Financial Aid Tips
wondering how to pay for college?
Earning a college degree is a great investment for your future, and luckily there are ways to make that degree more affordable!
Follow Our 9 Tips to Make an Affordable College Degree a Reality:
The FAFSA form is how you and your parents submit financial information so the government can determine what federal financial aid you can receive. Even if you think your family won’t qualify, submit your FAFSA anyway. This information is needed to qualify you for other federal grants, institutional grants, and student loans.
Check out www.studentaid.ed.gov to learn about the types of aid available and how to complete your FAFSA online to save time!
Don't procrastinate! Many colleges and universities have a priority filing date for financial aid (usually early spring). They need your information by that date to begin awarding some financial aid options, like work study, that are more limited.
Virtually every college shares scholarship information on its website, so you can quickly see what you are eligible for based on your ACT/SAT scores and GPA. Often, these scholarships take no extra work – if you meet the qualifications, you’re automatically awarded the money.
Virtually every college shares scholarship information on its website, so you can quickly see what you are eligible for based on your ACT/SAT scores and GPA. Often, these scholarships take no extra work – if you meet the qualifications, you’re automatically awarded the money.
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Many applications ask for similar information, so you can save tons of time by writing one or two essays that can be used for all of them. Also, make sure to have reference letters, extracurricular lists and volunteer experience ready, so they are easy to add to each submission.
Apply for any eligible scholarships, regardless of the amount. A $500 award may not seem like much, but when you earn three or four smaller scholarships, you’re saving thousands of dollars.
Several academic majors, such as teaching and public service, offer programs to help you pay for your education. For example, the federal TEACH grant gives education majors $4,000/year when they focus on high-need areas, like science, math and special education.
See if the schools you’re interested in offer part-time employment or work study positions. Since these jobs are located conveniently on campus and typically only require 6-10 hours per week, they can help you make extra money while still focusing on your studies.
If you have questions, call the colleges on your prospect list. In addition to telling you about the scholarships and aid available at that college, the staff can point you to other resources on FAFSA, student loans, etc. They want to make college affordable for you, so don't be afraid to ask them for help!