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Scholarship & career prep

FAFSA, scholarships, resumes, interviews, and college money planning — with links to official resources and MoneyQuest lessons.

Also try rent & student loan calculators, career paths, and finance careers.

Prep checklist

  • File FAFSA when the window opens

    Many aid programs use FAFSA — not just loans. Earlier is often better for limited grants.

  • Search local scholarships first

    Community foundations, employers, and clubs often have smaller pools — less competition than national mega-scholarships.

  • Draft a one-page resume

    Include school, clubs, volunteer work, and measurable wins (hours, sales, grades). No fluff.

  • Practice 5 common interview questions

    Tell me about yourself, a challenge you solved, why this job/school, strengths, and a time you worked on a team.

  • Compare net price, not sticker price

    Use each school's net price calculator — grants and scholarships can change the real cost a lot.

  • Estimate loan payments before you borrow

    Use the student loan calculator on /tools — monthly payment should fit a realistic starting salary.

  • Budget your first paycheck

    Split take-home pay: needs, savings, fun. Know taxes and direct deposit before day one.

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FAFSA & aid

FAFSA & federal student aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid unlocks grants, work-study, and federal loans. You need it even if you think you won't qualify.

  1. Create your FSA ID at studentaid.gov (student and parent if dependent)
  2. Gather tax returns, W-2s, and bank balances for the aid year
  3. List schools you're considering — they receive your SAR
  4. Review your Student Aid Report and fix errors quickly

Related lessons: 3-10, 6-3, 3-20

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Scholarships

Finding scholarships that fit you

Scholarships are free money — but they take research. Match your background, major, and activities instead of applying to everything.

  1. Ask your school counselor about local and school-specific awards
  2. Search state grant programs and community foundations
  3. Use reputable databases — never pay to apply or for a 'guaranteed' list
  4. Track deadlines in a spreadsheet; reuse essays with careful tailoring

Related lessons: 6-3, 3-10, 8-9

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Scholarships

Scholarship essays that stand out

Judges read hundreds of essays. Specific stories beat generic praise; show growth and how money skills connect to your goals.

  1. Answer the prompt directly in the first paragraph
  2. Use one concrete story — numbers and details help
  3. Explain how the award helps your next step (school, trade program, gap plan)
  4. Proofread aloud; ask a teacher or mentor to review

Related lessons: 6-3, 8-9

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Career prep

Teen resume & LinkedIn basics

Your first resume highlights reliability, skills, and activities — not decades of work history.

  1. Lead with contact info and a short objective or summary
  2. Education first; add GPA only if strong and requested
  3. Bullets: action verb + what you did + result (e.g. 'Raised $400 for club fundraiser')
  4. Keep one page; save as PDF with a clear filename

Related lessons: 3-9, 3-19, 8-9

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Career prep

Interview prep for jobs & internships

Interviews test fit and professionalism as much as skills. Prepare stories and questions to ask them.

  1. Research the company or program — know their mission and recent news
  2. Prepare STAR stories: Situation, Task, Action, Result
  3. Dress one step up; arrive (or log in) 5–10 minutes early
  4. Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours

Related lessons: 3-9, 8-9, 8-1

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College planning

Compare college costs honestly

Sticker price misleads. Focus on net price, living costs, and debt you'll carry after graduation.

  1. Run net price calculators for each school on your list
  2. Add rent, food, books, and travel — use the rent calculator on /tools
  3. Compare total debt to expected starting salary in your field
  4. Consider community college, certificates, and trade paths — not just four-year

Related lessons: 6-3, 3-10, 3-20

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College planning

Borrow smart — federal vs private

Federal loans usually have better protections and repayment options. Private loans are harder to forgive or adjust.

  1. Accept grants and scholarships first; then work-study if it fits
  2. Prefer federal subsidized/unsubsidized loans before private lenders
  3. Borrow only what you need — living like a student, not a influencer
  4. Estimate payments with /tools before signing

Related lessons: 6-3, 3-10, 3-20

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First job

First paycheck & workplace money

W-4, direct deposit, and benefits matter from day one. A job is also your first real budget lab.

  1. Understand gross vs net pay and what's withheld for taxes
  2. Set up direct deposit — split to savings if your bank allows
  3. Ask about 401(k) or retirement only if offered; know vesting rules
  4. Build a tiny emergency fund before lifestyle upgrades

Related lessons: 3-9, 3-19, 3-20, 4-1

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Career prep

Gap year with a money plan

A gap year can build skills and savings — or drain them. Budget travel, insurance, and a return date.

  1. Set a monthly budget and savings target before you go
  2. Keep health coverage — stay on a parent plan if eligible or research options
  3. Document skills for future applications (languages, service, work)
  4. Pick a firm date to apply for school, trade program, or next job

Related lessons: 3-19, 6-4, 8-9