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

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The Scholarship GPS Podcast features Dave The Scholarship Coach, who brings you the latest scholarship information, interviews with college-prep experts, and much more. It is perfect for students and parents who want to earn a debt-free college degree.

  1. 6d ago

    What This Scholarship Provider Saw + 5 Scholarships, Including the Future Ready Scholarship for All High Schoolers

    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. The Fall Scholarship Bootcamp begins on September 14th. Click here to learn more: https://www.scholarshipgps.com/scholarship-bootcamp-fall-2026 ---------- Featured Scholarships: $35,000 Voice of Democracy Contest $1500 Shout it Out Scholarship $8000 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship The Hagan Scholarship $2250 Future Ready Scholarship ---------- With nearly two decades of experience in college application coaching, Dr. Kellie Coppi provides expert guidance tailored to each student's unique needs. Dr. Coppi's background in higher education ensures that she understands the nuances of crafting compelling admissions essays. Dr. Coppi recently offered a scholarship, and what she saw as a scholarship provider gives insight into how your student can become a better scholarship applicant. In our conversation, Dr. Coppi and I discussed: Why she offered a scholarship and why she chose to list it on a popular scholarship website The percentage of students who submitted entries that failed to meet the entry requirements or respond to the essay topic How she identified AI-written essays What current seniors should be doing right now in the college admissions process How senior year grades can affect college admissions How younger students can build a better profile by not spreading themself too thin And much more… To connect with Dr. Coppi, go to https://sayyestotheessaywithdrcoppi.com/ To get my free list of recommended scholarship websites, click here.

  2. Sep 7

    Full-Tuition+ Scholarship Winner Shares Advice + Multiple Scholarship Opportunities + Fall Scholarship Bootcamp Announcement

    Learn How to Win Scholarships by Applying for Real Scholarships 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. The Fall Scholarship Bootcamp begins on September 14th. Click here to learn more. Or visit scholarshipgps.com/scholarship-bootcamp-fall-2026 ---------- When our kids turn 18, we lose many rights that we take for granted when they are minors. That is why I recommend getting a Power of Attorney in place. Mama Bear Legal Forms makes the process quick and easy, and listeners can save 20% with discount code ScholarshipCoach20 when you use this link: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=44 ---------- Featured Scholarships: Goostree Law Group $1000 Bright Futures Scholarship $1000 Building Bridges Scholarship Scholarships360 Making the Leap for Transfer Students Scholarship “Get Inspired” TikTok Scholarship

  3. Aug 31

    Are Scholarships Taxable? Must Scholarships Be Reported To Your College? + $250,000 Scholarship for Students Ages 13-18

    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/

  4. Aug 24

    Getting An Early Edge in This Competitive Job Market + 7 Scholarships + Don’t Let Scholarships Become an Afterthought

    Scholarship success is usually not about one perfect application. It is about having a system and staying consistent long enough for the opportunities to add up. Inside the Scholarship Navigator programs, I help families create that strategy. That includes helping students and parents: organize scholarships and deadlines prioritize the best opportunities review essays and applications stay accountable throughout the process reduce stress and overwhelm Because the scholarship process feels very different when families have a plan instead of panic. There are Scholarship Navigator programs for college students and high school students in the Class of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030, and now, have a program for middle school students. Click the links to learn more. ---------- Featured Scholarships: Siniard Law $2500 Gravitate Scholarship $10,000 Fund Your Future Scholarship Duffy and Duffy $1000 Compassionate Caregiver Scholarship $5000 Pizza Hut Foundation Scholarship $5000 Christian College Scholarship $2,000 Protestant Faith-Based College Scholarship $2,000 Catholic College Scholarship Drawing ---------- Natalie Schoonover and Stephanie Turner help college students cut through the noise and take smart, confident steps toward their future. At LaunchPoint Talent, they do not just prepare students to land their first role. Natalie and Stephanie help them launch a career that aligns with their strengths, values, and ambitions. Before founding LaunchPoint Talent, Natalie and Stephanie spent decades leading early career recruiting and talent strategy at top global professional services firms, reviewing and hiring tens of thousands of students into internships and full-time roles across business, accounting, finance, consulting, and marketing. They know what works because they have been on both sides of the table. From resume refinement to interview readiness, networking to negotiating offers, Natalie and Stephanie bring structure, personalization, and a strategic lens to every phase of the recruiting journey. They are not recruiters. They are coaches and strategic partners, helping students build the skills, confidence, and judgment they will use long after their first job. In our conversation, we discussed: Why strong, qualified students keep getting passed over. When parents are doing college tours, what career-related questions should they actually be asking that most families don’t think to ask. Does the name of the school actually matter in recruiting? Public vs. private, big name vs. lesser known? For families whose student is about to start college, what that first semester or first year actually look like from a career standpoint. What a high school student can do right now, before they even set foot on campus, to give themselves a real edge in recruiting later. How students should think about extracurriculars from a recruiting standpoint, not just a resume-building one. And much more… To connect with Natalie and Stephanie, visit LaunchPointTalent.com.

