Northeast High School senior Zhane Wiggins knew she was supposed to attend an assembly with her fellow seniors this morning to hear representatives of the College Board speak about college scholarship opportunities. She soon found out that was only part of the story.
A few minutes into the assembly, College Board officials surprised Zhane with the news that she had won one of two monthly $40,000 BigFuture 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 and personalize their plan for their future with resources to explore careers, plan for college, and pay for college.
“I’m so shocked. I was not expecting it at all,” Zhane said moments after the assembly concluded. “When she said my name, I just completely froze.”
Zhane’s mother, Lakeshia Major, was at the school this morning partially under the guise of watching her daughter and her cheerleading teammates cheer at the outset of the assembly. She also was surprised by the news.
A member of Northeast’s AVID program, Human Performance Signature Program, and cheerleading team, Zhane plans to pursue a career in physical therapy and already has an internship. The University of Maryland, Texas A&M, North Carolina A&T, James Madison University and UCF are among the colleges she is considering.
With the rising concern from families about 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.
“BigFuture Scholarships celebrate students who are taking the steps they need to own their futures,” BigFuture Senior Vice President Amy Reitz said. “Whether they are starting their career, college, or scholarships lists, BigFuture is here to provide resources that support student aspirations. We want to help more students like Zhane navigate the path toward a great career and the education to make it a reality.”
Students are eligible to win $500 and $40,000 BigFuture 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 family income or GPA requirements. As importantly, students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year earn double the entries for every drawing.
"Zhane is a well-deserving student who has thrived in the AVID program throughout high school,” Northeast AVID Site Coordinator Elizabeth Parker said. “She is a dedicated cheerleader for Northeast and also competes outside of school. Zhane challenges herself through the AACC dual enrollment program and gains valuable experience interning at a local physical therapy office. Her positive attitude is contagious and will carry her far in the future.”
College Board has awarded more than $23 million to more than 24,000 students since 2019. Students in the classes of 2026 and 2027 can get started at www.bigfuture.org.