If you are getting ready to attend college I'm sure you are wondering how on earth you are going to pay for it. Even graduating high school students are more and more often finding that they need to contribute in some manner to their college educations.
Whether you will be
taking out student loans, applying for scholarships or grants, or praying for
some sort of work study program to come along there are a few things you need
to know about financial aid at the college level.
First of all, financial
aid can be a tricky beast. For this reason it is best to apply early and keep
records of everything you send to the financial aid office. The information age
has made things easier on one level and yet has eliminated the personal factor
on other levels.
However, if you own a
personal computer you will find that Internet is an excellent source for
financial aid and scholarship information. While the government offers a wide
array of financial aid resources, there are many opportunities for you to get
an education that do not revolve around government funding. You simply need to
spend the time finding them.
Your local community is
an excellent resource and a good place to start when it comes to financial
opportunities for those preparing to attend college. Civic organizations and
local businesses like to give out scholarships to promising students. Many of
these have very specific requirements and you should pay close attention that
you meet the qualifications before applying.
There is no sense in
wasting your time and that of the scholarship committee by applying for
scholarships for which you do not qualify. Scholarships are preferable to
student loans, as they do not need to be repaid. This is one of the most
important things you need to understand when seeking financial aid for college.
Loans are killers to your
income for the first several years after graduation. The fewer loans you can
manage to take out for your education the better. They are however there for
those who couldn't possibly afford an education without them.
If you don't find the
scholarships you are hoping to at the local level, you should check with the
county in which you live, your state, and the school you plan to attend. There
are excellent resources for each of these when it comes to financial aid.
Within the college you
will be attending you should consult your department head (for your chosen major)
in order to see if there are any scholarships available. You will be surprised
at the number of scholarships for which you may qualify. Apply for all that you
meet the requirements in order to apply.
Competition for these
scholarships is often fierce but you never know when your letter of application
might spark the interest of one of the panel members or you simply might be the
most impressive candidate.
When applying for
scholarships remember to read all the instructions carefully, make sure you
have all the necessary documentation and that you have checked and rechecked
everything for accuracy and clarity. It takes time to make corrections and they
can often be the difference in your being awarded a scholarship and the honor
going to another student.
Scholarships are by far
the best route to go when it comes to applying for financial aid but you should
be careful that you aren't placing all your eggs in one basket. Try for
multiple scholarships, work-study programs, grants, and if necessary loans in
order to achieve your educational goals.
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