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

Get our free list of recommended scholarship database sites to find thousands of scholarships: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/scholarship-websites ---------- Today, we are joined by Lee Norwood of College Sharks. In our conversation, Lee and I discussed: How students and parents can DIY college admissions while still getting expert guidance Why AI can’t replace a real human for college prep guidance How a trusted third party can help overcome a student’s objections to following their parents’ lead The importance of getting educated on the college admissions process and strategies is critical for success What “the perfect college” means, and the need to look at college beyond “the usual suspects” And much more… To learn more, visit collegesharks.com ---------- Featured Scholarships: $5000 Unigo Education Matters Scholarship $20,000 Equitable Excellence Scholarship $1000 Volunteer for Vets Scholarship $1000 Sharing is Caring Scholarship $1000 Whistleblower Education Scholarship $2000 Smarter College Better Financial Future Scholarship (No Essay) $1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship (No Essay) Subscribe to the free "Your Daily Scholarship" Newsletter here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/  

Jaime Smith is a certified educational planner with 25 years of experience in education at the middle, high school, and college levels. As a college adviser, she specializes in transfer admissions, homeschoolers, neurodiverse learners, and other nontraditional students.  In our conversation, Jaime and I discussed: The number of students who transfer colleges The reasons students transfer colleges The process for transferring colleges The value of starting at a community college Scholarship implications of transferring colleges And much more… To connect with Jaime, go to TransverSavvy.com. ---------- If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you’ll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships! Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home Space is extremely limited, so don’t delay. ---------- With the Scholarship Navigator program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences. Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach. Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings. We offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen. Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today! ---------- Featured Scholarships: $1000 Mental Health Scholarship $1000 Successful Small Business Scholarship $1000 Aaliyah Lee Scholarship $14.5 Million Live Más Scholarship $1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship $1000 Making the Leap Scholarship for Transfer Students $5000 Christian College Scholarship Drawing $2000 Catholic College Scholarship

If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you’ll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships! Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home Space is extremely limited, so don’t delay. ---------- If your Class of 2026 student would like help with scholarships, check out the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program. The program includes: A custom list of scholarships based on the student’s unique profile Unlimited scholarship essay and application support Access to the Scholarship GPS video-based course to learn best practices and tips Expert answers to your scholarship questions Click here or go to www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator to learn more and to get started for just $47! ---------- Featured Scholarships: $10,000 Scholarships360 No-Essay Scholarship $30,000 Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship $40,000 GE-Reagan Scholarship $60,000 Hagan Scholarship $1000 Taxes for Millennials Scholarship $1000 Scholarships360 Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship $5000 Christian College Scholarship Drawing $2000 Catholic College Scholarship ----------

If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you’ll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships! Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home Space is extremely limited, so don’t delay. ---------- If your Class of 2026 student would like help with scholarships, check out the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program. The program includes: A custom list of scholarships based on the student’s unique profile Unlimited scholarship essay and application support Access to the Scholarship GPS video-based course to learn best practices and tips Expert answers to your scholarship questions Click here or go to www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator to learn more and to get started for just $47! ---------- Featured Scholarships: $2000 Brains of Bust No-Essay Scholarship $50,000 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship $60,000 Burger King Foundation Scholarship $1000 “Pen to Paper” Scholarship for Storytellers $1000 Defining the Disability Scholarship $1000 Starfish Scholarship $2500 Fostering Education Scholarship ---------- Abbie Metzler is the founder of Confident College Admissions, where she helps students and families navigate the college application process with clarity and confidence. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a current Clinical Psychology PhD student, Abbie brings a unique blend of strategy and psychology to her work. She has worked one-on-one with students for over two years, combining practical application guidance with mindset tools to reduce stress, boost confidence, and empower students to present their most authentic selves. In our conversation, Abbie and I discussed: How her own college journey shapes the way she guides students. The biggest misconception families have about college admissions today, especially with test-optional policies. How students can stand out in essays and applications without feeling like they need to be “perfect.” What a “confident” application really looks like—for both students and parents. Resources for families who feel overwhelmed by the college admissions process. And much more… To connect with Abbie, go to ConfidentCollegeAdmissions.Podia.com or find her on Instagram: @ConfidentCollegeAdmissions

Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major. In this live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson explain how students who make intentional, well-informed college major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table. You’ll also hear insights from our moderator, Mike Bergin, host of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss: ✔️ How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes ✔️ What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out ✔️ When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up ✔️ Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. ---------- Through Sunday, October 19, when you enroll in the Launch Career Clarity Signature Course, you’ll also get FREE access to the Scholarship GPS Course (a $197 value!) That’s a full system to help your student: 🎯 Clarify their career and college major 💰 Find and win private scholarships 📝 Strengthen their applications and essays 📉 Reduce the overall cost of college Grab the BOGO here:​ ​https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148083294/PLHdxFCx​ To redeem, just forward your receipt to Dave at dave@nodebtcollege.com after enrolling. ---------- If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, this is for you. Through the ACE Network, you’ll have access to 6 AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. This affordable service gives you access to gems of personalized information on college admissions, college essays, SAT and ACTs, dorm planning, and, of course, scholarships! Click the link to learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/ace-network/home Space is extremely limited, so don’t delay. ---------- Featured Scholarships: $2000 Brains of Bust No-Essay Scholarship $2000 Smarter College A Better Financial Future Scholarship $1000 Ability Scholarship Solution Now $1000 “Tuition Solution” Scholarship for STEM Students $1000 College Student Safety Scholarship $1000 American Bullion Scholarship $2000 Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

The Class of 2027 Scholarship Navigator program provides: • Prep to apply for the FULL-RIDE Coolidge Scholarship. Students in the program have the option to participate in a book club/study to prepare to apply for this amazing scholarship opportunity! • Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A. • Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered! • A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2027 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships. • Personalized help with scholarship applications & essays. These can be any scholarships of your choice! • Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. Click here to learn more and to register today. Use the discount code COOLIDGE before October 9, 2025, to receive a special discount. ---------- Melissa Muir, MAT is the founder and lead teacher at Curio, where she helps families create practical, real-world learning experiences for their children. With a Master’s in Teaching and years of experience in homeschooling, public, private, and online education, and curriculum development, she’s passionate about critical thinking, creative writing, and meaningful discussions. Melissa specializes in interactive, thought-provoking classes that challenge students while keeping learning fun. Whether she’s leading a lively debate or helping kids craft compelling stories, she equips students with the skills they need to think deeply and express themselves confidently. In our conversation, Melissa and I discussed: Why critical thinking is such a crucial skill for students today Ways to spark curiosity in your student How reading and discussing books together equips students with both academic and real-world skills The long-term impact on their education and even their future lives when kids grow in critical thinking, curiosity, and communication And much more… To connect with Melissa, go to thinkcurio.com. Read Melissa’s article on the overlooked power of teen book clubs. ---------- Who will be answering your biggest questions about college admissions this year? 🔑 Six experts. 📍 One place. 💡 Endless answers. 😫 Tired of sifting through thousands of conflicting posts on social media? 🎯 What if you had direct access to experts instead? 🤝 We’ve gathered the top minds in admissions, testing, scholarships, essays, and more… If you have a Class of 2026 or Class of 2027 student, I will be headlining the ACE Network with 5 other AMAZING and VETTED college planning experts. As a subscription service that gives you access to gems of personalized information, you can partake in this service for as many months as you’d like at a FRACTION of the cost of what a full-time college admissions advisor would cost. Click here to learn more. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: FULL RIDE Coolidge Scholarship $35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest Goldstein & Bashner $1000 Combatting Campus Issues Scholarship $1000 Employment BOOST Scholarship $2000 Boyk Law Veteran Scholarship $2000 Smarter College Better Financial Future Scholarship $1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship

