National Scholarship Awareness Month

National Scholarship Awareness Month webpage banner with PWCS logo and money graphic

National Scholarship Awareness Month

November is National Scholarship Awareness Month and our school counselors and college and career counselors stand ready to help students investigate, search, source, and apply for scholarship money to aid in their post-secondary education. In PWCS, we promote local, national, and college-specific scholarships through Naviance.  College and career counselors strengthen scholarship seeking skills and awareness with students and families throughout the year. 
 
During October, district wide financial aid awareness and scholarship search sessions were held through the Family Engagement Series (recordings in English and Spanish are provided)College and career counselors provided additional support to seniors who submitted applications during VA College Application week, October 23 –27, 2023. Also, during the month of October, high schools facilitated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) hands-on help workshops and financial aid information sessionsAll seniors are encouraged to complete the FAFSA® which is required to be on file for many college-specific scholarships in addition to merit-based scholarship funds. 
 
November is a busy month for our college and career counselors and school counselors as there are numerous college early application deadlines and scholarship awareness activities. and school counselors as there are numerous college early application deadlines and scholarship awareness activities. During November, students are encouraged to learn more about the scholarship application process, types of scholarships, and resources such as the ones listed below to support their efforts in paying for education after high school.

  1. PWCS encourages middle and high school students and families to use the Naviance national scholarship database, and review college specific scholarship applications and criteria.
  2. Many local and SPARK Business Partnership scholarships become available in early spring.
  3. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will become available in December.  

Did you know that an estimated $100 million in scholarships and $2 billion in student grants (SoFI.com) go unclaimed each year? 

PWCS does not want our students to miss out! Students are encouraged to see their college and career counselor to get answers to questions about paying for college. 

Photo collage of various seniors across the school division who applied to colleges during Virginia College Application week.  Collage shows students holding pendants from colleges they applied to.

Shown in the photo above: PWCS seniors across the school division apply to colleges during Virginia College Application Week, October 23–27, 2023.