  5. Aug 17

    This Mom's Middle School Student Has Already Won Multiple Scholarships! + Learn About Last-Dollar & Full-Ride Scholarship Opportunities

    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

  6. Aug 10

    The Impact of SAT, ACT, and PSAT For Scholarships and College Admissions + A Scholarship With $2,500,000+ in Awards!

    Jackie Pollina founded J&J Test Prep with the intention of making test prep fun and manageable for students. Jackie also co-developed No B.S. SAT® Prep, an online digital SAT® prep program that is used by tutors, programs, and schools nationwide. In our conversation, Jackie explains: Why students should take the SAT/ACT. The timeline goal that students should have to achieve their best score. How students can reverse-engineer a prep timeline so that they hit that timeframe. The opportunities that may still exist when students don’t hit their desired goal by that timeframe. Where the PSAT fits into all of this. The impact that test scores have on scholarships and merit aid, and much more. J&J Test Prep offers numerous ways to work with your student. Plus, they offer my readers a special discount. To learn more about J&J Test Prep’s programs, click here. And, be sure to take advantage of J&J Test Prep’s FREE diagnostic to help you decide whether the SAT or ACT is the best option for your student. Click here for this complimentary program. ---------- Featured Scholarships: Silver Law Group $1000 Investor Advocacy Scholarship $1000 Follow Your Own Path Scholarship $20,000 Coca-Cola Foundation Scholarship Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship ($30,000 Top Prize, $2,500,000+ in Prizes + Local & State Awards) $3000 CollegeXpress August Scholarship Giveaway ---------- Nnotice the categories that the applicant must list on their application for the Coca-Cola and Elks Scholarships, as well as the topic of the essay: • Academics • Extracurriculars • Volunteering • Work Experience • Leadership These are the same categories that I refer to as The Five Pillars of a Student’s Personal Narrative. Students don’t need to have experiences in all five of the Pillars, but they do need to know how to tie their experiences together in a compelling way that grabs the judge’s attention. That is what I spend so much time helping students with in the Scholarship Navigator programs. With programs for students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, middle school, and college students, students get personalized assistance building their Personal Narrative, essay reviews, editing, and suggestions, a custom list of scholarships that match the student’s profile, and much more. If you would like to learn more about the Scholarship Navigator programs, I am offering a limited number of free 15-minute Zoom meetings to answer your questions. To book your free consultation, click here.

  7. Aug 3

    Launch Your Student Into College Success + 5 Scholarships

    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 you do. Listen to her story and learn how tuition insurance helped provide peace of mind when the unexpected happened. 🎓 To learn more about GradGuard Tuition Insurance, click here. ---------- Featured Scholarships: $1500 Make Me Laugh Scholarship $1000 Achieve Today Scholarship $1000 Capital Auto Auction Scholarship Driver Education Initiative Award $2026 ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

  8. Jul 27

    What Students Can and Can't Control in College Admissions + 6 Scholarships

    When Cheryl’s daughter’s junior year became overwhelming, her family was faced with a difficult situation. What started as a challenging semester soon became too much to manage, making it difficult for her daughter to continue attending classes and complete the term. Having purchased GradGuard Tuition Insurance before the semester, Cheryl’s family was able to navigate the process with support, compassion, and clear communication. Cheryl shares how simple the claims process felt, how helpful the team was along the way, and how receiving a tuition refund gave their family the time and flexibility to determine the best path forward. With the pressure of the semester lifted, her daughter was able to move at a pace that better supported her needs and is now doing fantastic. 🎓 To learn more about GradGuard Tuition Insurance, click here. ---------- Our Most Popular Program! The Scholarship Summer Camp is for high school students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Your student will learn the skills required for scholarship success by applying for real scholarships, including a $35,000 scholarship capstone project! Every Monday through Thursday, a new, pre-recorded lesson will be released. On Thursday evenings, we will be live (but recorded for future viewing), discussing the week’s lessons and taking Q&A. Here’s the agenda: Week 1: The Tools For Scholarship Success Week 2: Your Personal Narrative Week 3: Finding The Right Scholarships For You Week 4: Why Do You Deserve To Win This Scholarship? (Apply for a Real Scholarship This Week!) Week 5: Topical Scholarships (Apply for Another Real Scholarship This Week!) Week 6: $35,000 Capstone Scholarship Project! The Scholarship Summer Camp starts on July 27th, and registration will remain open through August 1st. Don’t worry, your student will easily be able to get caught up. Click here to learn more and to register today. ---------- Join Juno’s team of student loan experts as they offer guidance on the best approaches to pay for college in this webinar. We’ll cover how to increase your financial aid package, maximize scholarships, and decide between different loan options. Plenty of time will be allotted to questions, so bring yours! Click here to register for this free session on July 29, 2026 at 8pm ET. ---------- Featured Scholarships: $2000 World's Only Minecraft Scholarship Gen & Kelly Tanabe Think About Your Future Scholarship $1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship $1000 MoolahSPOT Scholarship $35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest $10,000 Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship ---------- Subscribe to our free newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship, here: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

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The Scholarship GPS Podcast features Dave The Scholarship Coach, who brings you the latest scholarship information, interviews with college-prep experts, and much more. It is perfect for students and parents who want to earn a debt-free college degree.

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