What do I do for money for college?

Question

I am a Junior in High School and will be applying for college in the fall. When and Where and How do I get money for college? When I get acceppted to college will there be Aide offered through that college or will they help at all? I am really worried about how to pay for college.

Answer 1

The time is now to start searching for scholarships! You do not have to be accepted to a college in some cases to apply for some private scholarships. The reason to start looking now is that the application deadlines can happen any time during the year with some various private scholarships, so it becomes important to search for scholarships now. I do recommend applying for every scholarship you qualify for including the smaller amounts because it means less money to raise for college. I will list some free sources to locate money for college.

First, fill out the FAFSA form after January 1 of your senior year of high school, and it needs to be filled out for each year of college you attend. It will tap into need based financial aid from the state and federal governments along with the college itself. The amount given is based on your parents income, your income, and savings. It provides grants & students loans from the government and need based scholarships from the college itself. It will also tap into the work study program at the college itself which can provide both work experience and money.

Second,current high school students can locate local scholarships at the high school guidance office.

Second, the public library has a book listing scholarships with some not even listed on the web.

Third, your high school guidance office has a list of local scholarships. However, some of these might be a bit too early for a high school freshman.

Finally, I recommend joining several free membership scholarship search websites. There are scholarships for a variety of things including ethnicity, clubs, hobbies, and even wearing duct tape to the high school prom. Most are updated on a regular basis. Most offer a customized search based on information entered onto a form on the website.

Good luck!

Answer 2

This is a pretty standard question. Without spending too much time in a financial aid office, there is plenty you can do get the process started.
Start by going to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and filling out the online form for federal student aid. After finding out what you are eligible for in terms of subsidized stafford loans, you can figure out if that is enough to finance your tuition and expenses. In most cases, it isn't. If you find that you need more money then you are offered, you may want to try a private student loan.
The best thing to do is compare the different private lenders out there, which can be done at http://www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.phtml
Most of the rates are very similar but do a little research and pick one that you think is best. I would suggest Think Financial. The application process is very quick and easy, and the check is sent directly to you so you can use the money for whatever you want. The limits are much higher with private student loans, up to $40,000 per year. You can find out more information about a Think loan at http://www.thinkfinancial.com . Good Luck.

Answer 3

All colleges have a financial aid department that can help you with student loans. There are usually grants and scholarships available, so you should check into those with your college selections, too. The counseling office at your high school can give you great advice about these.

Whatever you do, DON'T hire a service to find grants and scholarships for you. Sometimes they solicit business through high schools, which makes them look legitimate. but they charge high fees and don't follow through. My stepdaughter paid $500 to one, and all they got her was a $500 academic scholarship, not even addressing the fact that she's Hispanic. Researching grants and scholarships on your own is free, and not hard on the internet!

Answer 4

Check with your financial aid office at the school where you are applying and apply for any scholarships for which you might qualify. Talk to them about Work-study opportunities on campus, see what grant and student loans that you might qualify for. Taking out school loans is no fun, but I did it and then took it took me 10 years to pay back, but I'm glad that I did it! Some parents go into debt and jeapardize retirement to put kids through college, but my husband and I both worked our way through college and got student loans and we are requiring that our kids do the same. Believe me, when you are paying for it, you put alot more effort into it! Good luck!

Answer 5

Go to fastweb.com, they have a number of scholarships and grants that you can apply for. That's what I did. Also whatever school you are applying to, call the financial aid office and ask them what scholarships you can apply for...also fill out a FAFSA (www.fafsa.org) that is free money from the government that you can receive as well. Money is out their but sometimes you have search a little for it. Good luck with your college career :-)

Answer 6

FAFSA and Pell Grant money

Also, there are plenty of independent scholarships out there, you just have to find them.

If you're particularly smart/talented, colleges will offer you money.

I applied to 11 schools, got into all of them, and all but 1 offered me money, and all but one other offered me at least $10,000 a year

Answer 7

well you could go for a scholarship if you have the grades or go down to your guidance counselors and try to talk to them about financial aid for college if not the just work your but off at a job, but most of your answers will be down in your guidance(or office)

Answer 8

Making good grades and being active/involved in school activities is extremely important in acquiring scholarships. Apply for as many scholarships as you can. You may get more than one if you have the grades and SAT scores to get you there.

Answer 9

Good for you for getting started so early! Here's a financial aid calendar that walks you through, step by step, starting in your junior year, how to pay for college:

http://www.salliemae.com/before_college/students_plan/prepare_school/calendar.htm

Answer 10

thats why people go to junior colleges and live at home....if we have some of the money we have wasted on the Iraq Attack, we could build a few hundred bridges, pay for education medicare...etc......also.... the high cost is also why some women "wiggle" to get $$$....its God's Plan...Let us Pray...