6 Steps to Help You Plan for College and Career and Win a BigFuture Scholarship
College planning can feel overwhelming—between choosing colleges, figuring out careers, and thinking about how to pay for it all. But what if doing those exact things could also give you a chance to win scholarships—sometimes as much as $40,000?
That’s exactly what BigFuture Scholarships are all about. There are no essays, no GPA requirements, and no test scores needed. All you do is take the same simple steps you’d already be doing to get ready for life after high school—and each step you finish enters you into monthly drawings.
These steps aren’t just for scholarships, they help you figure out what you want after high school and how to get there. Let’s break them down:
✅ To do: Start Your Career List
You don’t have to have your dream job figured out yet. Just browse some careers that sound cool or exciting. Save at least three. There are nearly 1,000 profiles to explore. You might be surprised by what catches your eye and how it helps shape your path after high school.
Opens: December of Sophomore Year
? Start adding to your career list
✅ To do: Start Your College List
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly where you want to go yet. This is just a starting point. Log in to BigFuture.org, explore from over 4,000 two-and four-year college options, and add at least three that might be a good fit to your list. Taking this step helps you start thinking about your future.
December of Sophomore Year
? Start adding to your college list
✅ To do: Start Your Scholarship List
Money is a big factor when it comes to college planning. Use Scholarship Search on BigFuture.org to find opportunities that fit you; there are over 29,000 scholarships to explore. Save at least three scholarships to your list. Every dollar counts and this gets you one step closer.
Opens: July before Senior Year
?Start adding to your scholarship list
✅ To do: Strengthen Your College List
Now that you’ve started your list, take a closer look. Does it have a mix of reach, match, and safety schools? A balanced list gives you more options and a better chance of getting in. It also puts you in the running for more scholarships.
Opens: July before Senior Year
? Start strengthening your college list
✅ To do: Apply to Colleges
You’ve done the research. Now it’s time to apply. Submit applications to at least two colleges. It’s a big move. but you’re more ready than you think. And just by doing this, you’re eligible for another scholarship entry.
Opens: October of Senior Year
? Start applying to colleges
✅ To do: Complete the FAFSA
Financial aid is a big part of making college possible. Every student should consider submitting the FAFSA®. Log in to BigFuture.org to confirm your submission. This step opens the door to federal and institutional aid and more chances to win scholarships.
Opens: October of Senior Year
? Confirm your FAFSA is completed
Real Students Are Winning. You Could Be as Well.
Thousands of students across the country are winning BigFuture Scholarships. Some get $500. Some get $40,000. They’re students just like you, taking the next step toward their future.
You don’t have to do it all at once. Just start. Log in, take one step, and then another. You’ve got this.