High School Seniors - how to get started!

I apparently don't know how to type this out succinctly. I put way too much in here to read at once, so read as you need the information. It's not meant to overwhelm, but I see how it could come across as a ton. 

The ACT dates are listed on the website. You'll want to take it a few times. The last chance is usually Sept or Dec of Senior year as most schools want the best one on file by Dec. scholarship due dates. Be mindful of the school's deadlines for getting it for merit scholarships.

September is Free College Application Month for many schools across TN (not KY). The 2024 toolkit should give you an idea on the schools usually on the list, but they'll upload a new one by Sept 1 each year. Once you apply be sure to send your transcripts. Some schools do it from orderatranscript, but check with guidance on what they say for your school.

October is usually when you'd fill out the FAFSA. FAFSA  is the application for the Tennessee Hope and Tennessee Promise Scholarship. I read Hope as a 21 ACT needed, but it says OR 3.0 GPA. Don't count it out. The student will create their own ID and after they do that the parent will create their own ID. They'll have a week for pushing it as they want all seniors to do it. The past few years the date has been all over the place for when it's due, but they say the earlier you fill it out the better. There are a published list of state deadlines you will want to reference.

TN Scholarships are determined after FAFSA is filled out. The students create their own username / password. https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/tsac-student-portal.html
TN promis is for the 2 year free colleges (TCAT, Community college) and they'll push all the kids to do this too in case their plans change.

You will know your FAFSA is complete when the student gets an SAI number in their email. This is the number that the colleges will use to determine what financial aid packages they can offer each year. You must fill this out each year you intend to take a loan or try to win a scholarship.

You can search out your own college's department scholarships. College merit scholarships are assessed when they apply. Whatever colleges you're looking for, go to their site and look up merit scholarships for Freshmen.

Locals are going to be the best, followed by ones that are specific to degree or major. Also ones offered at the specific college departments. I've searched for scholarships on facebook in general and had good luck with ones that say Tennessee in them. 

It's advisable to make a new email address for scholarships so you don't get too much spam. I have a shared email that I use for scholarships only (one for each kid) and we both have the password and I check it way more than they do; however, once they graduate college I'll just delete that email address.

Run your essays through Grammarly. The free version works well. Try to start your essay with a hook and always pay attention to the prompt, the word count requirement, and the scholarship requirements. Also, once you have a few basic essays you can re-use them.  At some Tennessee schools private scholarships can stack with merit aid and overages come back to the kid which is good to pay for books and stuff, ask the specific school you're interested in for their policy.

 Look for things that sets you (or your student) apart from others. Also, look for scholarships that not as many people would qualify for. Your major, special circumstances such as first generation college student, heritage / ethnicity, geographic location, hobbies, where you volunteer, your church, your civic organizations, ones for TN, ones from your family's work, old high school or college alumni organizations your family may belong to, ones in your major, etc. Google your chosen major and scholarships. Google companies that they may work for one day and their scholarships. Spend some time looking to see what you can find. Use the word Tennessee or your local city or county in the searches, too. Professional organizations in the area you're looking to work in one day.

Do have some community service and try to be well rounded. An academic resume is a good thing to create to hilight their accomplishments and work experience.

Once you get merit aid in, you can ask for more. Especially in a private school situation.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScholarshipHelpCollegeTalk has a template on their facebook group. 

Sorry that's drinking from the water hose a bit. That's a lot to start off with, you got this! Once you feel like you're ready to apply for external scholarships head over to my page about how to find scholarships.

I also have some more resources and tips for housing and more over on the resources page.