Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an oval table. Forms were
piled into 50 boxes. Each one had the name of a state. I looked at
the boxes and wondered why some of them were overflowing and others
had just a few. This was the first round of judging. By the time the
contest was over almost 16,000 applications would be examined. Some
of the comments were really critical, "Why did this person bother to
send in an application? It's so sloppy." "This person put the wrong
address on the envelope, even though the correct one is at the top of
the application." One had a cassette tape inside. We played it and it
was a country song. The applicant was a good musician.

That was twelve years ago, and many people still do not know or
realize that College Scholarship Planning could reduce or totally
eliminate college financial debt.

One of the first questions I am always asked is,"When should we start
looking?" Then some answer their own question with, "I'll bet we're
too late already huh?" The ideal time is to start is the 8th grade to
freshman year. Good planning starts early, but scholarships are posted
monthly, and if you start planning early, you have a chance to win
big. Many win the very first time.

If you are a junior or senior in high school, go for it. But remember,
your chances to win increase with every completed application. You
should start College Scholarship Planning even if there is a chance
your child may decide not to go to college. But if the decision is yes,
you will have everything in place. And the planning experience is more
than filling out a few applications.

Another common concern is assuming your family income is too high to
win scholarships. Fact: 80% of all scholarships are need based and
income related, but 20% are not. This means millions of dollars are
still available. It makes good solid financial sense to make an effort
to win scholarship money regardless of income.

You should start College Scholarship Planning even if there is a
chance your child may decide not to go to college. But if the decision
is yes, you will have everything in place. And the planning experience
is worth more than filling out a few applications.

Always remember: the college cholarship effort is truly a family affair.