Our mission

The Founder

Deborah is a first-generation college graduate and the daughter of a single mother who worked hard as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to provide for their family. Growing up, paying for college was not something her family could afford.

Without savings, a roadmap, or someone to show her how the process worked, Deborah had to figure out college and scholarships on her own. She spent countless nights researching scholarships, writing essays, and applying over and over again because she knew she needed to find a way to make college possible.

Her hard work paid off. Deborah was accepted to Florida State University and earned major scholarships, including awards from Burger King and McDonald’s, as well as institutional merit aid, which helped make it possible for her to attend college.

Today, Deborah is a former educator with more than a decade of experience. She currently works with school districts as an edtech partner and is the author of children’s books. She founded The Scholarship Strategy because she knows firsthand how overwhelming the scholarship process can feel when you do not have someone to guide you.

Her goal is simple: to help students and families approach scholarships with a clear plan, spend their time wisely, and feel more confident throughout the process.