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Extra Entries Based on Family Income

Students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year have more chances to earn scholarships.

BigFuture Scholarships are open to all students but half of all awards are reserved for students who qualify as lower-income. Any student can either automatically qualify or self-identify that they qualify as lower income, if any of these apply:

  • Received or used a fee waiver from College Board for one of our assessments
  • Attends a high school where 75% or more of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch
  • Annual family income is less than $60,000

If you do not automatically qualify as low-income but your family earns $60,000 or less annually, please self-identify by completing the following steps:

  1. Login to your BigFuture Dashboard
  2. If you are currently eligible for BigFuture Scholarships, you will see a module at the top with your current entries and a link that reads: Earn Double Entries
  3. Click that link and complete the brief form 

FAQ

Does my family income affect my chances?

 

Each time a student completes a step, they automatically earn one entry into the monthly scholarship drawing for a $40,000 and $500 scholarship. Students who qualify as lower income earn two entries to each monthly scholarship drawing when they complete a step. Students may opt out of the drawings at bigfuturescholarships.org/opt-out.

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How do I automatically qualify for extra entries?

A student automatically qualifies for extra entries when they complete a step to qualify for drawings for BigFuture Scholarships, if they:

  • Have received a fee waiver from College Board for one of our assessments
  • Attend a high school where 75% or more of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch

When a student automatically qualifies for extra entries, there are no further action required for the students.

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How do I self-identify that I qualify for extra entries?

If a student does not automatically qualify for extra entries, they may self-identify that they qualify for extra entries. If the student's annual family income is less than $60,000 or if they qualify for a fee waiver, they should self-identify through this form here. When a student who self-identifies as lower income is selected for a scholarship, they may be asked to verify income using a secure document system.

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Who's eligible for fee waivers?

Students can talk to their school counselor about receiving a fee waiver from College Board, if any of these statements apply to them:

  • You're enrolled in or eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
  • Your annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
  • You're enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., Federal TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
  • Your family receives public assistance.
  • You live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home, or are homeless.
  • You're a ward of the state or an orphan.

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