College Board’s BigFuture Scholarships awards entries into scholarship drawings to students in the Class of 2027 who complete college-planning activities on their accounts. It is not a need-based scholarship automatically granted for completing a form: each qualifying task earns an entry into random drawings for $500 or $40,000. The rules set dates across Fall 2026, so this guide separates tasks whose deadlines have passed from those still available. The College Board profile links to the dashboard and complete contest rules.
Students with a planned high-school graduation date in 2027 may participate if they attend a public, private, or home school located in the United States, its territories, or a DoWEA school covered by the rules. There is no GPA or essay requirement for completing the tasks. To receive an award, a student must remain eligible, be selected at random, and pass verification. Students classified as lower income—through SAT fee-waiver eligibility, attendance in a high-poverty school district, or family adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less—may also enter additional drawings.
As of October 12, 2026, tasks with future deadlines include saving at least three careers and three scholarships to BigFuture lists by November 30; strengthening a college list with three “reach,” two “match,” and one “safety” schools by October 31; completing and submitting the FAFSA or an allowed state form between October 1 and November 30; and applying to two colleges during that same window. The initial three-college-list task closed June 30, 2026, so students who missed it should not count it as a new remaining opportunity.
The rules list 45 monthly $500 awards and 45 additional monthly awards for lower-income students. They also provide for one $40,000 award every two months and an additional award in that lower-income category in alternating months. Winners are selected at random, and odds depend on the number of valid entries. Completing steps does not guarantee an award. College Board pays by check to an eligible Title IV institution, not as unrestricted cash for everyday expenses. Students should keep proof of FAFSA submission and college applications because it may be requested to verify a selection.
To participate, sign in or create a College Board account, save each task in the dashboard, and confirm that it appears complete before the deadline. Unselected entries may roll into the next applicable drawing under the rules; some college-list activities have already closed, and FAFSA and college-application entries are limited to the stated dates. A mail-in alternative is also available with its own limits and steps. Review the privacy terms, official rules, and winner-notification process before sharing information: these drawings do not replace the FAFSA, state-aid applications, or a broader scholarship search.
BigFuture Scholarships — Class of 2027 — College Board BigFuture.
BigFuture Scholarships Official Rules — Class of 2027 — College Board.
Informational guide based on official sources checked on October 12, 2026. Programs, awards, deadlines, and eligibility may change; confirm the current cycle on the official site before submitting information.
Use the dashboard to confirm valid entries before October 31 and November 30; tasks provide drawing chances, not a guaranteed scholarship.
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College Board — BigFuture Scholarships
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Students with an expected 2027 high-school graduation date can earn drawing entries by completing BigFuture planning tasks. Drawings are random and include $500 and $40,000 awards, with additional drawings for lower-income entrants under the official definition. Tasks require no essay or minimum GPA, but winning is not guaranteed and funds go to a Title IV institution.
National scholarship-drawing program for high-school students
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
College Board BigFuture · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
College Board · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
College Board BigFuture · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of College Board — BigFuture Scholarships ↗
Primary source
College Board · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of College Board — BigFuture Scholarships ↗
Primary source
College Board · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.