I recently spoke with Kami Wanous, the creator of the Raising Leaders Roadmap and a homeschool mentor. A credentialed teacher with over seven years in public education and homeschooling since 2008, she draws on her background in English, leadership, and freedom principles to guide families toward meaningful learning. Kami helps homeschool parents create a culture that inspires a lifelong love of learning—equipping them to mentor with confidence and raise passionate leaders who make an impact in the world. She has been featured on CBS News and as a guest writer and speaker for homeschooling conventions, blogs, magazines, podcasts, and YouTube channels. In our conversation, Kami and I discussed: What it means to be a lifelong learner What a lifelong learner looks like Why being a lifelong learner is important for our kids headed to college Whether students can be "successful" in college without being lifelong learners How parents help our kids become lifelong learners And much more… Here are all of the ways you can connect with Kami: Website: TheFreedomScholar.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFreedomScholar IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefreedomscholar YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtJpXKtndYS9rrP98KcvDEw LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kami-wanous-14117723a Podcast: Homeschool Success with Kami Wanous Click here to get the Freedom Scholar Love of Learning Launch Pad. Make learning time exciting—for you and your kids! Launch into joyful, lifelong learning! ---------- Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major. In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson will explain how students who make intentional, well-informed major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table. You’ll also hear insights from our moderators, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley, hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss: ✅How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes ✅What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out ✅When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up ✅Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid This is a live, interactive session—we’ll take your questions during the event and offer expert guidance you can act on right away. Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. Click here to register: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/scholarships-majors ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $1000 DP Law Encouraging Diversity Scholarship $1000 Karin Riley Porter Good Works Scholarship $2500 Money Metals/Sound Money Defense League Gold-Backed Scholarship $1000 Employment BOOST Scholarship $35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest $5000 Christian Connector Scholarship $1000 Appily No-Essay Scholarship ---------- Start Your Scholarship Journey Today I would love to work with your student on their scholarship entries. The Scholarship Navigator Program provides personalized assistance with your student’s scholarship essays. I go through as many rounds of review and feedback as needed. Plus, students get a customized list of scholarships that match their unique profile. These are just some of the benefits of the Scholarship Navigator Program. Go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services to learn more.

I recently spoke with Sarah, whose daughter, Madeline, won 18 scholarships at her senior awards event. Sarah describes their scholarship journey and how they achieved such great success. ---------- Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major. In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson will explain how students who make intentional, well-informed major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table. You’ll also hear insights from our moderators, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley, hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss: ✅How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes ✅What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out ✅When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up ✅Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid This is a live, interactive session—we’ll take your questions during the event and offer expert guidance you can act on right away. Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. Click here to register: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/scholarships-majors ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $100,000 Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway $5000 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity International Essay Contest $1500 IvyPanda Video Contest Scholarship $1000 Mediation & Conversations Scholarship $1500 Shout It Out Scholarship $5000 Christian Connector Scholarship $50,000 ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship ---------- Start Your Scholarship Journey Today I worked with Sarah and Madeline through the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart your student’s scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With this program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences. But we don’t stop there! Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach. Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings. We offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen. Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today!

