The Frisco Education Foundation class of 2018 scholarship application opens November 27 (the Monday after Thanksgiving break) at 10 a.m. and will close on December 15 at 4 p.m. Although there is just a three week window to apply, there are no exceptions on the submittal time or date.

“The scholarship application is a comprehensive application but it encompasses many of the questions that the seniors have already answered when applying to other scholarship entities or in their college admission applications,” program specialist Terri West said via email. “We have also noticed over the years, no matter the window for submission of the application, trend shows a majority of the applicants procrastinate to either begin, complete, or submit their application. Longer window, more time to procrastinate.”

According to West, the class of 2017 submitted a total of 1129 applications, with a large number of submissions on the due date, causing a slowdown of the system.

“Procrastinating only leads to transference of urgency to those you are asking a recommendation of, including your teachers, and the possibility of not completing all of the required components of the application in order to submit before the deadline,” West said.

The Foundation partners with corporations, booster clubs, and other groups to provide scholarships for Frisco students and the donors provide criteria that is worked into the application.

“Last year the Frisco Education Foundation awarded 829 scholarships to 655 FISD seniors totaling over $671,000,” West said. “Each year the number of scholarships awarded varies but FEF is on track to award just as many if not more scholarships to the class of 2018. The number of scholarships awarded is directly relating to funding. This is why FEF works hard to raise funds in the community and with events such as the Frisco Education Foundation Fun Run in memory of Gary Burns.”

The scholarships are blindly reviewed and scored by the scholarship committee and the application processing runs from December up until Scholarship Night in May.

“I’m applying because I want to be able to have more resources for my college adventure,” senior Max Fu said. “I’m usually not too optimistic about scholarships because I did one before and I didn’t win that one, but I’m just hoping for the best and do as many as I can.”