Living March 31, 2021

These kids were surprised with college scholarships. Here's how you can apply

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The College Board is taking its goal to help students transition from high school to college one step further -- by offering to help them pay for tuition.

The not-for-profit organization launched the College Board Opportunity Scholarship in 2018 to provide students with the chance to earn money for college by completing various parts of the application process.

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It outlines the six most important steps: building your college list, practicing for the SAT, exploring scholarships, strengthening your college list, completing the FAFSA and applying to colleges.

Completion of each step earns students an entry into separate $500 drawings. If students make it through all six, they'll also be entered to receive $40,000.

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According to the College Board, "The six steps in this program help students plan by making a good starter list of schools, help them prepare so they can take their best shot, and help them pay for college."

Since the scholarship program began, more than 1 million students have participated and over $10 million in scholarships have been awarded.

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The program is currently open to high school students in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories -- regardless of citizenship -- that will be graduating in 2022. While there are no income requirements for entry, at least half of all scholarships are reserved for families who make less than $60,000 a year.

Students can visit this website to plan for their "BigFuture" and take the first step by building their college list by June 30 to be eligible for the next $40,000 scholarship, which will be awarded spring 2022.