What to do about costs?

Question

I want to leave home and want to stay in a far away state for college. I have very little and my parents make 18,000 a year. I am getting a job but what are my options were I can get money for an apartment and for college?

Answer 1

The good news is that you will definitely qualify for need based help from the college due to your parents' income. However, I would watch how much you worked because it could influence how much you get in help due to your income counting at a higher rate than your parents' income and savings. You can start searching for college scholarships right now, and I recommend applying for every scholarship you qualify for no matter the award amount. I will include some resources to locate tuition money to attend college.

First, complete the FAFSA form after January 1 but well before the financial aid deadline of the school. It will qualify you for the Pell Grant, work study program, need based scholarships, and federal student loans. This needs to be completed every year until you graduate from college.

Second, go to the high school guidance office. They have a list of local scholarships for current students to apply for consideration. These are the easiest to get compared to the nationally based ones.

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

Finally, join several free membership scholarship search websites. You enter a profile with them, and it will search for scholarships matching your profile. There is a scholarship for almost anything out there including wearing duct tape to the senior prom.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If you are an undergrad student staying in a different state will definitely hinder your state aid. Isn't there somewhere far enough away in the state that your parents won't drive in a day. I would really check this out. It might be worth it to think in state for a while. It is also more expensive to go to an out of state college. Also, check out student loans, scholarships, work study and grants.