The Scholarship GPS Podcast: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree

I recently spoke with Erin Edwards of EE College Essays. Erin has been editing people’s essays for nearly twenty years and loves helping students express their unique character and strengths so they can achieve their goals and create opportunities for themselves.

In our conversation, Erin shares:

The six pillars of college application success

The importance of the application essays in gaining admittance into college

How to make your personal statement stand out

The role of parents/guardians in the college essay and application process

Why AI is not a proper tool for writing college admissions essays

The importance of starting early with scholarship applications and essays

You can connect with Erin at EECollegeEssays.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

Today's episode is brought to you by EE College Essays. 

Click here to learn more about the Class of 2025 Scholarship Coaching Program: https://nodebtcollege.teachable.com/p/class-of-2025-scholarship-coaching

Click here to learn more about the Scholarship Coaching Program for High School Freshmen and Sophomores: https://nodebtcollege.teachable.com/p/scholarship-coaching-for-hs-freshman-sophomores

Graduation season will be here before you know it! Celebrate your student’s accomplishments with a custom diploma frame from Church Hill Classics. Take $15 off $100+ orders at https://diplomaframe.com/DaveFrames by using promo code Dave15 at checkout.

Become a Your Daily Scholarship Podast Patron for just $5/month. You will get tips and suggestions for every scholarship featured on the show, bonus content from our expert interviews, and discounts and offers not available to the general public. Go to https://patron.podbean.com/YourDailyScholarship to learn more.

Today's episode is brought to you by EE College Essays. 

Click here to learn more about the Class of 2025 Scholarship Coaching Program: https://nodebtcollege.teachable.com/p/class-of-2025-scholarship-coaching

Click here to learn more about the Scholarship Coaching Program for High School Freshmen and Sophomores: https://nodebtcollege.teachable.com/p/scholarship-coaching-for-hs-freshman-sophomores

Graduation season will be here before you know it! Celebrate your student’s accomplishments with a custom diploma frame from Church Hill Classics. Take $15 off $100+ orders at https://diplomaframe.com/DaveFrames by using promo code Dave15 at checkout.

Become a Your Daily Scholarship Podast Patron for just $5/month. You will get tips and suggestions for every scholarship featured on the show, bonus content from our expert interviews, and discounts and offers not available to the general public. Go to https://patron.podbean.com/YourDailyScholarship to learn more.

I recently spoke with Certified Financial Planner Dan Cieniewicz, aka The College Dude, about the recent changes to the FAFSA and its subsequent mess.

In our conversation Dan shared with us some of the big changes, both positive and negative, that parents need to be aware of, including:

Changes in income and asset calculations

Including retirement savings

How 529 Plans are calculated

How businesses and farms are counted as assets

The elimination of the “multiple student discount”

Student loan options

Retirement planning impacts of paying for college

To connect with Dan, go to TheCollegeDude.com, or email him at [email protected]. You can also find tons of valuable information on Dan’s YouTube channel.

Graduation season will be here before you know it! Celebrate your student’s accomplishments with a custom diploma frame from Church Hill Classics. Take $15 off $100+ orders at diplomaframe.com by using promo code Dave15 at checkout.

I recently spoke with Dr. Lauran Kerr-Heraly, an award-winning educator and author who was homeschooled all the way through high school, which allowed her to develop a deep appreciation for self-directed learning and a passion for helping others to take control of their education. Lauran currently serves as a professor in an American community college, and has developed her program, Altering Course, to empower parents to prepare their kids for college and beyond.

In our conversation, Lauran shares some strategies for students to learn how to better manage their time so that they can succeed in school, and even with scholarships! 

To connect with Lauran, go to alteringcourse.com, or email her at [email protected].

Click here to learn more about Lauran’s course on time management: https://www.alteringcourse.com/time-management

Find out in this free assessment: https://alteringcourse.scoreapp.com/

I recently spoke with Callie Birch of Storyweaver Co about the importance of reading literature and how the craft of writing prepares students for college.

Calli has taught English Literature & Writing in London, England (in a British school), Texas, and Arkansas. She has a BA in English from Abilene Christian University & MA in Humanities (with emphasis in Literature) from University of Texas at Dallas. Calli has 12 years of experience in the classroom and then homeschooled her daughters for 6 years. Now, through her company, Storyweaver Co., Calli is passionate about helping students find and grow their voice.

In our conversation, Calli shared:

Why should teens read classic literature

How can we encourage teens to engage meaningfully with literature

How can we encourage teens to enjoy writing

The English Education skills essential for college readiness

You can connect with Calli at Storyweaver Co or on Instagram

Save 10% off Storyweaver Co.’s College Application Essay Bootcamp with promo code DAVE10

If you have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, and at least one extracurricular that you are passionate about, then you qualify for my Scholarship Coaching for the Class of 2025 Program.

Space is extremely limited, so click here to learn more and sign up today:

https://nodebtcollege.teachable.com/p/class-of-2025-scholarship-coaching

I recently spoke with Aaron Basko about how students can stand out as college applicants.

Higher education leader, speaker, and author Aaron Basko shares his unique insights to help others manage their education, careers, and professional development.

Over his 30-year career, Aaron has led four different colleges to enrollment turnarounds, spoken and taught at a national and international level, and written or been quoted in a wide range of publications, including Forbes, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and The Times Higher Education in the UK.

In our conversation, Aaron discusses:

What makes a college applicant stand out

Advice for picking the admissions essay topic

Tips for an admissions interview

His book, The Homeschool College Planner: A Brief Guide for Homeschooling Parents

You can connect with Aaron on Facebook and Instagram or by email: [email protected]

If you have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, and at least one extracurricular that you are passionate about, then you qualify for my Scholarship Coaching for the Class of 2025 Program.

Space is extremely limited, so click here to learn more and sign up today:

https://nodebtcollege.teachable.com/p/class-of-2025-scholarship-coaching

Today's episode is brought to you by Storyweaver Co. Save 10% off the College Application Essay Bootcamp with promo code DAVE10

To learn more about Dave Walker's unique approach to SAT and ACT prep, go to: https://quizhacker.substack.com/

To enjoy ad-free podcasts, Dave's tips and suggestions for every featured scholarship, and special discount offers, become a Podcast Patron for as little as $5/month. Go to https://patron.podbean.com/YourDailyScholarship to learn more.

I recently spoke with Stephanie Steckel, DDS, MS about public speaking.

Stephanie Steckel, DDS, MS, practiced as a general dentist for 5 years before returning to specialty school to become a Board-certified Orthodontist. Over the following 23 years, she helped thousands of patients gain the benefits of a healthier, happier smile. Stephanie is the author of, Crooked to Straight: Your Roadmap to Your Best Smile.

Stephanie is also part of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person.

In our conversation, Stephanie shared:

Some tips for public speaking

Information about Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

Information about her book, Crooked to Straight: Your Roadmap to Your Best Smile

Many scholarships include interviews as part of their application process. For example, the Cameron Impact Scholarship, a FULL TUITION scholarship currently open to high school juniors in the Class of 2025, conducts interviews of finalists.

Click here to learn more about today's featured scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/publish/post/141621054?back=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fscheduled

Click here to become a Your Daily Scholarship Podcast Patron: https://patron.podbean.com/YourDailyScholarship