My dreams of attending a 4 year university - but how with NO money?

Question

I'm a high school junior. I'm an honor roll and I have really good grades - straight A's with like only 1-2 B+s! I really want to attend a 4 year University... I might want to major in History ;)! However, I don't have the money to do so...

I need help. I want to apply for a scholarship - but I'm only 15... and even some sites they ask me for my email address... I put in yahoo, hotmail, aol - nothing works ... I don't know which email address they're asking for!!! HELP!


Any help on how I can get money to go to college - besides loans! Free Money!!!

Answer 1

I understand your frustration -- I was in the same boat. I actually qualified for a couple of scholarships, but family pressure and a poor choice on my part sent me to France for 2 years (church mission -- bad idea), and when I got back my scholarship options were all gone.
So I did it the hard way -- worked full time, and arranged my work and class schedules around each other, going to a 4-year college "almost" full-time. It was hard -- I would work 8 hours starting at 6am, be at classes by 3PM until 9 or 10PM, grab something to eat then study and do homework until 2 or 3 AM, grab a couple hours of sleep, then do it all over again. Weekends were spent getting a little more sleep but the rest studying -- very little time if any for "social life." It took me 6 years to get my BS degree -- but it was worth it. I continued part-time school to get a master's degree in Math. I worked my way up through a couple of companies (including working for George Lucas), and became CTO of a major software publisher. Retired at 46 last year on some good investing and stock options that turned out wonderfully :)

I never would have had a career like that if I hadn't worked so hard to get my degree(s). Don't think because you don't have money it's impossible -- it's just harder, that's all. Still completely doable.
I hope you get a scholarship -- but if you don't, don't give up!

Answer 2

What do you mean besides loans? Go ahead and ask for free money if you want, but I don't know who will give it to you! Sounds like you'll have to do loans. Lots of people do. I did and it all turned out fine. Also I worked about 30 hours a week while in college and that helped pay tuition. For housing, I took a position as an au pair for a millionaire couple and got free room and board, and took the bus to school. Good luck!

Answer 3

You need to go to your school's councilor or financial aide office and let them know that you need help with grants and such for college. The government has something called PEL grants that are easy to get but you had better find out about them right away as they are a deadline sensitive thing and if you are a High School junior now is the time to be getting the ground work done for grants and help. Some colleges offer grants to prospective students so decided where you want to attend school and ask them about their programs. Keep surfing the net for grant programs that you are interested in. For instance if you are into History, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) have grants that you can put in for. Companies like Coke-a-Cola have grant programs for students. Good Luck , keep looking and apply to as many programs as you can.

Answer 4

FAFSA definitely. Then try applying for scholarships at your school too. I'm graduating in May 2007, and with financial aid + scholarships, I only had to take out about $4,000 in loans, but they're federal loans so the interest is not that bad. Loans for education aren't bad at all.

It's cool that you might want to major in History, I'm a History major too.

Answer 5

I would suggest to save up on the high end cost by first attending a local community college. This will help you save up on money since it's cheaper and you could still live at home or get a job. It'll also allow you more time to decide if it's really History you want to major it. (It cost a lot to change majors.)
You can sharpen your skills by being actively involved in clubs that you enjoy. Often times you'd meet people there who can help you get a scholarship. Lots of clubs like honor Society or AFS offer scholarships.
And lastly. . .

Answer 6

The little jobs add up!!! Do different little jobs like daycare centers pay good good money that is if your good with kids. Or if your tough and good with your hands, work on cars or mow lawns. Better yet clean out your closet and garage and see what priceless treasures you can find and I am not talking about macaroni art from the third grade I'm talking about pretty good conditioned clothing, shoes, still up-to-date CDs, furniture, and books. Or have a bake sale TRUST ME that'll bring in the money. Whatever your interested in!!!!!!!! PS Go to www.monster.com OH AND THE BEST JOB I SUGGEST THAT PAYS EXTRA MONEY (trust me I heard from a friend) find a rich neighborhood and be a nanny during the night. That's what my twenty-something yr. old friend did and the parents of the kids she nannied let her have a car while she stayed, and they were so rich they had an elevator in their home!!!!!!! She loved it too!!!!! DO IT!!!!

Answer 7

if you don't want loans you can work, join the army (not a good time for that), or ask your guidance counselor to point you in the right direction for scholarships, many scholarships are particular for a certain school, you would have to be enrolled or enrolling to apply for them. Loans are always there, so you can't say that you don't have money for college.

Answer 8

You need to look at the FAFSA - Financial Aid... Dont worry about that till your senior year of high school. Look for local scholarships, your counselor should have information on that as well. Most scholarships require high school students to be seniors in order to participate.
Fastweb.com - is good for national scholarships, free!!!
P.S. use one email address for scholarship look up

Answer 9

i don't know your state, but your state general assembly offers some. also check with your consellor in school. you can also find out the right e-mail. also if your parents know any politicans, church people, friends, etc. that can be a help. your good grades are great! keep it up and good luck. there are a lot of scholarships not used out there. try to work on internet when you get the right address. also go to the public library and find out the answers. they will help you also.

Answer 10

I'm only 14 but I know some in scholarships, I'm taking an Intro to business class right now and there is always some one from diff. colleges coming and they told me that you can go to the college and ask them about it or you can probably go to the office at your school and ask them usually they have pamphlets or brochures.