HCHS Student Wins $40K BigFuture Scholarship for Taking College and Career Planning Steps

College Board’s BigFuture announced that Hart County High School student Jada Phelps
has earned one of two monthly $40,000 scholarships for completing key college and career planning steps.

BigFuture is a free, online resource that helps students take the right first step after high school.

“It was very shocking,” Jada said after learning she had won the scholarship. “I’m very happy and very grateful for it.”

Figuring out the right step after high school can feel overwhelming. And when every student’s path to what comes next is unique, it can also feel complicated. BigFuture helps millions of students personalize their plan for their future with resources to explore careers, plan for college, and pay for college.

Driven by insights from real students, educators, and industry leaders, and backed by over 100 years of College Board research, BigFuture has the information students need, all in one place.

With the rising concern from families on how to afford plans after high school for college and a career, BigFuture helps encourage students to take important actions toward their future.

Every month, BigFuture scholarships reward students who complete steps in the planning process—with more than $16 million granted since the program launched in December 2018.

“When it comes to planning for life after high school, students benefit when discovery is paired with action. It’s why BigFuture Scholarships reward students as they explore colleges and careers that might be right for them,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “And when the steps can be taken by any student, regardless of where they are on their journey, more students can join Jada Phelps on the path to a big future.”

And winning matters. Students who win BigFuture Scholarships are more likely to complete key subsequent steps in the future planning process in comparison to students who complete early milestones but don’t win.

The BigFuture Scholarships are unique and the requirements to qualify are simple. Students are eligible to win $500 and $40,000 scholarships they can use at two- or four-year institutions.

Students don’t have to submit an essay or test score, and eligibility is not tied to citizenship status, family income, or GPA requirements.

As importantly, students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year earn double the
entries for every drawing.

“As educators, we constantly seek ways to empower our students to carve out their paths toward success.

Jada Phelps’ remarkable achievement of winning the $40,000 BigFuture Scholarship is a testament to the impact of proactive college and career planning,” Hart County Charter System Superintendent Jennifer Carter said. “By leveraging resources like BigFuture, students like Jada not only navigate the complexities of post-secondary options, but also unlock incredible opportunities for their future. Congratulations, Jada, on
this well-deserved honor.”