The Scholarship GPS Podcast: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree

The Fall Scholarship Bootcamp is now open! Most families know scholarships can help pay for college. What most families do not know is how to actually win them. They are overwhelmed by where to start. They are unsure which scholarships are worth pursuing. They do not know what scholarship judges are really looking for. And many students wait too long to begin. That is exactly why the Scholarship Bootcamp was created. The Scholarship Bootcamp is a five-week guided program for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. But this is not just another course full of generic scholarship advice. Students will actually apply for real scholarships during the program, with expert guidance, personalized feedback, and step-by-step instruction along the way. By the end of the program, your family will not only understand how the scholarship process works, but will also have the knowledge and confidence to continue applying for scholarships for years to come. So, to learn more, click here. Register by September 5th and use discount code EARLYBIRD for a 20% discount. ---------- Featured Scholarships: $250,000 Breakthrough Junior Challenge $1000 Commencing at Community College Scholarship $10,000 Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, to have all of our interviews and featured scholarships delivered to your inbox: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Uduak is the mom of a middle school student. She happened upon the Scholarship GPS Podcast and, by listening on her daily commute, learned that her daughter could start applying for scholarships even before starting high school. But her interest in scholarships went beyond just the potential financial rewards. Uduak understood that scholarships could be used to supplement her daughter’s education, particularly her writing abilities. No matter your student’s age, I think you’ll be inspired by Uduak’s story and her desire to support her daughter’s educational journey. And I think that, even if you have older kids, you’ll discover a few things you can do to support your student, as well. At Uduak’s urging, I have decided to start working with middle school students and their families, and have launched the Scholarship Navigator for Middle School Students program! Middle school is the perfect time to start the scholarship journey. It makes scholarships part of the student’s regular routine, gives them the experience and practice they need to be better scholarship applicants than their peers, and allows the student (and parent) to build their Personal Narrative to align with future scholarships. The Scholarship Navigator for Middle School Students provides personalized scholarship guidance, application reviews, essay feedback, and ongoing support so families can focus on the scholarships that best fit their student’s profile and goals. To learn more about the program, click here. And, if you have an older student, check out the Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. ---------- The College Credit Tracker is a single spreadsheet — one you already know how to use — that does the research for you. 80+ colleges. Every major credit type. One dashboard. ✅ CLEP exams — which ones each college accepts, the minimum score needed, and the exact course it replaces ✅ AP exams — same breakdown, school by school ✅ ASU Universal Learner courses — tracked right alongside everything else ✅ Real course equivalencies, not vague “yes we accept credit” answers — so you know precisely what class you’ll get credit for. ✅ A one-stop-shop, Is this data readily available? Sure, sort of. If you know where to look and feel like searching in 7 different places and even then, organizing the data is a battle. ✅ Play in the ‘Sandbox’, Not sure if you want to take an exam or course? No problem! Use the tool as a guide to discover what, how, and if you should pursue the credit options. That feature alone pays for this tool! Stop guessing. Stop hoping the credit transfers. Know, before you or your student ever commits to CLEP, AP, or an ASU Universal Learners college courses, exactly what it’s worth — and where. Instant download. Works immediately in Google Sheets or Excel. No subscription, no software to install — just answers. Click Here to Get your College Credit Tracker ---------- Not Sure About Your Post-Graduation Path? Because successful career launches don’t happen by accident.. If your child is: Still in high school and exploring future options… In college and second-guessing their major… Taking a gap year or unsure how to move forward… Out of school and floundering in the job market… ...this quiz is your first step toward helping them launch with clarity and purpose. Click here to take the 2-Minute Career-Readiness Quiz. ---------- Featured Scholarships: $1000 Sam’s Legacy: Fighting to End Drunk Driving Scholarship $2500 Leaders Save Lives Scholarship The Gates Last-Dollar Scholarship Questbridge College Match Ful-Ride Scholarship

Jennifer Gershberg is a campus and keynote speaker and a former University of Maryland professor. Through her campus programs, keynotes, trainings, and online courses, she helps prospective and current college students build confidence and competence by teaching them the fundamental skills they need for academic and professional success. While on the faculty at the University of Maryland, Jennifer won numerous teaching awards, including the highly coveted Allen J. Krowe Award for Teaching Excellence. She has been a featured guest on multiple podcasts, including Real Housewives of New Jersey Margaret Josephs’ “Caviar Dreams, Tuna Fish Budget.” Jennifer attended Cornell University and the George Washington University Law School. Jennifer’s speaking career is a product of her deep concern for and commitment to student wellbeing. As a professor, she observed a continuous decline in student competencies and mental health following the pandemic and felt compelled to broaden her impact, leading her to this work. Jennifer is known for her natural ease and connection with students, relatability, genuine investment in student success, and being “nurturing but tough -- exactly what students need.” (source: a student) In our conversation, we discussed:• How students build confidence and reduce anxiety• Some of the academic challenges she noticed college students commonly face• Advice for students who need to ask for letters of recommendation • Advice for parents to help their children launch into college successfully ---------- The bad news: Let’s be honest—the transition to college comes with challenges. As summer arrives, many students and parents are feeling the pinch of college costs. The merit aid offered by colleges is often less than hoped for, and concerns about students thriving without the guardrails of high school are increasing. Now, here’s the good news: I’ve partnered with former college professor Jennifer Gershberg to help you turn these hurdles into opportunities for success. Jennifer is passionate about equipping students with essential skills—from time management to building strong relationships with professors—that set them up for college and beyond. Her “Welcome to College! Bootcamp for Incoming Students” is specifically designed to prepare incoming students for the demands of college life, making the transition smoother and more confident. For just $159—a tiny investment compared to the staggering costs of college—this course offers immense value. And here’s the best part: when you enroll through this link only, you’ll receive the Scholarship GPS course for free! (That’s a $197 value!) This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of securing scholarships—from finding scholarships, prioritizing the right ones, to crafting standout essays. Don’t let the financial stress or fear of the unknown hold you back. Take advantage of this limited-time offer to give your student the tools they need for success. Once you purchase, I’ll send you instructions to access your free Scholarship GPS course. Act now—your student’s brighter college journey starts today! ---------- When Sarah's son experienced a medical emergency during his first semester of college, she suddenly found herself navigating an unexpected situation no family plans for. Fortunately, she had purchased GradGuard Tuition Insurance when her son started at Denison University. What began as a simple precaution became an invaluable source of support during a difficult time. In this testimonial, she shares how the claims process was straightforward, responsive, and easy to navigate, allowing her family to focus on what mattered most: her son's health and recovery. The tuition refund provided the flexibility and financial relief they needed while he took time away from school to heal before successfully returning to continue his education. Like homeowners or car insurance, you hope you never need to use it but it's comforting to know it's there if yo