I recently spoke with Rachel Fusco, an educator and mental health professional dedicated to transforming the way we prepare young people for adulthood. Over the past two decades, Rachel has personally supported over a thousand college-bound students in high schools, college access programs, and private admissions consulting. Rachel has shared her expertise as a presenter and trainer for prestigious colleges, private and public high schools, after-school programs, mental health clinics, statewide conferences, and teaches graduate-level counseling courses in Career Counseling, Child and Adolescent Development, and Adolescent Suicidality. Leveraging her background in college admissions, adolescent development, and education as an independent college coach, Rachel works with teens, parents, and schools to transform the way we prepare young people for college. It’s time to geek out, not stress out, about the future. In our conversation, Rachel and I discuss: The impact of brain development on college prep The need to break down college prep into specific tasks How self-awareness reduces student stress when it comes to the college application process Why college prep is stressful and how to reduce the stress How setting parameters (including financial) in the college search reduces a student’s anxiety And much more.. To connect with Rachel, visit rachelfusco.com. ---------- Families often focus on GPA and test scores when it comes to scholarships—but there’s another powerful lever: your student’s college major. In this free, live panel event, master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and scholarship strategist Dave Peterson will explain how students who make intentional, well-informed major choices can unlock more merit-based and private scholarship opportunities—and how to jump-start the process so you don’t leave money on the table. You’ll also hear insights from our moderators, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley, hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, as we discuss: ✅How early career exploration improves both college applications and scholarship outcomes ✅What scholarship committees are really looking for—and how your teen can stand out ✅When and how to begin the process before deadlines sneak up ✅Real stories of students who aligned their goals and earned more aid This is a live, interactive session—we’ll take your questions during the event and offer expert guidance you can act on right away. Whether your teen is unsure about their major or already has a goal in mind, this session will help you uncover new financial opportunities you may be missing. Click here to register: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/scholarships-majors ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $25,000 NHS Scholarship $1000 Buckfire Law Disability Scholarship $2500 Home Depot Path to Pro Construction Careers Scholarship $1000 Outstanding Citizen Scholarship $1000 Empowering Others Scholarship $1000 ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship $2000 Autumn Apple Choice Award No-Essay Scholarship

In this week's episode, you will hear from Talon and his mom, Audria, and Victoria and her mom, Nicole. These students have earned over $300,000 in scholarships (so far)! They share their insights into how they did it, and give inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps. ---------- Check out the Scholarship Navigator Programs: For Current College Students For the High School Class of 2026 For the High School Class of 2027 For High School Freshmen & Sophomores ---------- If your student is unclear on their future plans, my friend Lisa has a free 2-minute quiz to see if it’s the right time to start planning. ..this quiz is your first step toward helping them launch with clarity and purpose. What you'll get: ✔️ A clear understanding of your young person’s current stage of career development ✔️ A personalized next step based on where they are now ✔️ FREE access to our Career Clarity Roadmap to move your family forward So, click here to take the 2-minute career readiness quiz today: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- Save $50 off J&J Test Prep’s SAT Intensive program with code SCHOLARSHIPGPS50 at this link only. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $10,000 Merit Scholarship Program $2500 Andijar & Levine Community Service Scholarship $3000 Help to Save Scholarship $1000 Building Bridges Scholarship $2000 Autumn Apple Choice Scholarship $2000 Smarter College Scholarship

I recently spoke with Luanne Lee, Owner of Your College Planning Coach. Luanne has undergone extensive licensing and training as a College Financial Planning Specialist and for the past 15+ years has devoted her practice to providing financial education and efficient solutions to families maneuvering through the complex process of planning and funding for college without jeopardizing their retirement goals. In our conversation, Luanne and I discuss: The maximum amount of money a student can borrow without their parents (or another cosigner) Whether the recent changes to student loans will make it easier or harder to get loans Whether the changes to student loans will lower the cost of college The importance of applying for outside scholarships early and often The impact of changes on families with students currently in college The impact of changes on families with college-bound high school students How the changes to student loans can leave students without a source to pay for college years 3 and 4 Changes to the repayment structure of student loans (for both existing and new student loans) And much more… To connect with Luanne and learn more about how she works with students and families, go to ycpcoach.com. ---------- Click here to take the free 2-minute career readiness quiz from Launch Career Clarity ---------- Save $50 off J&J Test Prep’s SAT Intensive program with code SCHOLARSHIPGPS50 at this link only. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships:   $25,000 Chick-fil-A Community Scholars Program $1000 Gen and Kelly Tanabe Giving Back Scholarship $1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship $2000 Be The Boss Scholarship Smarter College Scholarship ---------- Scholarship opportunities don't end at high school graduation. Click here to get the FREE Scholarship Guide for Current College Students emailed to you: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegescholarships ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

