STUDENTS
Imagine Early is your opportunity to start building your future right now!
Your journey through Imagine Early will involve different activities each year, tailored to help you explore and prepare for your future:
4th – 6th Grades
Focus on goal setting, mastering core subjects, and starting to think about your interests.
7th – 8th Grades
Begin more targeted career and college exploration, including personal career inventories, high school course planning, and understanding personal finance.
9th – 12th Grades
Focus on goal setting, mastering core subjects, and starting to think about your interests.
From 4th to 8th grade, you can earn a total of $1,000 through Imagine Early! That includes scholarships for completing your schoolwork and savings matches for making deposits to your CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Account.
View all scholarship opportunities*
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total | |
4th Grade | |||||
Goal Setting | $10 | ||||
Reading assignments and reach goal in Q4 | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 | |
Math assignments and reach goal in Q4 | $20 | $20 | $20 | ||
Language Arts essays | $20 | $20 | |||
Savings Match (If $20 is deposited into 529 account each semester) | $20 | $30 | |||
$240 | |||||
5th Grade | |||||
Essay/Presentation | $20 | ||||
College Go Activity #1 | $25 | ||||
College Go Activity #2 | $25 | ||||
Savings Match (If $20 is deposited into 529 account each semester) | $20 | $30 | |||
$120 | |||||
6th Grade | |||||
Goal Setting | $10 | ||||
Reading, Math, and Language Arts assignments and reach 2 goals in Q4 | $35 | $35 | $35 | $35 | |
Essay/Presentation | $20 | ||||
College Go Activity #1 | $25 | ||||
College Go Activity #2 | $25 | ||||
Savings Match (If $20 is deposited into 529 account each semester) | $20 | $30 | |||
$270 | |||||
7th Grade | |||||
Essay/Presentation | $20 | ||||
College Go Activity #1 | $25 | ||||
College Go Activity #2 | $25 | ||||
Savings Match (If $20 is deposited into 529 account each semester) | $20 | $30 | |||
$120 | |||||
8th Grade | |||||
Personal Career Inventory | $20 | ||||
High School Course Planning | $20 | ||||
College Application Essay | $20 | ||||
Lifetime Earnings | $20 | ||||
Personal Finance | $20 | ||||
Compare College Costs | $20 | ||||
Pathways to Success | $20 | ||||
FAFSA 4Caster (parent) | $40 | ||||
Watch video: “Paying for Career Training / College” (parent) | $20 | ||||
Savings Match (If $20 is deposited into 529 account each semester) | $20 | $30 | |||
$250 | |||||
Total possible Early Award Scholarships for 4th-8th grade: | $1,000 |
*Rev. 8/22/23 – Subject to change
Viewing & Accessing Your Early Award Scholarship Fund
PRE-GRADUATION
Viewing Your Fund Statements
Your parent or guardian can log in to the Early Award Scholarship Fund Portal and show you your current fund balance and all past statements. Contact us when you are ready for your own login.
POST-GRADUATION
Accessing Your Scholarships
Students Who Applied for Other Community Foundation Scholarships
The Community Foundation offers more than 80 traditional scholarships that you can apply for with one form in your senior year of high school. If you applied for a Community Foundation scholarship, you’ll request your scholarships through the online Scholarship portal ↗ where you submitted your application.
Students Who Did NOT Apply for Other Community Foundation Scholarships
If you only have Imagine Early scholarships, you’ll request a grant directly through the online Early Award Scholarship fund portal.
How to Request a Grant
- Once logged in, navigate to the “Grant Recommendations” tab.
- Enter your college’s name under “Enter Grantee Information Manually” and hit “Submit.”
- On the next screen, for “Amount,” type the total amount shown in your fund.
- For “Attachment,” upload your official tuition bill (a photo from your phone works).
- Add a thank you note in the “Special Instructions” box, review your request, and then submit it. Contact us if you need help logging in.
INTRODUCING
Scholars of the Quarter!
This award is given each quarter to one student per grade at each Wabash County school for academic skills, persistence, positive pure leadership, good citizenship, or personal responsibility at school.
Looking for more learning opportunities?
Learning doesn’t have to stop at school! Check out our blog to see ideas for at-home learning by grade level.
FAQs for High School Graduates
May I submit an estimate instead of an official bill?
Official bills only. Be sure the bill shows all charges (tuition, room, board, fees) and all credits (all financial aid, scholarships, loans). Your bill might not arrive until fall.
How long will it take for my invoice to be paid?
If there are no issues with your request, the Community Foundation will mail a check to the school where you are enrolled approximately 10 business days after you submit your request.
What if I withdraw from classes after the Community Foundation has paid my school?
The school may issue a refund to the Community Foundation. Contact the Community Foundation for assistance.
What happens to my Imagine Early scholarship money if I do not request a grant by age 26?
Upon turning 26, the unused money in your Imagine Early Fund will be forfeited to the Community Foundation.
What does “qualifying post-secondary school” mean?
Imagine Early scholarship money can only be granted to institutions that accept federal student aid. A list of these qualifying schools is available at CollegeScorecard.ed.gov.
What educational expenses can my Imagine Early scholarship pay for?
Your scholarship can be used for tuition and fees. If your tuition and fees have already been paid, submit your tuition bill anyway as explained above and contact the Community Foundation to also submit a purchase receipt for required books, supplies, and equipment.
What educational expenses can my CollegeChoice 529 account pay for?
A list of qualified expenses can be found at this link:
CollegeChoiceDirect.com/home/frequently-asked-questions.html#whatqualifies.
How do I pay educational expenses out of my CollegeChoice 529 Direct account?
Call CollegeChoice at 1-866-485-9415 Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8 PM.
How do I pay educational expenses out of my CollegeChoice 529 Direct account?
Call CollegeChoice at 1-866-485-9415 Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8 PM.
For more FAQs, tips for using your scholarships, and details on your earning potential through Imagine Early, contact us today!