Money for college.?

Question

I need money for school without taking out a ton of $$ in loans. I'm registered with FastWeb, Scholarship.com, and College Answer. It just seems like I can't get scholarships because I either don't qualify for some reason, or the competition is to stiff. Any other ideas?

Answer 1

There are three good source types for scholarships on the internet.

First, fill out the form at fafsa.ed.gov. It will place you in line for federal financial aid in the form of grants and work study programs if the income and family resources qualify.

Second, check on the college or university's financial aid website. Often, it will list scholarships that a person can fill out the application to apply for it. It is not tied to school funds since most are companies or private organizations.

Finally, there are free scholarship searches on the internet. Most are updated often with new scholarships and grants available. They include some scholarships that include unique qualities in a person or a fun contest.

One piece of advice, before you apply for a private or company scholarship, check out the organization's website. It often includes information that might help you stand a better chance of receiving it. Often, scholarship granting is based on the essay included with the application, and it comes in handy in writing the essay in a manner that would capture their interest more.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I can help . . .

There are 2 dimensions to having scholarships: finding them and writing winning applications. Success at debt-free college requires mastery of both realms.

The first realm you have to master is finding scholarships. First, accept that there are an abundance of scholarships out there and you just have to be 'in tune' to finding them. Next, search everywhere, ask everyone, look everyplace, and accept every bit of insight. I've found scholarships in books, at internship conventions (how I found the Bill and Milenda Gates Scholars--pays for everything REGARDLESS OF SCHOOL), from professors I took classes with, my college department chair, the local financial aid deparment, friends, high school teachers, and more. These are great resources in addition to the websites listed above; don't forget books, magazines, newspapers, and community leaders know things as well.

Once you start to see the abundance of scholarship information, the next step is to start winning them! Remember, some scholarships have thousands of applicants just like you. You should devise a strategy for winning scholarships (read: writting winning applications). My ebook is listed below that will show you how I won scholarships (had 9 in one semester, one paid for everything) without having to apply for 30+ to win 9 (only applied for 5 the previous year--won 3, 6 were re-occuring). I've written my ebook to help others now I've graduated and it will show you what many don't know about scholarship applications and committee thinking.

GO GET THEM,


Marty A. Nickison II, author

Answer 3

Fill out FAFSA. It will automatically set you up with any grants you are eligible for. This also gets the college's financial aid department working for you. Scholarships are a pain, I've never gotten one, but I get $8,000 a year to go to community college through grants.

Answer 4

Get the most recent copy of US News and World Report. They have several articles on the cost of college and how you can qualify for scholarship funds.

Answer 5

Keep hunting for scholarships and save as much money as you can. It is also a good idea to get a job. Good luck!

Answer 6

Join the army.