College Financial Aid?

Question

I am a junior in high school and I know that I am definitely going to need financial aid in someway for college. I want to know when should I start applying for scholarships and Student loans?

Answer 1

You have selected the perfect time to start searching for college scholarships, but it is very early to apply for student loans since they are tied to your college years. Besides, you do not know how much you will qualify for in FAFSA or in state grants. I will include some free resources to locate money to attend college.

First, the college's financial aid office and website has a list of private scholarships offered from outside organizations and companies. Sometimes a college major's website will list scholarships, too.

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

Third, the high school guidance office has a list of local scholarships and state scholarships & grants. This can be done in the senior year.

Fourth, a campus work study job can help with money needed during the school year. The program is funded by the federal government. It will be a job on campus and most times can work to your availability schedule. There should be a box on the FAFSA form for it.

Fifth, fill out the FAFSA form after January 1 of your senior year of high school. It will qualify her for need based financial aid from the federal government and the school itself. It will come in the form of scholarships, Pell Grant, student loans, and the work study program.

Sixth, study and practice for the SAT or ACT tests. It can help bring merit scholarships from the college itself. Prepare for the PSAT which could bring in scholarship money with excellent scores. I recommend using test preparation book, software, or a test preparation course.

Seventh, states do offer grant and scholarships for students with excellent grades. Search Google.com and Yahoo.com for these grants and scholarships with your state's name.

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

You should file the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) right after you (if you need to) and your parents complete their taxes. The sooner you get done the better because there might be extra paperwork you have to fill out before the process is complete.

Answer 3

You should start researching now. You will need to complete the FAFSA form eventually. If I remember right you do the FAFSA in January of your senior year.