Fall Grades Count In A Big Way For Seniors: Part 2

As per my previous blog, many of the high school seniors who have already submitted their college applications incorrectly assume this year’s academic grades don’t matter because admission decisions from colleges will be made before senior year grades are even posted. This is a gross misperception and I make clear that this year’s grades do matter for college admission.

For many families of college-bound high school seniors, there is another equally important reason for their student to continue to strive for outstanding grades. The reason is MONEY.

For students with excellent grades, the total package of merit-based scholarship and grant awards will not be offered by colleges until spring 2010 (late March – early April). Colleges strongly consider high school seniors’ fall 2009 semester grades when determining the amount of scholarships and grants to give and, as a result, a drop in GPA this fall semester could cost a student thousands of dollars, maybe tens of thousands of dollars, in scholarship and grant money (scholarship and grant money is
“free” and does not have to be repaid).

Seniors should not only work to earn top grades throughout the year to insure their admission to college, but also to increase their potential for earning the largest scholarship and grant awards.

High school seniors will never know if their fall 2009 grades are the difference between receiving a $3,000 one-time scholarship and a $20,000 annual scholarship. My advice for college-bound seniors is don’t take any chances; continue to earn top grades throughout this academic year.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.