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

Success on the road to college depends as much on what you do during summers as during the school year. If you’re looking to make this summer count, find out everything you need to know about when and how to prep for the important SAT & ACT and submit successful scholarship applications.

In this webinar recording, Mike and I shared timelines for both testing and scholarships to ensure your student maximizes their opportunities to get into and pay for college.

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You heard me make a special offer to the attendees of the webinar for the Scholarship Summer Camp. The first session of the Summer Camp started on June 1st, and unfortunately, it’s too late to join. However, I’ll be running a second session of the Scholarship Summer Camp that starts on July 27th. And, I’d like to offer my listeners the same discount that the webinar attendees got. So, click here, and use discount code WEBINAR before the Summer Camp starts on July 27th to save $20 – making the Camp just $77!

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Talk to REAL students and get the REAL story.

Click here to learn more.

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Featured Scholarships:

Click here for a free list of scholarships for students in Illinois.

Alicia is the founder of College Redefined. She grew up as a homeschooled student. During middle school, she became motivated to find ways to complete her college degree faster while making it cost-efficient at the same time. Through hard work and dedication, she graduated from high school with almost 2 years of college already completed. Upon graduation, she worked full-time as a school teacher for two years while still working on her degree. Alicia is passionate about helping students get an advantage in college by earning some college credits during middle/high school or a gap year. This will allow them to finish college quicker and for less money while strengthening their resume through work experience at a young age.

In our conversation, we discussed:

What students can be working on before they decide on their college major

The best low-cost ways to explore different degrees

The most expensive mistakes undecided students make

Step one for students who feel stuck

And much more…

Alicia and I are teaming up with an amazing offer! Get lifetime access to the Scholarship GPS course, where you and your student will learn:

Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as:

As an added bonus, you’ll get Alicia’s Specialized College Plan, a a personalized strategy designed around your student’s individual strengths, goals, and future career aspirations. Students receive expert guidance tailored specifically to their academic performance, interests, hobbies, learning style, and long-term vision.

Get both programs at the special, limited-time discounted cost of just $147! Visit ScholarshipGPS.com/collegeredefined to learn more and to sign up today!

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Talk to REAL students and get the REAL story. 

Campuswink.com gives students and families direct access to hundreds of current college students nationwide for personalized campus tours and virtual Q&A sessions. Ask the questions official tours won’t answer and get insider insight before stepping on campus.

Choose your school. Choose your Guide. Ask anything.

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Will Your Student Learn the Secrets to Scholarship Success This Summer?

Our Most Popular Program!

The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.

Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!

Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.

On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.

Here’s the agenda:

Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success

Week 2: Your Personal Narrative

Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You

Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!

Click here to learn more and register today.

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Featured Scholarships:

This wasn’t an accident. Teagan was focused on her end goal and took purposeful action throughout high school to set herself up for success.

In our interview, we discussed:

What motivated Teagan to start her scholarship journey

How extracurriculars led Teagan to her full-tuition scholarship as well as her future college major and career path

The process for earning the full-tuition scholarship

The importance of teamwork in the scholarship and college admissions journey

And much more

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The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.

Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!

Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.

On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.

Here’s the agenda:

Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success

Week 2: Your Personal Narrative

Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You

Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!

Click here to register for Session A, which starts June 1st. If the timing doesn’t work for you, click here to check out the B session, which starts July 27th.

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Juno’s team of student loan experts offers guidance on the best approaches to pay for college in this webinar. We’ll cover how to increase your financial aid package, maximize scholarships, and decide between different loan options. Plenty of time will be allotted to questions, so bring yours! Click here to register for this free informational event.

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If your child is turning 18, whether they are going away to college or remaining at home, please consider getting a Power of Attorney in place. You can use my discount code, ScholarshipCoach20, to take 20% off the total price when you use this link: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=44

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The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.

Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!

Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.

On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.

Here’s the agenda:

Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success

Week 2: Your Personal Narrative

Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You

Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!

Session A starts June 1st. If the timing doesn’t work for you, click here to check out the B session, which starts July 27th.

As an added bonus, get Katie Azevedo’s Note-Taking Power System absolutely free (a $47 value) when you sign up for the Scholarship Summer Camp at ScholarshipGPS.com/Katie

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Karen Dentler has over 20 years of experience in higher education. She has held positions in student life and academic administration at Rutgers University, Princeton University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Dentler has her MA in higher education from the University of Michigan and a BA in philosophy from Colgate University. Karen is also the author of the book “Go to Class: How to Succeed at College.” During a recent webinar, Karen shared insider secrets from an experienced higher education professional to help your student thrive in college.

Plus, I shared some tips on how your student can earn scholarships while they are in college.

Karen’s book, “Go to Class: How to Succeed at College,” makes the perfect gift for your college-bound teen. Click here to get your copy today.