I recently spoke with Jackie Pollina of J&J Test Prep and No B.S. SAT® Prep. In our conversation, Jackie and I discussed: What the PSAT is, when to take it, and its predictive power for SAT scores The National Merit Scholarship, and how to qualify for it Balancing test prep with school, extracurriculars, and life Recent changes to the SAT and how that affects test prep How reading improves test scores And much more… Jackie has kindly offered my listeners $50 off the Digital SAT® Intensive Course. Use code SCHOLARSHIPGPS50 at checkout at this link: https://www.jjtestprep.com/satintensive-scholarshipgps She is also offer $25 off the PSAT® Intensive Course. Use code PSATSCHOLARSHIPGPS at checkout at this link: https://www.jjtestprep.com/psatintensive-scholarshipgps ---------- Scholarship GPS is on Facebook! Join the group that matches your student’s year in school: Class of 2025 Class of 2026 Class of 2027 Class of 2028 Class of 2029 ---------- To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $2500 Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship $2500 Leaders Save Lives Scholarship $2500 Bright Futures Scholarship $2000 Banks Family Scholarship $8000 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship $5000 Christian College Scholarship $2000 Smarter College A Better Financial Future Scholarship ---------- Scholarship opportunities don't end at high school graduation. Click here to get the FREE Scholarship Guide for Current College Students emailed to you: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/collegescholarships ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

I recently spoke with Dr. Kellie Coppi of Say Yes to the Ess-ay. With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Coppi provides expert guidance tailored to each student's unique needs. Dr. Coppi's background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays. In our conversation, Dr. Coppi and I discussed: Why high-stats students get rejected from colleges Where Class of 2026 students need to be RIGHT NOW in their college admissions process Why “good writers” often struggle with college admissions essays The importance of a college’s culture when deciding where to apply The importance of admissions essays for students with modest academic records To connect with Dr. Coppi, go to https://sayyestotheessaywithdrcoppi.com or connect with her on Facebook. ---------- Scholarship GPS is on Facebook! Join the group that matches your student’s year in school: Class of 2025 Class of 2026 Class of 2027 Class of 2028 Class of 2029 ---------- To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: Gates Scholarship QuestBridge Full-Ride Scholarship Be a Friend Project Scholarship Make Me Laugh Scholarship $1000 Appily Easy Money No-Essay Scholarship $35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest ---------- Get one-on-one support for your scholarship applications with the Navigator Program! The Scholarship Navigator Program includes: Review, feedback, and editing of your scholarships essay. Access to the Scholarship GPS video course, which includes a lesson on the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship. A custom list of scholarships for your student to apply for, based on their unique profile. Online support for your scholarship questions. Click here to learn more and sign up today: Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Class of 2027 Scholarship Navigator ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

I recently spoke with Warren Buck of Future Finders. Warren’s background as a teacher and principal informs his work today, helping students with college and career planning. In our conversation, Warren and I discussed: The proper use of AI in college planning and essays How to build a weighted college list that works for your teen The importance of including your budget in your college planning process How scholarships can open additional college options Why high stats are not enough to secure admissions and scholarships, and how to stand out with your applications Future planning for both college-bound and non-college-bound students To connect with Warren, go to futurefindersllc.com Today's video is also available on YouTube. ---------- To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholarship $4000 10x Digital Marketing Scholarship $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Weekender: $1300 CollegeXpress Back-to-School Scholarship ---------- Get one-on-one support for your scholarship applications with the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program! The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program includes: Review, feedback, and editing of your scholarships essay. Access to the Scholarship GPS video course, which includes a lesson on the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship. A custom list of scholarships for your Class of 2026 student to apply for, based on their unique profile. Online support for your scholarship questions. Click here to learn more and sign up today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

