps.
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Check out the Scholarship Navigator Programs:
For Current College Students
For the High School Class of 2026
For the High School Class of 2027
For High School Freshmen & Sophomores
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If your student is unclear on their future plans, my friend Lisa has a free 2-minute quiz to see if it’s the right time to start planning. ..this quiz is your first step toward helping them launch with clarity and purpose.
What you'll get:
✔️ A clear understanding of your young person’s current stage of career development
✔️ A personalized next step based on where they are now
✔️ FREE access to our Career Clarity Roadmap to move your family forward
So, click here to take the 2-minute career readiness quiz today: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx
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Save $50 off J&J Test Prep’s SAT Intensive program with code SCHOLARSHIPGPS50 at this link only.
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$10,000 Merit Scholarship Program
$2500 Andijar & Levine Community Service Scholarship
$3000 Help to Save Scholarship
$1000 Building Bridges Scholarship
$2000 Autumn Apple Choice Scholarship
$2000 Smarter College Scholarship

What Recent Changes in Student Loans Mean for You + A $25,000 Scholarship for Class of 2026 and College Students

I recently spoke with Luanne Lee, Owner of Your College Planning Coach.
Luanne has undergone extensive licensing and training as a College Financial Planning Specialist and for the past 15+ years has devoted her practice to providing financial education and efficient solutions to families maneuvering through the complex process of planning and funding for college without jeopardizing their retirement goals.
In our conversation, Luanne and I discuss:
The maximum amount of money a student can borrow without their parents (or another cosigner)
Whether the recent changes to student loans will make it easier or harder to get loans
Whether the changes to student loans will lower the cost of college
The importance of applying for outside scholarships early and often
The impact of changes on families with students currently in college
The impact of changes on families with college-bound high school students
How the changes to student loans can leave students without a source to pay for college years 3 and 4
Changes to the repayment structure of student loans (for both existing and new student loans)
And much more…
To connect with Luanne and learn more about how she works with students and families, go to ycpcoach.com.
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Click here to take the free 2-minute career readiness quiz from Launch Career Clarity
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Save $50 off J&J Test Prep’s SAT Intensive program with code SCHOLARSHIPGPS50 at this link only.
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
 
$25,000 Chick-fil-A Community Scholars Program
$1000 Gen and Kelly Tanabe Giving Back Scholarship
$1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship
$2000 Be The Boss Scholarship
Smarter College Scholarship
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Scholarship opportunities don't end at high school graduation.
Click here to get the FREE Scholarship Guide for Current College Students emailed to you: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegescholarships
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Balancing SAT Prep with School, Extracurriculars, and Life + Plus, Critical PSAT and Full-Ride National Merit Scholarship Info + 6 Scholarship Opportunities

I recently spoke with Jackie Pollina of J&J Test Prep and No B.S. SAT® Prep.
In our conversation, Jackie and I discussed:
What the PSAT is, when to take it, and its predictive power for SAT scores
The National Merit Scholarship, and how to qualify for it
Balancing test prep with school, extracurriculars, and life
Recent changes to the SAT and how that affects test prep
How reading improves test scores
And much more…
Jackie has kindly offered my listeners $50 off the Digital SAT® Intensive Course. Use code SCHOLARSHIPGPS50 at checkout at this link: https://www.jjtestprep.com/satintensive-scholarshipgps
She is also offer $25 off the PSAT® Intensive Course. Use code PSATSCHOLARSHIPGPS at checkout at this link: https://www.jjtestprep.com/psatintensive-scholarshipgps
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Scholarship GPS is on Facebook! Join the group that matches your student’s year in school:
Class of 2025
Class of 2026
Class of 2027
Class of 2028
Class of 2029
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To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$2500 Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship
$2500 Leaders Save Lives Scholarship
$2500 Bright Futures Scholarship
$2000 Banks Family Scholarship
$8000 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship
$5000 Christian College Scholarship
$2000 Smarter College A Better Financial Future Scholarship
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Scholarship opportunities don't end at high school graduation.
Click here to get the FREE Scholarship Guide for Current College Students emailed to you: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegescholarships
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Expert Shares College Admission Essay Advice + Full-Ride Scholarship Opportunities for the Class of 2026 & 2027