The course features concise video lessons designed to seamlessly fit into your busy schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Throughout the course, you’ll acquire essential scholarship skills, including:

How to identify the best scholarships for your student

Best practices for scholarship applications, essays, and projects

The importance of crafting your student’s Personal Narrative -- a key element in winning scholarships

Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as:

A scholarship tracking tool preloaded with quick and easy no-essay scholarships for immediate application

A scholarship checklist template to ensure completion of applications

An activity log to track your student’s volunteer experiences

In addition to the valuable scholarship information, what sets Scholarship GPS apart is the inclusion of bonus lessons from trusted professionals, offering expert insights into college admissions, test preparation, and other crucial aspects of college readiness. By enrolling in this program, you will not only gain valuable information about scholarships but also receive a comprehensive overview of college preparation.

Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your scholarship journey today!

This special, limited-time offer is available only at this exclusive link.

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Featured Scholarships:

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Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, nodebtcollege.substack.com.

In late February, I woke up in the middle of the night and checked my email.

There was a message from Carter telling me that she had been awarded a full-tuition scholarship!

That incredible accomplishment was not luck. It was the result of many months, even years, of focused effort to achieve this goal.

Carter and her mom, Tiffany, were kind enough to talk about their scholarship journey, offering insight and tips based on their experience.

In our interview, we discussed:

What motivated them to start applying for scholarships in the first place

The role that parents can play in the scholarship process

How they stayed motivated through some tough scholarship losses

The importance of a compelling Personal Narrative for scholarship success

What it was like to work with me, Dave the Scholarship Coach

And much more

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Katie is giving you her Note-Taking Power System for free, when you sign up for the Scholarship Summer Camp. Katie’s program is Your teen’s step-by-step system for turning notes into better grades. Plus, in the Scholarship Summer Camp, they will learn the process for earning scholarships by getting guidance to apply for 3 real scholarships. To take advantage of this offer, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/Katie. This offer is not available at any other link, and can not be combined with any other offer or discount.

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Featured Scholarships:

$5000 Christian College Scholarship

Multiple surveys indicate that people with student loan debt regret taking out the loans.

A 2026 ScholarshipOwl survey of over 12,000 students found that 71% of those who already hold debt regret the decision, with concerns centered on unaffordable monthly payments and economic uncertainty.

A 2022 Givling survey reported that 63% of borrowers regret taking out student loans.

A 2024 Ramsey Solutions study found that 53% of student loan borrowers regret going into debt.

Other polls show varying levels of regret, with NerdWallet (2024) reporting that 36% regret the amount borrowed, and WalletHub noting that 61% of college students regret how much they borrowed.

If you are reading this, then I likely don’t need to convince you that avoiding student loans is preferable. But there is another regret that many families tell me they have, even families who have avoided crippling levels of student loan debt: They wish they had started the scholarship process earlier.

Next week, I’m sharing an interview with a mom and student who earned a full-tuition scholarship. Despite such success with scholarships, they even said that they wish they had started the scholarship process sooner.

Likewise, Victoria and her mom told me the same thing in an interview last year, even though she earned a full-tuition scholarship, as well as enough in outside scholarships to cover room and board.

I, too, feel the same way, even though my son earned 23 outside scholarships, and we paid only $1500 for his college degree, tuition, room, board, books, and fees included. I wish he had started applying for scholarships before his junior year of high school, as I am convinced he would have won even more scholarships.

Unfortunately, learning how to have success with scholarships tends to get put on the back burner, especially during the school year. And I get it. Students are busy. That is why summer offers one of the greatest opportunities to kick-start your student’s scholarship journey, and why I’m so excited to offer the Scholarship Summer Camp again this year!

The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.

Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!

But the Scholarship Summer Camp is designed in a way so that your student doesn’t have to give up their summer. Lessons and brief, yet impactful and actionable.

Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released.

On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A.

Here’s the agenda:

Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success

Week 2: Your Personal Narrative

Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You

Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!

This year, I’m offering two different start dates for the Scholarship Summer Camp. Our first session begins on June 1st, and the second session begins on July 27th.

So, when school starts again in the fall, how do you want to look back on this summer? As a time of regret, wishing your student had learned the scholarship process, or as a time when their successful scholarship journey began?

To jumpstart your student’s scholarship journey, click here to learn more and register for the Scholarship Summer Camp today.

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Of course, the goal is to graduate from college with zero student debt. So, before taking any student loans, make sure your student is applying for every scholarship for which they are eligible. Remember, students can apply for scholarships throughout their time in college. This free guide on earning scholarships while in college explains where to find scholarships, has best practices for applications, and more.

Beyond applying for as many scholarships as possible, complete the FAFSA each year. This may open grant and work-study options, as well as federal student loans. The federal student loans that the FAFSA opens for students usually have the best interest rates and terms, and do not need a cosigner. However, for the vast majority of students, the lifetime limit they can borrow is $31,000 ($5500 for year 1, $6500 for year 2, $7500 for years 3 and 4).

