STEP 1: Begin with the FAFSA. 🙏🎓
Before you explore scholarships or loans, complete the FAFSA — it’s your gateway to financial aid that can make college dreams a reality. Every journey begins with this first step!

STEP 2: Thinking about where God might be leading you next? 🌟
Check each college’s application deadlines, visit the campus, and connect with someone in the Financial Aid Office — you might be surprised at the help available!

STEP 3: Prioritize your scholarships! 💰
Sort them by due date or award amount so you can focus on the biggest opportunities first. Smart planning pays off!

PRO TIP:  We strongly encourage parents and/or students to create a separate email address specifically for scholarship applications. Many scholarship sites share or sell applicant information, which can result in frequent spam. Using a dedicated email keeps your primary inbox organized, and makes it easier to track scholarship deadlines and communications. YOU GOT THIS!

Marian University in Fond du Lac recently announced a wonderful opportunity—a 50% tuition discount for graduates of Catholic high schools! You can read more here:

• Marian Univ, Fon Du Lac WI
• HN Facebook Article

There are other scholarships out there, that are specifically for Catholic Colleges:

• This one is due January 1! – BOLD.org – search for Catholic Colleges

And if we have any Eagle Scouts, this one is available – application is due by March 1

• Michigan Scouts Catholic Scholarships

Some scholarships are geared toward students with certain hobbies, interests, or activities—like community service, sports, or a particular career path. If that sounds like you, these opportunities can be a perfect fit, so it’s worth taking a closer look!  Scroll through these options.

Top Scholarships for Fall from Scholarships360.org

• https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/scholarships-for-fall/

These options are for Catholic Students or for use at specific Catholic Universities, some are due soon!

• https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-directory/religion/catholic?utm

Some scholarship opportunities may require a little more work, like an essay, a minimum GPA or perhaps a letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach

• https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/scholarships-to-apply-for-in-2025?utm

If the student is planning to go into a Skilled Trades program, there are specific scholarships available for that as well.

• https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/programs/michigan-achievement-scholarship/career-training/programs
• https://gmcami.org/scholarships/ (Some due dates are soon!)
• https://www.builders.org/foundation/skilled-trades-scholarship/apply-for-scholarship/
• https://michiganlegion.org/trade-scholarship/ (Due April 3, 2026)

The 2026 Rosa Parks Scholarship ($3,000) application is now available.

• https://www.rosaparksscholarship.org
• This is an annual scholarship, and we would encourage your school to ensure that our scholarship (and website) is included on your master list of scholarships.  This scholarship is open to all Michigan high school seniors.
• The deadline for filing is March 1, 2026.  Scholarship winners will be announced in mid-May.