The Scholar Budget - Helping Students Navigate Finances & Earn a Debt-Free Degree

33 l Closing the College Opportunity Gap with SEO Scholars

Hello There!
Meet Percio Pichardo, Senior Manager of Recruitment and Retention for SEO Scholars. We discussed the amazing free eight-year program that aims to close the opportunity gap for underserved students. The SEO program provides academic support, mentoring, career development, and college readiness opportunities. The program guarantees that students who apply and enroll will attend a four-year college. SEO Scholars offers ongoing support throughout high school and college, including personalized academic advisement, career exploration, internships, and professional skill-building.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I will show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
 
Love Rocky!
 
Next steps :
Learn About SEO:  https://www.seo-usa.org/scholars/
Fill Out The Miami Interest Form:https://forms.seo-usa.org/4937717
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

32 l Season 2, Scholarships, FAFSA & More

Hello There!
In season two of the Scholar Budget Podcast, we focus on providing information and resources to help students earn a debt-free degree. The stacking method, dual enrollment, and other methods are key ingredients to a debt-free college degree. We also emphasize the importance of completing the FAFSA application and addressing mental health and wellness in relation to scholarships and academic success. 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree!
Love Rocky! 
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

31 l 4 Summer Scholarship Money Tips

Hello There!
Is it me, or did the summer get here faster than expected? Living in Miami makes it feel like the summer started three weeks ago. This is the time to start preparing for the beach, vacations, and getting scholarship ready. Learn what you can start doing right now to prepare for scholarship success. Don’t wait; this is your time to prepare for a debt-free degree.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky!
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
 
 

30 l ChatGPT and Scholarships

Hello There!
This is one of those episodes that can save you time, money, and disappointment. Using AI tools like ChatGPT for scholarship essays is not recommended. Scholarship organizations are looking for authentic and honest stories from students, which AI cannot provide. Relying on AI tools can lead to negative consequences, such as being caught for plagiarism. Instead, listen to find out what you can do to start securing scholarships and earn a debt-free degree.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

29 I Money Matters: Eric Smith's Tips for Financial Success and Empowerment

Hi Friends!
Happy Financial Literacy Month!
Let's talk with Eric Smith, a financial literacy coach who shares his journey from being a banker to teaching money management skills to NFL players, NBA players, college athletes, and other groups. He emphasizes the importance of cash flow management as the first step to financial success and cautions against borrowing more than necessary for college expenses. Eric makes financial literacy engaging and fun by focusing on the audience, using humor, and incorporating interactive activities. He shares memorable experiences, such as being the first to do a financial book club with NFL rookies and providing free credit counseling to mothers in distress. Eric's goal is to empower individuals to take control of their finances and improve their lives. 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Connect with Eric: https://thefinancialliteracycoach.com/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

28 l Progressive Opportunities Provides Scholarship Support and Resources to Florida's Underserved Youth

Hello Friends!
In this episode, Shaundrea Dixon, the founder of Progressive Opportunities, Inc., shares her mission to provide pre-college resources and scholarships to low-income students and families in Florida. She aims to break the misconception that low-income students cannot afford college and provides free guidance and resources to help them access scholarships. Shaundrea emphasizes the importance of local scholarships and offers personalized support to students in their scholarship application process. She also highlights the positive impact her organization has had on students' academic growth and personal development. Listeners are encouraged to get involved with Progressive Opportunities and to never count themselves out when applying for scholarships.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Connect with Progressive Opportunities: https://progressiveopportunities.org/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

27 l Early Bird Scholarships: How Starting Young Leads to Scholarship Success

Hey There!
Starting early is key when it comes to applying for scholarships. Scholarships and contests are available for students from elementary school to high school. By starting early, students can develop important skills and understand the value of scholarships. Let’s cover the opportunities for elementary and middle school students, including the Doodle for Google Contest, Gloria Baron Prize for Young Heroes, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program, and DoSomething.org. Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky!
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

26 l Beyond Boundaries: Transforming Lives with BAFTX Scholarships & Programs

Hello Friends!
Listen as Kay Thomson, the Executive Director of the British American Foundation of Texas (BAFTX), discusses the organization's mission to offer scholarships and programming to underserved scholars in Texas. We discuss the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the impact of scholarships on students' lives. Kay also provides tips for scholarship applications and encourages students and families to never give up on pursuing education.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Next steps :
Connect: https://baftx.org/   &   https://www.instagram.com/baftx/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/

25 l How to Secure 60K In Scholarships with Rachel Labi

Hello Friends,
Rachel Labi, a finance student at Purdue University, shares her strategies for winning over $60,000 in scholarships. She emphasizes the importance of finding scholarships through personal research and leveraging personal affiliations and identities. Rachel advises students to be good storytellers and to highlight their unique experiences and passions in their scholarship applications. She encourages students to overcome challenges and view them as opportunities.
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Next steps :
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/
 

24 l Becca’s Closet Dresses Dreams & Funds A College Education

Hi There!
Pam Kirtman, the mother of Rebecca Kirtman, discusses Becca's Closet, a non-profit organization that provides dresses and scholarships to high school students in need.  We cover the mission of Becca's Closet, its impact on girls, and the criteria for awarding scholarships. Pam shares the inspiration behind Rebecca's project and the importance of continuing her legacy. She also highlights the need for dresses and encourages listeners to get involved with Becca's Closet through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness. 
Grab your favorite notepad and pen. I’m about to show you how to earn a debt-free degree and make smart money moves.
Love Rocky! 
Next steps :
Connect: https://www.beccascloset.org/  &  https://www.instagram.com/beccascloset/
Connect: thescholarbudget@gmail.com
Learn: www.scholarbudget.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescholarbudget/