Class of 2026, the time has come. The air is warming up, and the days left until the end of the school year are dwindling. As soon as that day comes, all 294 of our peers are going to venture onto a new path of life, whether that be going to a four-year university, two-year community college, vocational/technical school, direct workforce entry, military service, or even taking a gap year.
But with rising cost of living everywhere, it is putting us seniors in a position where we are having to scrounge for money anywhere. To put this into perspective, roughly one third of our graduating class are college-bound. With the average cost of college rounding to $38,270 per year. Our peers are not equipped to handle this financial burden, and are already being expected to have to take out around $17,000 in student loans. This doesn’t even include costs of books, room and board, food, transportation and other necessary things needed for this step into adulthood. Now this isn’t just about college, but the same goes for those headed to vocational/trade school, all expected to pay $15,070 annually. What about those not attending schooling after graduation, those headed for direct workforce are earning a starting cost of $16-$17 an hour, falling under roughly $30,000-$35,000 yearly, all of which is not enough to make a living in today’s world.
Although this is not an ideal situation, there is something you can do to help reduce this financial problem: Simply apply for scholarships. Yes, it’s really that easy. All you have to do is fill out an application telling the scholarship committee about you and your future goals. These scholarship committees are just throwing out money for seniors everywhere and it’s not going anywhere except to us.
However, with the lack of knowledge about scholarships available, many seniors go without applying meaning they have no chance in receiving any either. Just last year alone, there was close to $100 million in scholarships going unclaimed or unused. That is enough money to cover all four-year undergraduate courses at a university or even full-time enrollment in a technical school or even enough to jump start your search for a direct workforce job, ensuring stability.
This is the stability seniors need at their most vulnerable times. Taking the extra time to apply for these scholarships can make or break your future, no matter which path you take after high school.
So, calling all seniors: Now’s the time to start…start applying, start receiving, and start changing your future.
P.S. Below are some Local Woodford County Scholarships open to apply for now!
