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 the 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 does 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 the 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 of
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.