New for the Class of 2021
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program opens in December for your juniors. Save the getting started steps below and schedule a kick-off activity before winter break.
Early efforts will get rewarded! Students who've already taken action to build their college list on BigFuture™ and link their College Board and Khan Academy® accounts to practice for the SAT® on Official SAT Practice will automatically earn a scholarship entry when they join the program once it opens next month.
Getting Your Juniors Started in December
Students should join the program by signing in with their existing College Board account (same one they used for the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT®) or they can create an account if they don’t have one.
They should click on the yellow Earn Scholarships button at the top of the homepage.
They should review the official rules on the Opt In screen and click Agree. Then they’re ready to start turning their efforts into scholarships!
Priority Action Steps for the Class of 2020The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program will remain open to the class of 2020 through the end of February.
Complete the FAFSA: $1,000
Now Open for Seniors Through February
Students should complete the FAFSA® form to apply for financial aid. They must provide a screenshot of their FAFSA confirmation email if selected for the scholarship (undocumented and international students are exempt).
Pro Tip: Check out these additional resources for counselors, including two helpful on-demand webinars: “FAFSA Updates” and “National College Access Network: Supporting Communities and Students in FAFSA Completion.”
Apply to Colleges: $1,000
Now Open for Seniors Through February
Students should apply to at least two colleges they want to attend and submit the names of the colleges to earn an entry for the scholarship. Students may earn one additional entry for every additional college application after their first two, up to a maximum of six total applications.
Pro Tip: Demonstrate to your students how to log in and create accounts in Common Application, Coalition Application, and/or Universal College Application, so they can apply to multiple schools with a single application. Learn more about these application services.
Sincerely,
College Board