I recently spoke with Dr. Kellie Coppi of Say Yes to the Ess-ay. With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi provides expert guidance tailored to each student's unique needs. Dr. Coppi's background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays.
In our conversation, Dr. Coppi and I discussed:
Why high-stats students get rejected from colleges
Where Class of 2026 students need to be RIGHT NOW in their college admissions process
Why “good writers” often struggle with college admissions essays
The importance of a college’s culture when deciding where to apply
The importance of admissions essays for students with modest academic records
To connect with Dr. Coppi, go to https://sayyestotheessaywithdrcoppi.com or connect with her on Facebook.
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Scholarship GPS is on Facebook! Join the group that matches your student’s year in school:
Class of 2025
Class of 2026
Class of 2027
Class of 2028
Class of 2029
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To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
Gates Scholarship
QuestBridge Full-Ride Scholarship
Be a Friend Project Scholarship
Make Me Laugh Scholarship
$1000 Appily Easy Money No-Essay Scholarship
$35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest
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Get one-on-one support for your scholarship applications with the Navigator Program!
The Scholarship Navigator Program includes:
Review, feedback, and editing of your scholarships essay.
Access to the Scholarship GPS video course, which includes a lesson on the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship.
A custom list of scholarships for your student to apply for, based on their unique profile.
Online support for your scholarship questions.
Click here to learn more and sign up today:
Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator
Class of 2027 Scholarship Navigator
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

The Proper Use of AI in College Planning and Admissions + A $20,000 Scholarship for the Class of 2026

I recently spoke with Warren Buck of Future Finders. Warren’s background as a teacher and principal informs his work today, helping students with college and career planning.
In our conversation, Warren and I discussed:
The proper use of AI in college planning and essays
How to build a weighted college list that works for your teen
The importance of including your budget in your college planning process
How scholarships can open additional college options
Why high stats are not enough to secure admissions and scholarships, and how to stand out with your applications
Future planning for both college-bound and non-college-bound students
To connect with Warren, go to futurefindersllc.com
Today's video is also available on YouTube.
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To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$20,000 Coca-Cola Scholarship
$4000 10x Digital Marketing Scholarship
$10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Weekender: $1300 CollegeXpress Back-to-School Scholarship
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Get one-on-one support for your scholarship applications with the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program!
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program includes:
Review, feedback, and editing of your scholarships essay.
Access to the Scholarship GPS video course, which includes a lesson on the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship.
A custom list of scholarships for your Class of 2026 student to apply for, based on their unique profile.
Online support for your scholarship questions.
Click here to learn more and sign up today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Research & Mentorship Opportunities for High School Students + Prime Scholarship Season for the Class of 2026 Begins + Scholarships for All High School Students

At RISE, they redefine academic excellence by empowering ambitious students through personalized mentorship and transformative educational opportunities. Recognizing that young scholars need more than traditional learning, they connect them with mentors from Oxbridge and Ivy League colleges. Their tailored programs in research, interview preparation, and academic tutoring nurture curiosity, build essential skills, and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Yash Mundada came through the UK’s grammar school system and later cracked India’s toughest engineering entrance exams. Along the way, he kept noticing a pattern: incredibly talented students were missing out on research opportunities simply because they didn’t have the right access.
That’s why he and his partner started RISE Research.
Click here to learn more about RISE Global Education, and be sure to tell them you heard this interview to get a discount!
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To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$3000 Asbestos.com Scholarship
$5000 Workamajig’s Creative Impact Scholarship
Lumiere Scholars Essay Award
$30,000 Elk's Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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Get one-on-one support for your scholarship applications with the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program!
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program includes:
Review, feedback, and editing of your scholarships essay.
Access to the Scholarship GPS video course, which includes a lesson on the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship.
A custom list of scholarships for your Class of 2026 student to apply for, based on their unique profile.
Online support for your scholarship questions.
Click here to learn more and sign up today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/