Applying to college can be confusing, and too many students don’t get the guidance they need. The College Board has launched a new scholarship program with $5 million of scholarships each year. It started with the class of 2020 and is open now for the class of 2021. Click here for more..
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships encourage students to take the most important actions on the path to college and turns their efforts into scholarships. The College Board is making a $25 million investment over five years. Half of the funds will go to students who need it the most, but anyone can apply.
The key steps are: (1) Build a college list; (2) Practice for the SAT®; (3) Improve SAT scores; (4) Strengthen the college list; (5) Complete the FAFSA, the free government form to apply for financial aid; (6) Apply to colleges. Completing each step will earn students a chance for a scholarship ranging from $500 to $2,000; completing all six steps will earn them a chance for $40,000 for their college education. Each year, 25 students will win the $40,000 Complete Your Journey scholarship for completing all six steps.
This isn’t your typical scholarship program. It doesn’t require an essay or an application, and it doesn’t have a minimum GPA or SAT score requirement. Students don’t have to be at the top of the class, students have to show that they are willing to work hard to take the necessary steps to get to college.
More than 500,000 students from all 50 states have joined the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program since it launched in December 2018. In addition to the 25 $40,000 Complete Your Journey winners, nearly 4,000 students from 48 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, earned $3.6 million in scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000. Completing specific steps helps clarify the complex college planning process, especially for low-income and first-generation students.