At RISE, they redefine academic excellence by empowering ambitious students through personalized mentorship and transformative educational opportunities. Recognizing that young scholars need more than traditional learning, they connect them with mentors from Oxbridge and Ivy League colleges. Their tailored programs in research, interview preparation, and academic tutoring nurture curiosity, build essential skills, and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators. Yash Mundada came through the UK’s grammar school system and later cracked India’s toughest engineering entrance exams. Along the way, he kept noticing a pattern: incredibly talented students were missing out on research opportunities simply because they didn’t have the right access. That’s why he and his partner started RISE Research. Click here to learn more about RISE Global Education, and be sure to tell them you heard this interview to get a discount! ---------- To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $3000 Asbestos.com Scholarship $5000 Workamajig’s Creative Impact Scholarship Lumiere Scholars Essay Award $30,000 Elk's Most Valuable Student Scholarship Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship ---------- Get one-on-one support for your scholarship applications with the Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program! The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program includes: Review, feedback, and editing of your scholarships essay. Access to the Scholarship GPS video course, which includes a lesson on the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship. A custom list of scholarships for your Class of 2026 student to apply for, based on their unique profile. Online support for your scholarship questions. Click here to learn more and sign up today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Every year, more than half of the students I work with who apply for the Voice of Democracy Scholarship earn prizes through this incredible program. In today's episode, we will hear from VFW Programs Director, Lynn Rolfe, about this fantastic opportunity. Plus, he shares information about their program for middle school students, Patriots' Pen! I would love to work with your student on this and their other scholarship entries. The Scholarship Navigator Program provides personalized assistance with your student’s scholarship essays. I go through as many rounds of review and feedback as needed. Plus, students get a customized list of scholarships that match their unique profile. These are just some of the benefits of the Scholarship Navigator Program. Go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services to learn more.  ---------- Is your young person ready to make confident decisions about their college major, training path, or career? Or are they stuck, overwhelmed, or simply unsure what comes next? Click the link to take the 2-minute career readiness quiz to find out if now is the right time for your young person to start exploring their career and college major plans: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- Did you know that when our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them in medical and financial emergencies? 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 at Mama Bear Legal Forms. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $1000 Entrepreneur Scholarship $1000 RealtyHop Scholarship $1000 Achieve Today Scholarship $1000 Future Educator Scholarship Dream Vacation Scholarship $35,000 Voice of Democracy Scholarship Weekender: $5000 Christian College Scholarship ---------- Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences. But we don’t stop there! Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach. Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings. We proudly offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen. Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today! ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Did you know that high school students can do college-level research that may actually be published in academic journals? That’s where Horizon comes in. Horizon Academic Research Program was founded in 2016 to give a platform to the world’s best young researchers. Horizon was founded by Columbia University alums with a strong belief in how early access to research can shape the lives of future leaders. Over the last 8 years, Horizon has worked with 1000+ students and 100+ instructors from over 30 countries. I spoke with Dr. Sarah Carlo, Program Director at Horizon. In our conversation, we discussed: The benefits of doing academic research as a high school student How college-level research differs from most “research” done at the high school level The types of research opportunities open to high school students How a research project can help with college admissions and scholarships And much more… Click here to learn more about Horizon, and be sure to tell them you heard this interview to get a discount! https://horizoninspires.com/ ---------- To find out more about how Lisa and Flourish Coaching work with students like yours to help them gain clarity on their future college major and career, click here: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2148004629/PLHdxFCx ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: Driver Education Initiative Award Scholarship $1000 GBV Service Scholarship $1000 Care Throughout the Ages Scholarship $1000 Who Inspires You Scholarship $1000 Cyberbullying Awareness Scholarship Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship ---------- Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences. But we don’t stop there! Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach. Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings. We proudly offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen. Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today! ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Macayla is a first-year college student who has earned multiple scholarships. She jumpstarted her scholarship journey as one of my Class of 2024 scholarship coaching students. Macayla and her mom, Leslie, share their thoughts on how having success with scholarships is a process, the benefits of scholarships beyond the money for college, and much more. Listen to my interview with Macayla and her mom, Leslie, to hear their tips and suggestions for students on their own scholarship journey. ---------- Did you know that when our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them in medical and financial emergencies? 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 at Mama Bear Legal Forms. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: Underdog Scholarship $2,000 No Essay Scholarship Capital Auto Auction STEM Scholarship $2500 SoFi Scholarship Giveaway CollegeXpress Scholarship Sweepstakes ---------- Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences. But we don’t stop there! Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach. Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings. We proudly offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen. Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today! ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

