With the FAFSA application for the 2025-2026 academic year delayed until December 1, 2024, due to a phased rollout by the Department of Education, students face potential processing backlogs that could slow down financial aid distribution. As reported by Money and VPM similar issues last year led to delays that disrupted funding timelines for many families. This makes FAFSA an uncertain funding source for the coming school year and highlights the importance of a proactive scholarship strategy to cover educational costs (Money; VPM)​.

Why You Shouldn't Wait on FAFSA
While FAFSA remains essential for financial aid, this delay makes it clear that scholarships are a reliable alternative you don’t want to overlook. Scholarships offer early deadlines and fixed funding amounts, which means starting your applications now can help create a secure financial foundation for your college education.

3 Steps to Get Ahead with Scholarships

1. Create a Scholarship-Only Email
   A dedicated scholarship email streamlines your communication, keeps scholarship notifications organized, and minimizes the risk of missing opportunities. This small step is crucial for efficiently managing the influx of information from different scholarship sources.

2. Start a Scholarship Tracker
   With various deadlines and application requirements, it’s easy to lose track. A scholarship tracker is an essential tool for monitoring your progress and deadlines. Use my Scholarship Tracker to organize your applications, helping you reduce stress and keep your funding goals on track.

3. Apply Early and Often
   Begin with scholarships that have deadlines in November and December. Most scholarship applications require essays and letters of recommendation, so give yourself time to prepare thoughtful submissions. A steady stream of applications can lead to multiple awards that, together, contribute significantly to covering your tuition and other expenses.

While FAFSA is still a key financial resource, relying on it solely is a risky strategy this year. Scholarships provide a dependable, proactive way to cover your college expenses. Start your scholarship journey today, stay organized, and aim for a debt-free college experience by following these steps!

Note: Don’t forget to complete your FAFSA as soon as it becomes available on December 1. Even with scholarships, FAFSA can still open doors to additional grants, work-study, and potential loan opportunities that can help fully fund your education.