Fall is a busy and stressful time for students, especially now. With the newly updated FAFSA process still causing confusion, many students and families are trying to figure out how (and when) to pay for college while also juggling college applications and the return to school.
If you’re planning to launch a scholarship program this fall, timing and messaging are more important than ever. Here’s how to make sure your scholarship stands out, without adding to the noise or stress.
1. Align Your Scholarship Launch with the New FAFSA Timeline
FAFSA now opens October 1, but recent changes to the application system have created delays, new questions, and plenty of uncertainty for students and counselors alike. Rather than seeing that as a challenge, think of it as an opportunity: by aligning your scholarship deadlines with the new FAFSA timeline, you can meet students where they are, actively searching for ways to fund their education.
Best practice:
Open your application in mid to late October, after FAFSA awareness campaigns have ramped up but before students feel overwhelmed. If you can, keep the application open into the new year so students and families can plan once they’ve submitted FAFSA and begun receiving aid packages.
2. Use Clear, Calm Messaging to Reduce Confusion
Students are juggling a lot, between FAFSA changes, new school routines, and college applications, they’re being asked to make major decisions quickly. Your scholarship should feel like a solution, not another source of stress.
Avoid jargon or unnecessary complexity. Be upfront about eligibility, deadlines, and award details. Make it crystal clear how your opportunity is different (and easier) than applying to college or federal aid.
Tip:
Use reassuring, plain language in your outreach. Phrases like “This scholarship takes 30 minutes to apply,” or “No financial documents required” can go a long way in making your opportunity feel accessible.
3. Don’t Compete with the Peak of College Application Season
October through early December is the height of early decision deadlines, school recommendation requests, and personal statement writing. It’s also when students are receiving a flood of messages from colleges, platforms, and other scholarship providers.
Instead of trying to compete for attention during those exact weeks, consider staggering your outreach:
- Early October: Launch messaging that introduces your scholarship and previews key dates
- Mid-November: Share student stories or examples to re-engage potential applicants
- December–January: Remind students post-deadline that your application is still open, especially as FAFSA submissions are underway
This approach keeps your program top of mind without overwhelming students in an already crowded season.
Final Thought: Help Students Make Sense of It All
Your scholarship may be generous. It may be life-changing. But if students don’t understand what it is or when to apply, they’ll scroll right past it.
By aligning your program with the FAFSA cycle, using student-friendly language, and being mindful of application overload, you can give your scholarship the visibility and accessibility it deserves.
Want to make launching your scholarship easier?
Kaleidoscope helps organizations design, promote, and manage scholarships that meet students where they are. Let’s talk →
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