National Decision Day Over: 300+ Colleges Accepting Students

National Decision Day, or College Signing Day, has come and gone, but there are still high school seniors who are undecided about where they’ll spend the first year of their higher education. Fortunately, there are hundreds of colleges still accepting incoming freshmen and transfer applicants. Each year, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) releases its annual report, College Openings Update: Options for Qualified Students. This list features colleges that are still accepting incoming freshmen as well as transfer college applications. The list not only specifies which colleges are still open to accepting students, it also highlights which schools still have housing and financial aid left for late applicants. This is paramount to counselors, parents, and students who are still searching. Students can also filter the schools by location in order to find the college closest to them. This list will be available to educators and families through the summer, meaning students that are still on the fence have plenty of time to consider whether college is the right next step for them. Additionally, students that change their mind about their current choice can utilize the list to find a different institution. If you’re interested in one of the colleges on NACAC’s College Openings Update, simply reach out to the Admissions Officer listed.

Continue the Scholarship Search in College

If you’ve made your college decision, congratulations! You will likely select housing, finalize your financial aid and student loan package, and start buying college dorm room décor in the next few weeks. But there’s something else you need to do too: continue the scholarship search. Oftentimes, students limit their scholarship search to their junior and senior year of high school. However, there are thousands of award opportunities for college students, some of which are very lucrative. College students should devote as much time as possible to finding new scholarships to apply for each year that they’re enrolled. A big award could drastically change what you’re paying for college – why would you pass up that opportunity? With that, make sure you’re updating your Fastweb profile with every new club you join, semester you pass, or part-time job or internship you secure. Check your Scholarship Matches frequently to see new awards. Finally, make a goal to apply to 1-2 scholarship per week. The more you apply to, the better your chances of actually winning. You’ve survived the college admissions process. Now it’s time to turn your attention to your scholarship search.