If more funds are needed, the private student loan market is one option for funding the student’s remaining balance. In most cases, parents/guardians will have to co-sign for these loans. There are several private student loan companies out there. My favorite, however, is Juno.

Juno is a group of more than 200,000 students and parents who work together to make lenders reduce the cost of student loans. You can join for free to access their deals and prepare for future payments. It takes less than a minute to join, and there is no fee or obligation.

To recap:

Step 1: Ensure your student is applying to as many scholarships as possible to reduce the cost of college.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA to get access to federal student loans, as well as grants and work-study, if eligible.

Step 3: Compare the best rates and terms for additional student loans from various providers, including Juno.

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Featured Scholarships:

Applying to college isn't just about submitting applications in senior year.

It starts with months or even years of preparation, which many families are caught off guard by once their teen becomes a rising senior.

But don't worry. We are here to give you some tips and tricks to reduce the stress and confusion that can come from having all the information thrown at parents at once.

Knowing how to write college admissions essays and how to find scholarship opportunities before things get too busy allows you to take some work off your plate now, making everything more manageable later.

College essay expert Dr. Kellie Coppi and Dave “The Scholarship Coach” Peterson share actionable steps that your Class of 2027, 2028, and even 2029 students can take this spring and beyond to make their college admissions journey less stressful and more successful.

Get access to the Scholarship GPS Course and the Writing the College Admissions Essay Course for one low price!

This self-paced course will take you through 9 lessons, both introducing you to the purpose of an admissions essay and how to properly craft one. Whether you’re looking to write a Common App essay, essay for any other submission platform, a UC PIQ, or a supplemental essay, this course will ensure that your written submission fulfills the character-driven requirements for any admissions submission. With the structure and support offered, you also have a course at your disposal that can be used for students submitting in future college-bound cycles, as well!

With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi is a college admissions essay expert. Dr. Coppi’s background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays.

Dr. Coppi’s College Admissions Essay course normally sells for $175, but with this special offer, you get BOTH the Scholarship GPS course and the College Admissions Essay course for one low price!

The Scholarship GPS self-paced video course allows you to learn at your own pace. Throughout the course, you’ll acquire essential scholarship skills, including:

How to identify the best scholarships based on your student’s unique profile

Tips and best practices for scholarship applications, essays, and projects

The importance of crafting your student’s Personal Narrative, a key element in winning scholarships

Additionally, you will have access to helpful tools such as:

A scholarship tracking tool preloaded with quick and easy no-essay scholarships for immediate application

A scholarship checklist template to ensure completion of applications

Examples of scholarship-winning essays

The Scholarship GPS course normally sells for $197, but with this special offer, you get BOTH the College Admissions Essay course and the Scholarship GPS course for one low price!

Get lifetime access to BOTH the Writing the College Admissions Essay course AND Scholarship GPS for the low price of just $147! Click here to take advantage of this limited-time offer: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegeprepbogo

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Featured Scholarships:

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Did you know that you can appeal your financial aid offer?

In fact, colleges expect you to do so.

However, it’s important to submit your financial aid appeal correctly.

That is why I’m so happy to share with you the FREE Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator.

The Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator is completely FREE, takes just 5 minutes, provides you with a custom letter for your student based on their unique circumstances, and gives you a list of documents you can use to support your appeal.

So, don’t delay! Click here to start your financial aid appeal today!

THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion.

In This Free Session You'll Discover:

The two common mistakes even supportive parents make that quietly stall momentum and increase dependence.

To access this free training, click the link click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148233090/PLHdxFCx

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Did you know you can appeal your financial aid award?

Join Juno’s expert-led webinar on Monday, April 27th at 8pm ET to learn how to increase financial aid from your university. We’ll cover the reasons why you can appeal, what documents you may need to collect, and how to approach the conversation with your financial aid office. A live Q&A will follow the presentation, so bring your questions! Click here to register.

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Joey Lin is a test preparation expert and personal guide for students in high school pushing hard to achieve their goals - and setting them up for success in their next stage in life. As a college counselor, test-prep guru, and educational cheerleader, Joey doesn't just dole out sagely wisdom and send students home to study; he talks them through the task, whatever it is.

In our conversation, we discussed:

To connect with Joey, visit thinqueprep.com or @thinqueprep on Instagram

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Featured Scholarships:

For more than a decade, Lisa Marker-Robbins has helped over 4,000 teens and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to successfully embark on their graduation career path.

Lisa knew there had to be a better way…

In our conversation, we discussed:

The importance of defining the correct “finish line” for your student

Why your student’s school is likely measuring the wrong “finish line”

Outsourcing your students’ development in the wrong way

Why “we’ll figure it out later” closes doors, adds stress, and costs more

How to guide your student without putting pressure on them

And much more…

If you want to start your student on the road to clarity, access Lisa’s new FREE training, the Career Identification Compass, by going to Flourishcoachingco.com/gps

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FREE Webiar: The Latest on College Admissions: Changes to the ACT & SAT, Scholarships, and More

Brian Eufinger from Edison Prep and Dave Peterson from Scholarship GPS will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate the increasingly competitive landscape of higher education! The presentation is meticulously infused with real data from the front lines of college admissions.

While the goal of the presentation is to be informative, we take it as a point of pride that “fun” or “irreverent” are often mentioned as well when parents refer our info sessions to fellow parents!

Feel free to invite others whom you feel may benefit from this valuable information on the college admissions process!

Info Session Goals:

-Understand how college admissions has changed in the post-covid landscape

-Understand how the transcript landscape has starkly shifted with grade inflation, AP/IB classes, and dual enrollment

-Familiarize yourself with the structure of the SAT/ACT/PSAT/Pre-ACT and how the scores impact college admissions and merit aid

-Help your student achieve his/her fullest potential on the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT

-Learn about the college application process timeline and how to plan ahead to avoid common pitfalls.

-Learn how GPA, course rigor, and test scores can be used to maximize financial aid and scholarships!

Click here to register. All registrants will be given access to the webinar recording.

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Featured Scholarships:

In the last 45 days, I have had multiple Scholarship GPS students earn full-tuition and other large scholarships.

But the road to those students' scholarship success started many months before.

These students learned what scholarships are looking for in applicants.

They practiced their scholarship skills by applying for several scholarships.

They made scholarships a priority and learned how to improve their applications entry by entry.

And, many of those students started by participating in last year's Scholarship Summer Camp.

Now, I know summer seems like a long way off - but can you it’s already April? Summer will be here before you know it!

Summer is the perfect time for students to learn the scholarship process.

With no school and no homework, students have the time and mental space to devote a few minutes per day to learn the secrets to scholarship success.

Because I know you want to do everything you can to set your student up for scholarship success, I'm opening early registration to the Scholarship Summer Camp for my podcast listeners.

By participating in the Scholarship Summer Camp, your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project!

Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released. These can be watched on-demand, based on the student's schedule.

On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week's lessons and taking Q&A.

Here's the agenda:

Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success

Week 2: Your Personal Narrative

Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You

Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!)

Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project!

This year, I'm offering two different sessions. Choose the one that works best with your schedule.

Session A starts June 1st.

Session B starts July 27th.

Plus, I'm offering a 50% discount if you register this month!

The Scholarship Summer Camp is my most popular program. Space is limited, so don't delay!

Use discount code APRIL at checkout to save 50% off the regular price. Click here to learn more and to sign up today.

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Featured Scholarships:

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Janine Deems is the Founder and CEO of Smarter by 1 Degree, an innovative education company reshaping the way teens learn in high school. Rethinking education allows students to have time for career exploration, volunteering, interning, trade school, or a bachelor's degree during high school.

A dynamic speaker and visionary leader, Janine travels the country teaching about education reimagined. A research-backed, mastery-based instructional model that leverages technology, innovation, strategy, and purposeful learning to prepare students for success after graduation. With more than a decade of experience as an Education Strategist, 25 years of experience as an Educator, and the privilege of helping thousands of students meet their educational goals.

Her mission is rooted in a simple belief:

Every student deserves more than a diploma. They deserve direction, purpose, and a future they are excited about!

In our conversation, we discussed:

To connect with Janine, visit smarterby1degree.com.

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FREE Webiar: The Latest on College Admissions: Changes to the ACT & SAT, Scholarships, and More

Brian Eufinger from Edison Prep and Dave Peterson from Scholarship GPS will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate the increasingly competitive landscape of higher education! The presentation is meticulously infused with real data from the front lines of college admissions.

While the goal of the presentation is to be informative, we take it as a point of pride that “fun” or “irreverent” are often mentioned as well when parents refer our info sessions to fellow parents!

Feel free to invite others whom you feel may benefit from this valuable information on the college admissions process!

Info Session Goals:

-Understand how college admissions has changed in the post-covid landscape

-Understand how the transcript landscape has starkly shifted with grade inflation, AP/IB classes, and dual enrollment

-Familiarize yourself with the structure of the SAT/ACT/PSAT/Pre-ACT and how the scores impact college admissions and merit aid

-Help your student achieve his/her fullest potential on the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT

-Learn about the college application process timeline and how to plan ahead to avoid common pitfalls.

-Learn how GPA, course rigor, and test scores can be used to maximize financial aid and scholarships!

Click here to register. All registrants will be given access to the webinar recording.