| Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an oval | | | | win the very first time. |
| table. Forms were piled into 50 boxes. Each one had | | | | If you are a junior or senior in high school, go for it. |
| the name of a state. I looked at the boxes and | | | | But remember, your chances to win increase with |
| wondered why some of them were overflowing and | | | | every ompleted application. You should start College |
| others had just a few. This was the first round of | | | | Scholarship Planning even if there is a chance your |
| judging. By the time the contest was over almost | | | | child may decide not to go to college. But if the |
| 16,000 applications would be examined. Some of the | | | | decision is yes, you will have everything in place. And |
| comments were really critical, "Why did this person | | | | the planning experience is more than filling out a few |
| bother to send in an application? It's so sloppy." "This | | | | applications. |
| person put the wrong address on the envelope, even | | | | Another common concern is assuming your family |
| though the correct one is at the top of the | | | | income is too high to win scholarships. Fact: 80% of |
| application." One had a cassette tape inside. We | | | | all scholarships are need based and income related, |
| played it and it was a country song. The applicant | | | | but 20% are not. This means millions of dollars are still |
| was a good musician. | | | | available. It makes good solid financial sense to make |
| That was twelve years ago, and many people still do | | | | an effort to win scholarship money regardless of |
| not know or realize that College Scholarship Planning | | | | income. |
| could reduce or totally eliminate college financial debt. | | | | You should start College Scholarship Planning even if |
| One of the first questions I am always asked | | | | there is a chance your child may decide not to go to |
| is,"When should we start looking?" Then some | | | | college. But if the decision is yes, you will have |
| answer their own question with, "I'll bet we're too | | | | everything in place. And the planning experience is |
| late already huh?" The ideal time is to start is the 8th | | | | worth more than filling out a few applications. |
| grade to freshman year. Good planning starts early, | | | | Always remember, the college cholarship effort is |
| but scholarships are posted monthly, and if you start | | | | truly a family affair. |
| planning early, you have a chance to win big. Many | | | | |