BigFuture Opens Scholarship Opportunities for the Class of 2029, Starting with a Vision for the Future

College Board

• October 21, 2026

What do you enjoy? What matters to you? What kind of future can you imagine for yourself? Starting today, high school sophomores can explore those questions and qualify for a chance to win $40,000 for college through BigFuture^® scholarships.

College Board's BigFuture is opening scholarship eligibility to the class of 2029 earlier than any previous class, giving students more time to explore their options and take steps toward life after high school. Students can qualify by taking any of the six qualifying steps, beginning with Vision Builder, a new, free tool that takes about 5 to 10 minutes and helps them reflect on their values, interests, and aspirations.

Students don't need a college list, a career goal, or a fully formed plan to get started. By completing the Build Your Vision step, eligible sophomores with a College Board account can enter drawings for BigFuture scholarships. Each month, the program awards two $40,000 scholarships and hundreds of $500 scholarships to high school students nationwide. No essays, test scores, or minimum GPAs are required.

"Asking a teenager what they want to do after high school can feel like asking them to map out their whole life," said Amy Reitz, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. "We want to give students room to explore. They can start with what they enjoy and what matters to them, discover possibilities they may never have considered, and have a chance to earn money for college along the way."

Small steps, more possibilities

For the class of 2029, BigFuture scholarships connect six planning steps to chances to win, with steps becoming available as students move through November of their senior year:

• Build Your Vision: Think about your interests, values, and hopes for the future.
• Take the College Quiz: Get college recommendations based on your preferences.
• Start Your College List: Discover two- and four-year colleges that could fit you.
• Start Your Career List: Explore careers that match your interests.
• Find Your College Fit: Consider colleges based on your priorities and outcomes.
• Start Your Scholarship List: Find more ways to pay for college.

Students in the classes of 2027 and 2028 can continue qualifying through their existing steps, which include exploring careers and colleges, finding scholarships, completing the FAFSA^®, and applying to college.

Helping more students move forward

By 2030 BigFuture will have awarded more than $32 million in scholarships. More than 30,000 students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have received BigFuture scholarships. Most awards have gone to students from lower-income backgrounds, though family income is not a criterion to win.

Students can visit BigFuture.org to create or sign in to a College Board account, build their vision, and take other steps to qualify.

About College Board
College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org.

Contact:
College Board Communications
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