Taking the "Free Way" To College

by Angela Marie Pringle
(Manning, South Carolina, USA)

There are several scholarships and grants available to college students . The trick is, just being able to locate this money. While some are obvious and easy to find, others are not.

Many grants are available to pay for your college education; some on the federal level, others on the state level. Once the student completes and submits their FAFSA, it is then determined what grants what they are eligible for. It is important to make sure that the FAFSA form is filled out correctly, because this information is what is used to determine what dollar amount that the student is eligible to receive.

Contacting the financial aid office at the school that the student is attending, or looking to attend, is a great way to find out about grants that may be offered in your area or to residents of your state. They may have a list of grants that are available, along with instructions on how to go about receiving these grants. If you are a graduating high school student, it may also be wise to check with your high school guidance counselor. They, too, may have some information on some grants, or they might be able to point you in the right direction to obtaining some information.

Your school’s financial aid (or guidance counselor’s) office may also have information on scholarships, both private and public. But another way to find information on scholarships is to do internet searches. By typing the word “scholarships” into any search engine, you can get access to a number of websites that list available scholarships. Many of these scholarships vary in type, amount, and criteria. You can also search for scholarships pertaining to your major, your home state, or the college that you are (or will be) attending.

Also, check with your church, or other local businesses in your area, to see if any of them offer any type of scholarship programs that you may be eligible for. Or if you are employed, see if your employer offers any type of scholarship, or has any type of scholarship program, for its employees. There is money available out there for college. You just have to know the necessary steps that it takes to find it.

Read more tips about available Scholarships and Grants Available to College Students from other students and parents who have been through process.

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Angela for sharing tips about scholarships and grants available for college students. Good luck to you in college and your scholarship searches. Check out some of our scholarship links below.

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Scholarships and Grants Available to College Students

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Is The Dilemma Time or Patience and Perseverance?

by Courtney S.
(Sacramento, CA, United States)

Since when has free money ever been easy to come by let alone earn. Being a single mother of two, struggling to keep things in order, I thought time was my biggest issue. I figured out the key is to have patience, just like with children. The task seems daunting with peoples busy schedules, pop-ups, so many scholarships and requirements you don't qualify for.

Having help from someone around you can make a world of difference in the process.I have been out of school a while and I'm a stay at home mother of two, so I don't have a lot of people to help me. Once I started my college and scholarship search I became overwhelmed quickly, I almost gave up. It wasn't until I called a school and got put through to an enrollment adviser who has encouraged me day one. Encouraged,not pushed and bullied like some other places. With just the support of one person I have chosen a school and applied for my fair share of scholarships. Find your own support system,whether it's friends, family, or someone you have met through networking.

Networking with people can improve your experience as well as speed up the process of applying for college money. Most people think of networking as something you do on the internet. Don't forget to network with people around you such as parents, teachers, counselors, or even peers. Someone you know may know something you don't.It's crazy to think, I know. Letting other people do the footwork won't get you far though. Do things yourself and put yourself out there. Try posting a blog or putting your needs on the internet. There's always a chance help will find you. The internet is a very useful tool.

Although the internet is a great resource it has it's annoying attributes.Some sites have pop-ups or makes you enter your personal information. After the long process of entering you information you get a lot of call and e-mails for things you don't want. Looking through all the scholarship and grant sites can be tedious but it is well worth it. Though some search engines do look cheesy you should still look, it might have a few opportunities for money that you haven't seen. You should also keep searching through out your entire and even after your college career. The annoying factors may be great but the reward are grand in comparison.

Give your search 120 percent without wearing yourself out. If you get bored of searching it will not seem appealing and you will get nowhere. Take breaks while you search or search for a different type of scholarship or grant that might apply to you. Always keep in the front of your mind the deadlines. If you have a couple to fill out at a time plan ahead. Get the one that is easiest and has the closest deadline done first.

Keep all of the positives in mind while going through the process of finding money for school. Through all the deadlines, pop-ups, calls, and long hours, stay strong. Treat this project as you own baby, nurture it,and be patient, so it can take care of you in the future. Good luck with all of your endeavors.

Read more Scholarship Hunting Advice from other students and parents who have been through process.

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Courtney for sharing your scholarship hunting advice "Is The Dilemma Time or Patience and Perseverance?" Best of luck to you.

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Scholarship Hunting Advice

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Use your resources!

by Kayla Much
(Manawa, WI, United States)

When I was a high school senior, I started to really worry about how I would be paying for college. I didn't want to have a lot of loans and student debt. Debt really makes me stress out.

My guidance office was so helpful with the whole process though. They were a great resource for finding scholarships, "free-money" for college. They also helped me with all the steps I needed to do for applying for Financial Aid.

Since I am the first on in my family to go to college, this was all new to me. I felt like I was lost until I got help from them. Now, I know where to look for scholarships.

You have to know how to use your resources and that there are people there to help you out with everything, you don't have to stress out too much!

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Kayla for reminding everyone who feels lost that help is available through your guidance or counseling office. They’ve helped many others with paying for college, and they want to help you too. Check out our information on scholarships and grants for college . Best of luck to you.

Submit your essay in our College Essay Contest:

FAFSA Hints | Scholarships and Grants for College | Paying off Student Loans | Scholarship Essay Samples | Other College Financial Aid Advice

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