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Let's talk money!
Let's talk money!
It's not hard to understand why paying for college can be a challenge for many families, but that's where financial aid comes in . You don't have to do this alone! Financial aid is funding available to students and families to help pay for education expenses . It will likely be a combination of:
Free money that you don't have to pay back (scholarships and grants)
Borrowed money that you do have to pay back (loans) and
Earned money through a part time job offered to you through your school (work study).
You have to apply for financial aid every year you are in school. Each year the financial aid you receive will be based on the gap between how much you and your family can pay according to your FAFSA and the total cost of attendance at your particular college.
SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOLARSHIPS
10 Scholarship Tips
10 Scholarship Tips
Almost all universities have scholarship money to award. That money will all be used for deserving students, so you might as well be one of them! But you have to APPLY!
Scholarships aren't jut for the top students. Opportunities are there for students with a variety of interests, talents, religious beliefs, socio-economic backgrounds, and so forth. You get the idea. So get out there and search for the ones that fit YOU!
Even if you have great grades, you need to apply for funding. No one is going to do it for you. Apply for university and private scholarships, state and federal grants, tuition tax credits, and if necessary, investigate low interest loans. All of it adds up, but you HAVE to ask for it. No one will come looking for you.
Student loans do not affect your chances of winning a scholarship. You don't have to be a rock star or an Olympic medal winner to get scholarships, but you do have to be persistent in looking for them, and you do have to fill out the applications, get them in on time and probably write an essay. Those who spend the time and energy are usually rewarded.
Choose scholarships that fit you best. Don't waste your time on the ones that you don't even qualify for!
Be sure your application has everything that is being requested. Check spelling, tone, and grammar again and again and again before sending it.
Submit an essay that is right for the scholarship application. Don't just submit a one-size-fits-all essay. Specifically tell them in your essay the reasons this one is right for you.
Be sure you provide the correct email address and that you have their correct email address. Check your inbox often for messages.
Keep your grades up. They may ask for another submission of grades if you are a finalist!
Go out there and be inspired to achieve. You can do it!
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES
This site offers over $3 billion in scholarship awards, which could put you on the right track to financing your education - and fast! To start your search, be sure to fill out the detailed questionnaire on the site to narrow down specific awards that satisfy your financial needs. While you're browsing the College Board's scholarship selection, see if you're eligible to apply for the Coca-Cola Community Colleges Academic Scholarship! If you're at a small, local school this $1000 - $2000 award could be right up your alley.
This is a good site to use in high school to help you narrow down your college search, but it is still helpful during your undergrad years, offering aple scholarship opportunities and financial advice. When you get to college, it bumps you up to "College Pro" status, where you can apply for a $2,500 College Pro exclusive scholarship!
Every scholarship you'll find through Scholarship Search has been approved b our team- they're all current, and new scholarships are added every month. To use this site, create your profile and make updates any time. Get matched with scholarships based on your skills, activities, and interests. Get email alerts when scholarships matching your profile are posted.
At this site, you can rack up points through a rewards system, making you eligible for different scholarships according to how many points you have earned. Members can earn points through fun, day-to-day activities like reading blogs, taking quizes and playing online games. It offers monthly and annual scholarships, but you have to log in and use it to be eligible.
This is a terrific, free resource with thousands of scholarships at your fingertips. Not only does Fastweb offer a massive database of monetary awards, but it also features helpful career planning services and learning tools for its registered users.
This free site claims that more than 1 million students access their site and it provides scholarship awards worth in excess of $3 billion from more than 4,000 sources. It is easy to use and provides updates often.
Search lists of scholarships by choosing a category or get matched to college scholarships you are eligible for. Open to all high school and college students. Simply log on or create a free account. Some of these are "no essay" scholarships.
From tips on hosw to win college scholarships, to ACT/SAT prep, college admissions advice, how to find easy scholarships and other important financial aid information, this website covers it all. Dive in to find out all yo need to know about deciding which college is right for you, and how to prepare for attending that college.
This link provides students with direct connections to schools and programs suiting their educational goals through program rankings. Rankings are intended to inform and guide prospective students toward institutions that provide a quality education and a meaningful learning experience at an affordable cost. It also hosts a wide array of free college planning financial aid, and career resources to help all students get the most from their education and prepare for the world after college.
This site is an online database of scholarships, grants, and fun contests for undergrads to enter and (hopefully) win. On top of offering great scholarships, SuperCollege also offers no-nonsense guides like "How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay" and "More Easy Ways to Save Money in College." This is literally a one-stop site for college -aspiring students.
This is a wonderful resource for college students who aspire to kill two birds with one stone - the site finds both scholarships and colleges that are perfect for you! If you're looking to transfer to a school that is dying to recruit you and offer you scholarships, this is the site to visit. The site allows you to pinpoint specific scholarships by your major, year in school and location, increasing your chances for receiving awards and saving you tons of time.
MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide
MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide is a free, informative guide for students, parents, and educators with an extensive list of scholarships, many that do not inquire about immigration status.
THE FAFSA
THE FAFSA
The colleges or universities to which you apply decide how much and what types of financial aid to offer you. That's where FAFSA comes in. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the primary form you will need to apply for most financial aid.
It's the foundation on which colleges determine your financial aid package - that includes from the US Government (federal funds), the state of Texas (state funds), and the individual college or university (institution-specific funds).
THE TASFA
THE TASFA
If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to citizenship status, check with the colleges where you are applying to see if they will accept the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). Undocumented students meeting certain conditions may be classified as Texas residents for the purpose of in-state tuition and some state (not federal ) aid. This is an alternative form that can be used to apply for state aid programs. The TASFA form and the details about who should use it can be found at the link below.
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