Tale of Two Valedictorians

Two high school valedictorians. Both accepted to the same top regional university, but with DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS. One received $145,000 for four years, the other received $4,000. Virtually identical students in every way except one.

This is true life story. In fall 2007, two future valedictorians from the same high school applied to a top regional private university in the San Francisco Bay area. Both students had perfect grade point averages, outstanding SAT test scores and great extracurricular activities. Both were eagerly accepted to their first choice college.

Why then the huge disparity in scholarship awards? The answer is timing: The student who received $145,000 applied EARLY (November 1) for both admission and financial aid using the early action process, the other applied using the regular admission process (application deadline January 7).

When the regular admission student received her financial aid award letter that showed only $4,000 in scholarship awards, she called the Office of Financial Aid to appeal her financial aid award. When she spoke with the university’s financial aid administrator, she cited the other student's huge award and her identical student qualifications. The regular admission student told me the financial aid administrator said, “The largest scholarships are awarded to early applicants because they show us they really want to attend our school (by applying early)."

While this is an extreme example of why students should apply early, it is nonetheless is a true story. For students seeking scholarships and grants (free money that does not have to be repaid), I cannot overemphasize the importance of applying early.

Moral of the story: The early bird catches the financial aid worm.

Apply early. Submit BOTH applications for admission and for financial aid as early as possible.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.