Future Planning Starts with One Step—and BigFuture Helps Students Take It

With a single action—saving a list of colleges on bigfuture.org—tens of thousands of students have opened a door to discover new possibilities. That small step helps students discover colleges they may not have considered, seek out information that brings their goals into focus, and even earn scholarship money to support their journeys. 

Students who take that first step toward planning life after high school often find it easier to take the next one—and the one after that. That progress might seem small, but when the future planning process begins to feel accessible, students keep going.  

It’s why step by step, BigFuture^® Scholarships provide the opportunity and support to dream big.   

BigFuture Scholarships launched in 2019 with a clear commitment: to provide financial support, and, just as important, inspire students to explore colleges, careers, and ways to pay for college.  

This year, BigFuture is extending that commitment with an increased investment in the scholarship program through the class of 2030—ensuring that even more students have the chance to get support as they plan their futures. 

Because over 30,000 high school students have won scholarships to date, educators in schools across the country have seen firsthand what research confirms: Students benefit when they have a simple road map and encouragement along the way. 

Students who complete any of six qualifying steps on bigfuture.org, such as starting a career or scholarship list, are eligible to win two $40,000 scholarships and many $500 scholarships each month.  

A study of BigFuture Scholarships compared $500 scholarship awardees to similar students who completed qualifying steps and didn’t win. The research shows that winning a scholarship meaningfully changes student behavior. In fact, awardees were more likely to complete future milestones. For example, students in the class of 2023 who took the qualifying step to start their college list were nearly 60% more likely to later complete a critical step for enrollment: the FAFSA^®. 

But what’s equally powerful is that the program creates a structure that motivates students to act before any dollars are awarded. Students tell us that one of the biggest reasons they take action on bigfuture.org is the opportunity to earn a scholarship that helps power their plans. 

The scholarship is a spark. And because the program has no essays, no minimum GPA, and no test score threshold, any student can benefit. 

Braylen, a junior at Judson High School in Converse, Texas, won a scholarship for starting his career list on bigfuture.org. He received the award earlier this year at a school assembly. Even then, he recognized the support this brings his family.  

“I felt every single little bit of enjoyment, every bit of euphoria that came with the hard work I’ve been trying to do,” said Braylen right after being surprised with a $40,000 scholarship. “I really tried to work hard for this. It means everything for me.” 

Helping students fund their futures is especially critical at a time when many families are worried about affordability.  

“I’m just humbled,” said his father. “I try and make sure he stays on the right path and let him be the role model for his younger brother. Things that he does, his brother will want to do as well, so this is amazing. That’s an understatement." 

These are the stories that fuel the expansion to reach more students and families. 

With BigFuture Scholarships, thousands of students will continue to receive the encouragement, guidance, and financial support that help them take that first step—and the next one—to turn exploration into action.