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

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/

A Scholarship for EVERY High School Student with a $35,000 Top Prize and No Minimum GPA Requirement!

Every year, more than half of the students I work with who apply for the Voice of Democracy Scholarship earn prizes through this incredible program.
In today's episode, we will hear from VFW Programs Director, Lynn Rolfe, about this fantastic opportunity. Plus, he shares information about their program for middle school students, Patriots' Pen!
I would love to work with your student on this and their other 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. 
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Is your young person ready to make confident decisions about their college major, training path, or career? Or are they stuck, overwhelmed, or simply unsure what comes next? Click the link to take the 2-minute career readiness quiz to find out if now is the right time for your young person to start exploring their career and college major plans: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx
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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 Entrepreneur Scholarship
$1000 RealtyHop Scholarship
$1000 Achieve Today Scholarship
$1000 Future Educator Scholarship
Dream Vacation Scholarship
$35,000 Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Weekender: $5000 Christian College Scholarship
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Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our 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 proudly 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!
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

College-Level Research for High School Students + 6 Scholarship Opportunities

Did you know that high school students can do college-level research that may actually be published in academic journals? That’s where Horizon comes in. Horizon Academic Research Program was founded in 2016 to give a platform to the world’s best young researchers. Horizon was founded by Columbia University alums with a strong belief in how early access to research can shape the lives of future leaders. Over the last 8 years, Horizon has worked with 1000+ students and 100+ instructors from over 30 countries.
I spoke with Dr. Sarah Carlo, Program Director at Horizon. In our conversation, we discussed:
The benefits of doing academic research as a high school student
How college-level research differs from most “research” done at the high school level
The types of research opportunities open to high school students
How a research project can help with college admissions and scholarships
And much more…
Click here to learn more about Horizon, and be sure to tell them you heard this interview to get a discount! https://horizoninspires.com/
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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:
Driver Education Initiative Award Scholarship
$1000 GBV Service Scholarship
$1000 Care Throughout the Ages Scholarship
$1000 Who Inspires You Scholarship
$1000 Cyberbullying Awareness Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our 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 proudly 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!
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Scholarship Student Spotlight: Multiple Scholarship Winner Macayla + 5 Scholarship Opportunities

Macayla is a first-year college student who has earned multiple scholarships. She jumpstarted her scholarship journey as one of my Class of 2024 scholarship coaching students. Macayla and her mom, Leslie, share their thoughts on how having success with scholarships is a process, the benefits of scholarships beyond the money for college, and much more. Listen to my interview with Macayla and her mom, Leslie, to hear their tips and suggestions for students on their own scholarship journey.
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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:
Underdog Scholarship
$2,000 No Essay Scholarship
Capital Auto Auction STEM Scholarship
$2500 SoFi Scholarship Giveaway
CollegeXpress Scholarship Sweepstakes
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Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our 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 proudly 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!
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Study Skills for High School and College + 6 Scholarship Opportunities

I recently spoke with Katie Azevedo of School Habits. Having taught in both public and private school systems, Katie has seen firsthand how our students are expected to learn, but they are rarely given the tools or strategies to do so.
Since 2006, she has personally coached thousands of students, one-on-one, on standardized tests (SAT/ACT, SSAT, GRE), application essays, study skills, executive functions, and writing and reading instruction.
Katie works with students in grade 6 through graduate school, as well as adults looking to further their work productivity habits.
In our conversation, Katie explains what studying IS and what studying IS NOT. She provides ideas to help students improve their study habits and also discusses how studying in college often differs from the study skills that may have worked in high school. Katie also talks about some of the systems that students need in place to support their study habits. And Katie even tells us about the most overlooked skill that students need for success - and that skill may surprise you!
You can access her free training, How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama, here: https://www.schoolhabitsuniversity.com/freetraining
Finally, please check out Katie’s fantastic podcast, Learn and Work Smarter.
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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 Strong Work Ethic Scholarship
$1500 Flavor of the Month Scholarship
$1000 MoolahSPOT Scholarship
$1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship
$2000 Bachus & Schanker Scholarship
$1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship
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Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our 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 proudly 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!
 
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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/
 

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/