Money for College

Are you hoping to attend college but thinking that there’s no way you can afford it? In these financially troubled times, will your family be able to provide the finances you’ll need to pay for tuition, room and board?

There are many ways to finance a college education and there are some that you don’t have to pay back: grants and scholarships. Some grants and scholarships are based on financial need and some are based on high school achievement, your religious affiliation, ethnic background, memberships in organizations, hobbies and even special interests. For examples, there are scholarships given by large grocery store chains for students who have worked for the chain during high school. There are scholarships for students of certain ethnic backgrounds. There are even local clubs based on ethnicity, like an Italian American or Polish American organization, which may offer college money to a student of the same ethnicity.

When thinking about coming up with the money you’ll need for college, look into the following organizations:

• Do you have an afterschool job? Find out if the company you work for offers scholarships.

• Are there individuals or families in the town in which you live that offer scholarships?

• Are there local companies that offer money for college?

• How about the church, synagogue or mosque that you attend?

• Are there any local professional organizations that offer scholarships?

Think about yourself and what it is that might make you eligible for grants or scholarships:

• Are you part of a minority group?

• Do you have high grades?

• Are you an athlete?

• Do you exhibit financial need?

• What’s your ethnic background?

• Do you or your parents belong to any community organizations?

Start looking for money for college early. You are much more likely to be successful in finding scholarships and grants if you apply early rather than at the last possible moment. Look at a website like http://www.collegeanswer.com/paying/scholarship_search/pay_scholarship_search.jsp It’s a scholarship database that contains more than 3 million scholarships. When looking, remember to look at the deadline for each scholarship that interests you. No matter how great the scholarship, it won’t do you any good if you miss the deadline.

Look carefully at the requirements for any scholarship for which you think you’re eligible. Make sure of your eligibility. And then don’t forget to follow the guidelines of the scholarship. If you’re asked for an essay, be sure to write one, include what’s requested and do a good job! There are plenty of other students willing to take that money!

When you think you’re done with your scholarship application be sure to proofread. Then do it again. Make sure that you’ve been honest. And keep a copy of your application. No system is infallible and applications can be lost. And think about sending that application by registered mail. That way you’ll have the comfort of knowing it was received. And you’ll also have proof that it was received. Good luck!

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