As tuition costs continue to go up every year, financial aid is becoming more vital to a student’s college education. Many students would not have the opportunity to go to college if it were not for the blessing of financial aid. But free money does not simply fall from the sky. Most of the time, you have to work for it.
Be a Bookworm
Most scholarships and financial aid programs, whether academic or not, require a transcript or at least a description of your classes and your GPA. If you have been slacking in your classes and another applicant has been working hard, who do you think will get the financial aid?
As you start your financial aid search, you will discover many of the most lucrative scholarships are available for high academic achievement. If you have spent your high school career pouring over books and studying for tests, all that work can literally pay off.
Practice, Practice, Practice
You will find an amazing amount of financial aid available to award numerous talents. Most schools offer financial aid for students who stand out in many areas: athletics, music, academics and more.
Even if you don’t land a spot on the college soccer team or a full-ride scholarship playing in the orchestra, most high schools offer financial aid to the students who have spent years on the team or in the band room, coming to practice every day and working hard.
Another place to practice your talents and earn significant financial aid is in pageants. Most young women earn their way into pageants completely through sponsors and have no out-of-pocket expense. Additionally, most pageants designate any winnings strictly for money for schooling. Some young women have paid for their entire college education with pageant money.
Surf the ‘Net
A quick search on the Web will retrieve several scholarship options. A great place to do your first financial aid search is www.fastweb.com. When you register with Fastweb, you fill out a questionnaire about yourself, including any special talents, special needs, participation in school, GPA, etc. and Fastweb creates a specialized list of numerous scholarships and financial aid for which you can apply.
Ask Someone Who Knows
Most high schools and colleges have financial aid counselors who will help you find scholarships and other financial aid, either from the school or other outside sources. These counselors are extremely knowledgeable and know the ins and outs of applications and where to find financial aid when you may think all hope is lost.
Go to the Government
Fill out the FAFSA. Go to www.fafsa.com and fill out the information about your income, your family’s income, the number of people in your household, your assets, your last tax return, etc. This will start you on the road to government financial aid for your education. Filling out the FAFSA is the first step toward PELL grants (free money you don’t have to pay back), Stafford Loans (low-interest student loans, which don’t have to be repaid until you graduate) or Plus Loans (low-interest loans for parents).
By D. Blair Thompson