Student loan debt is an overwhelming reality for students and parents of all backgrounds. 

For high school juniors and seniors, the excitement of graduating and taking the next step into college is often tempered by the terrifying knowledge of what that education is likely to cost. The good news is that there are great options for students who excel in high school math to reduce that debt. Math and STEM scholarships can be a saving grace for students making the transition to college.

Searching for and applying for those scholarships, though, can be intimidating. We want to make the scholarship process a little easier. We’ve done the research to give you a head start. Here’s our advice on how to search for the right math scholarships.

Fill Out The FAFSA

This one’s a no-brainer. The FAFSA is the free application for financial aid accepted by just about every college in the country. Eligibility will be based on a number of different factors, including last year’s parental income. We urge all students to fill out the FAFSA, even if they think their family won’t qualify, as many merit-based scholarships still require a current FAFSA.

Start Researching Early, And Apply To Multiple Scholarships

Scholarship applications can take up a good portion of time during a student’s senior year, so start early! Try not to cram everything in at the last minute. Keep track of deadlines to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities, and give yourself the time you’ll need to gather transcripts, write essays, and request letters of recommendation. You can start applying for many scholarships in your junior year of high school, and some scholarships can be applied for as early as the sophomore year.

Know Where To Look

While it may feel easier to open up the computer and search the web for scholarships, students are actually far more likely to receive financial aid from sources closer to home. Communities care about their students; all you need to know is where to look and who to ask...

Read the rest of the article on the Mathnasium Number Sense Blog.

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