The SAGE Scholars Newsroom
Financial Wellness & Planning
Preparing for college means more than just academic planning-it also means understanding your finances. In this section, we break down the essentials of saving, budgeting, credit, and investing to help families and students make informed choices. Whether you're starting early or catching up, our guidance can help you strengthen your financial foundation for college and beyond.
Featured Stories
Articles & Advice
The College Student's Guide to Investing
Explore beginner-friendly investment options and practical ways to grow your savings while in school.
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Articles & Advice
Budgeting Basics for Teens: An Introduction to Managing Your Money
This guide introduces teens to the basics of budgeting by helping them track their income and spending.
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Articles & Advice
A Parent's Guide: Understanding the Costs of College
Understanding the full cost of college involves more than just tuition; parents should account for fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses.
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Articles & Advice
College Funding: Discussing Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities With Ninth and Tenth Graders
Starting discussions about financial aid and scholarships with ninth and tenth graders helps set expectations for college funding.
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Newsroom
Latest Articles in Financial Wellness & Planning
Scholarships: Freshman Year - A Strong Foundation for Future Wins
By: John Varady
Most students wait until senior year to apply for scholarships-then panic. Start in freshman year and you can build the grades, activities, and habits needed to confidently apply and win later.
Tags: scholarships
Scholarships: Sophomore Year - Direction and Depth
By: John Varady
Sophomore year is when you narrow your focus and commit. Show early leadership, track your impact, and move in the direction that wins scholarships.
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Scholarships: Junior Year - Gearing Up for the Big Game
By: John Varady
Junior year is prep year. Learn about the Four-Essay System, set up your Scholarship Tracker pipeline, and test run the process before senior year hits.
Tags: scholarships
Scholarships: Senior Year - Applying at Scale
By: John Varady
Senior year is go time. Learn the weekly routine that turns your prep into submitted applications, how to customize essays fast, and how to win without burning out.
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Scholarships: College Years - Keep the Wins Coming
By: John Varady
Most students stop applying after high school-use that advantage. Keep searching for college scholarships, protect renewals, and stack wins year over year.
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Scholarships: Finding Money That Others Miss
By: John Varady
Stop competing with thousands on national sites. Learn where hidden scholarships live—local awards, employer programs, and niche opportunities with better odds.
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Scholarships: Documenting Your Story
By: John Varady
Build a scholarship-ready student profile with your achievements, goals, and story in one place. Never start from scratch on applications again.
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Scholarships: Four Essays That Win
By: John Varady
Develop four core essays covering Challenge, Leadership, Community, and Future and you'll never write a scholarship essay from scratch again.
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Scholarships: The Application Machine
By: John Varady
Turn scholarship applications into a weekly system. Find, sort, and submit at scale with a workflow that lets you apply to 50+ awards without burning out.
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Scholarships: Thank-Yous, Renewals, and Follow-Ups
By: John Varady
Don't stop after you win. Protect renewals, stay connected with donors, and turn thank-you notes into internships, recommendations, and future opportunities.
Tags: scholarships
Editor’s Picks
From the Financial Wellness & Planning Archives
Why You Should Thrift in College
Articles & Advice
This article will explore some of the perks of thrift shopping and tips for doing it well.
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Financing a Vehicle as a College Student
Articles & Advice
This article will teach you all you need to know when it comes to financing a vehicle as a college student.
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FastTrak
Articles & Advice
What if colleges applied to you? Seems counterintuitive, right? It's not.
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