I recently spoke with Katie Azevedo of School Habits. Having taught in both public and private school systems, Katie has seen firsthand how our students are expected to learn, but they are rarely given the tools or strategies to do so. Since 2006, she has personally coached thousands of students, one-on-one, on standardized tests (SAT/ACT, SSAT, GRE), application essays, study skills, executive functions, and writing and reading instruction. Katie works with students in grade 6 through graduate school, as well as adults looking to further their work productivity habits. In our conversation, Katie explains what studying IS and what studying IS NOT. She provides ideas to help students improve their study habits and also discusses how studying in college often differs from the study skills that may have worked in high school. Katie also talks about some of the systems that students need in place to support their study habits. And Katie even tells us about the most overlooked skill that students need for success - and that skill may surprise you! You can access her free training, How to Help Your Student Handle School Like a Pro Without Study Frustration, Assignment Overwhelm, or All the Drama, here: https://www.schoolhabitsuniversity.com/freetraining Finally, please check out Katie’s fantastic podcast, Learn and Work Smarter. ---------- Did you know that when our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them in medical and financial emergencies? 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 at Mama Bear Legal Forms. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: $1000 Strong Work Ethic Scholarship $1500 Flavor of the Month Scholarship $1000 MoolahSPOT Scholarship $1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship $2000 Bachus & Schanker Scholarship $1000 Appily Easy Money Scholarship ---------- Unlock your student's potential with the Scholarship Navigator Program, a comprehensive program designed to jumpstart their scholarship journey and provide invaluable ongoing support. With our program, your student will gain access to a personalized list of scholarships tailored to their unique profile, ensuring they can apply for opportunities that resonate with their passions and experiences. But we don’t stop there! Your student will receive expert guidance on their scholarship applications and essays, including personalized reviews, constructive feedback, and editing assistance from Dave the Scholarship Coach. Both students and parents can take advantage of direct support for all scholarship-related questions, available through email and exclusive client-only Zoom meetings. We proudly offer Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, as well as for sophomores and freshmen. Empower your student to seize their future—enroll today!   ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/  

I recently spoke with Vida John of Vida John Tutoring. Vida is dedicated to helping motivated students excel in math problem-solving and competition math. She uses the Art of Problem Solving curriculum to help students understand, develop, and use their problem-solving techniques for math success! In our conversation, Vida and I discussed: Some of the  not-so-obvious benefits of participating in math competitions Similar competitions or organizations for students interested in things besides math, like history, writing, or other academic pursuits How participating in these types of organizations or competitions helps when it comes to college admissions A unique scholarship opportunity To connect with Vida, go to vidajohntutoring.com ---------- Did you know that when our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them in medical and financial emergencies? 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 at Mama Bear Legal Forms. ---------- This Week's Featured Scholarships: Gen and Kelly Tanabe Think About Your Future Scholarship (You can order the Tanabe's fantastic scholarship book here) $2500 Build a Better Future Scholarship $1500 “First Step” to Distraction-Free Driving Scholarship World's Only Minecraft Scholarship $1000 Conflict Conquerer Scholarship CollegeXpress No Essay Scholarship ---------- It’s not too late to join the Scholarship Summer Camp. Click here to get started today: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/summercamp ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/