It’s Never Too Early: What One Parent Wished They Knew About College Prep

Last weekend, we were vendors at the Dallas Mavericks Business Assist Vendor Fair. The event was amazing! We had the opportunity to meet parents, teachers, and nonprofit founders, and we engaged in meaningful conversations about college preparation and why it matters.

One parent approached us with the dreaded question:

“My son is graduating in less than a week—how can you help us obtain more funding?”

While we always do our best to help, our typical responses at this stage include:

• Applying for last-minute scholarships

• Asking the university for additional funding

• Encouraging the teen to get a summer job

However, the hard truth is this: it’s 90% too late to secure significant funding for his son's freshman year of college.

If his son had become our client nine months earlier, here are four strategic actions we could have taken:

1. Double the Scholarship Applications

   We would have used our resources to identify lesser-known and local scholarships—ones with a higher chance of success.

   
   

2. Maximize Merit-Based Opportunities

   We would have researched the university’s merit-based scholarship process and advised retaking the SAT or ACT, if needed. Our team would have also helped him boost his scores using proven test prep strategies.

   
   

3. Early FAFSA Review

   We would have guided the family to complete the FAFSA early. Even for high-income families who may not qualify for need-based aid, there are still state grants and merit-based funds that could be available.

   
   

4. Discuss Senior Year Spending

   We would have had an honest conversation with the parents about limiting excessive spending on senior year celebrations to prioritize college costs.

Looking Ahead:

It's not too late to plan for the future. We recommend that all college-bound students:

• Continue applying for scholarships year-round

• Pursue paid internships to build experience and earn money

• Learn how to budget effectively before college begins

Want more ways to support your teen with college prep?

Schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation with us or attend our Parent Prep Academy this summer.

Learn more and sign up!