Flickr user Marco Verch
There’s one thing you want to do when applying to scholarships. It’s making sure you’re writing down each award’s deadlines. Knowing when each scholarship is due will help you stay on track and create a schedule. However, you shouldn’t let your applications go down to the wire. There are several benefits in submitting scholarship applications ahead of the actual due date.
Helps You Avoid Last Minute Disasters
Waiting 10 minutes before your scholarship deadline is a good way to have things go wrong. If the internet goes down, your power goes out, or the scholarship’s website crashes, you could miss out. Most organizations don’t allow late submissions, so waiting could mean wasting your work.
There’s also the possibility that you somehow end up with a corrupt file. If you notice the corruption past the deadline, it may be too late to correct. Turning in your application and essay early can help you avoid those last minute disasters.
Keeps You On Schedule
You can absolutely clear up time for more scholarships by getting your applications out of the way early. You shouldn’t stop your search just because you applied to 5 (or 10) scholarships. Keeping on the look out for more can come in handy in the future years. And you may only have time to apply to them if you’re actually getting other applications out of the way.
This is one reason having a scholarship schedule is so important. If you wait too long, you might find yourself having to complete 5 or more applications in one week if deadlines overlap. To avoid drowning in applications, make sure you turn in your application in a timely manner.
Overall, It Lowers Your Stress
Let’s say you have a lot of scholarships to get through or you want to avoid last minute disasters. There’s no doubt that completing your scholarship applications early will lower your stress levels. Knowing the applications are out of the way and completed will help give you peace of mind.
Staying on a schedule also helps you stay positive about application process. If you’re getting overwhelmed, it can be easy to fall further behind and even become discouraged with applying. Keeping on top of your scholarship to-dos will help ensure you’re actually completing them, and not giving up halfway through because you’re stressed.
Benefits of Submitting Scholarship Applications Early
Junior and senior years for high school students preparing for college are already stressed out. There’s work, college applications, extracurricular activities, SAT/ACT prep, and their actual high school classes. Piled on top of all that are scholarship applications. Managing your time during these busy years can be a game changer. Take time to research, fill out applications, write essays, and turn in your work. Plan ahead and take your time! Turning in your applications early can help you avoid the stress and potential problems procrastination brings.
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| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
