The College Board announced a substantial expansion of its BigFuture Scholarships, with an additional $6.5 million and the extension of eligibility through the class of 2030.
“BigFuture’s commitment is to help each and every student take control of their future after high school. BigFuture Scholarships connect exploration with action,” explained Carolina Calkins, College Board’s communications director. Enlace Latino NC .
With this investment, the program surpasses $32 million in support for high school students nationwide, with a special focus on low-income youth and first generation of university studentsSince 2019, more than 24,000 students have received scholarships.
How is it financed?
College Board It is a non-profit organization. According to Calkins, the institution reinvests its income in programs that expand opportunities, including BigFuture.
“We launched the program in 2019 and just announced its expansion to the class of 2030. In total, we will have awarded more than $32 million in scholarships,” he said.
What makes BigFuture different
Unlike other scholarships, BigFuture does not require essays, test scores, or a minimum GPA.
Removing these barriers allows more students, particularly those from low-income families, to compete on a level playing field.
Related: Resources and tools to help you pay for college and continue your higher education
How to participate: six steps
Students enroll and complete planning steps in bigfuture.org Each completed step creates opportunities to win scholarships:
- Start a race list (at least 3 saved options).
- Start a list of universities (at least 3 options).
- Start a list of scholarships (at least 3 options).
- Strengthen the list of universities (minimum: 3 aspirational, 2 fit and 1 safe).
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Apply to universities.
Related: How to fill out the FAFSA without the taxpayer's social security number
Selection: more opportunities for those who need them most
For each step completed, the student receives one entry into the prize draw.
For those with a family income of less than $60,000, each step counts double (two entries), with the goal of giving more opportunities to students with greater economic need.
Two scholarships of $40,000 and hundreds of $500 are awarded monthly.
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Why does it matter
In a context where the university costs While they remain a challenge, BigFuture presents itself as a simple, progressive, and low-threshold way to obtain financial support.
Step-by-step design not only rewards consistency, but also accompanies key decisions (choice of careers, building a list of universities, FAFSA and application) with concrete incentives.
“BigFuture is designed to connect students with real opportunities, without unnecessary barriers,” Calkins said. “The more steps they complete, the more opportunities they will have.”
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