College Financial Aid

Sometimes the best college financial aid advice comes from students and parents who have been down that college path. Read tips and learn from others successes and mistakes.

Last updated on March 12, 2024 by College Financial Aid Advice.

College Financial Aid Tips

College Financial Aid

Reed College, Oregon

We are always pleased to share tips for financial aid for students that come from other college students and parents. They've made their share of mistakes, and learned from the process, and made some great choices too. Read their college financial aid tips for you below, and if you like, you can share your tips as well.

Some of our prior scholarship winners and finalist essays can be seen on our website at College Financing Tips .

College Admission Help

FAFSA Hints

Scholarships and Grants for College

Paying off Student Loans

Scholarship Essay Samples

College Financial Aid Tips

Here are some tips that other readers have shared.

Apply for Scholarships at the Colleges You've Applied For - Nicholas, Florida

One good tip for most high school seniors is to apply for scholarships at colleges you’ve applied for during the fall whether you get into them or not. For example if you apply to Duke in October of your senior year, immediately go on the Duke website and look for school scholarships and apply for them. Not only are you getting a head start on your scholarship hunt but most deadlines are between February and March for scholarships which you have now beat by applying in the fall.

Student Job - Carly, California

Whether it be on or off campus, a student job will provide you with a steady income for food, extracurricular activities, or even more money to put towards your tuition.

College Financial Aid Advisor - Vanessa, Alabama

Your Financial Aid Advisor on campus is a great source to get started with finding all the financial assistance you can get, they have access and knowledge not many of us are capable of.

Apply Early FAFSA - Samantha, Massachusetts

And as soon as January first comes around enter your FAFSA as soon as possible. It's first comes first serve when it comes to FASFA, and it is less stressful to get it out of the way and not have to worry about it.

Weird and Wacky Scholarships - Alexis, Georgia

Second, look for weird scholarships. There are all types of wacky scholarships ! Scholarships for short and tall people, left handed people, even people who create the most unique peanut butter sandwich (sponsored by Jif).

Unclaimed Scholarships - A Bonilla, Florida

His first year at College, he wrote an essay for a school scholarship and won it. He was told by people in the financial aid office that that scholarship sometimes goes without anyone competing for it. I am appalled that good money would be sitting around waiting for someone to discover it, especially when students are taking out loans or depending on their parents to fund their educational dreams

FAFSA Automatically Makes You Eligible for Grants - Susan, California

I did not know, that when you apply for the FAFSA, you automatically are applying for CAL Grant. My son was able to receive a Pell Grant as well. So little by little, the funds are coming together!

College Debt - Jasnique, Missouri

I want to graduate from college with a degree that I have earned, not a degree that I am stuck paying for.

Grandma Knows Best - Jenna, Florida

By chance do you have savings bonds? I did because my grandmother never bought us toys for Christmas she always gave us savings bonds. At the time, I hated them but now I am so thankful to have them. I traded them in for a couple of thousand dollars.

Start Early Looking for College Financial Aid - Kim, New York

As a parent with a college bound child you must start your financial aid research early so that you don’t miss important scholarship deadlines and miss out on financial aid money for your child. Beware, learn from my procrastination experience that some scholarships have deadlines that are during the spring of your child’s junior year of high school.

Community Service Scholarships - Julia, South Carolina

Advice I would give new students is don’t discount community service. We have found many local agencies that offer scholarship opportunities. American Legion, Rotary Club, Shriners Club, and Masons. Check your local area for these clubs who notice and reward community service of young people. You don’t have to be one who starts the charities; just be involved and care about your community.

Scholarships - Halle, Florida

Apply for every scholarship you possibly can, from silly ones to ones based on academics.

Enjoy Your Senior Year - Nathan

With all that in mind, don’t forget to still enjoy your senior year. It’s your last hurrah, and don’t let the stress of paying for college ruin that for you. Just constantly be aware of where you stand financially and don’t be foolish with your funds. Work with what you have and look forward to the college experience!


Share Your College Financial Aid Advice

Do you have some advice to share with other students about college and money? Enter our scholarship essay contest to win $1000 for college. Share your insights about a topic of your choice - choosing a low cost college, best student jobs, saving for college or ???. See our Scholarship Rules

What Other Visitors Have Said
About College Financial Aid Advice

Click below to see submissions from other visitors about college financial aid advice.

Quick Fix Resume Tips 
When applying for scholarships , 90% of the time, they will ask you for a resume ! Here are some quick and easy tips to make your resume look professional …

What They Don't Tell You about Financial Aid 
Upon becoming a high school senior I began preparation for college and, like most students, found it overwhelming. As a student who did not have much out …

Advice from Parents for College Planning 
Planning for college as a parent seems to be an overwhelming task. Especially if you student has a long time before college. Fortunately if you are lucky …

Scholarships are Key! 
Applying for scholarships can be a long, painful process. However, one thing I have learned from the process is that you can NEVER apply for too many …

Work and Be Money Smart 
Many times, the struggle to pay for a college education seems like a tremendous war against the system, as if every factor of university life is …

Tips for High School Students Planning for College 
When you plan for college you must look at a few different factors like: Would I want to live there? Is it too close or far to home or family and friends? …

It's Time for College! 
Hey there, do you think you are all ready for college? Well there is more to college then just football games and parading around in your schools colors. …

Don't go overboard spending money at college 
College is one of the most expensive investments made in one's life. Luckily, there are many ways to stretch the money available in order to get more for …

Surviving and paying for college 
College never seems like an easy thing to do. There are so many choices, new people, and now you must fen for yourself and pay for everything without help …

Save money with community college option 
Ivy League or Community College - Applying to college is like trying out for a sports team in school. Some people get picked first, some people get picked …

Think Cheap and Control Your Spending 
When I was looking to start my undergraduate career, I didn’t bother looking at big, fancy schools because I knew they’d be expensive. I was told this …

Click here to write your own.

HomeApply Online ScholarshipCollege Financial Aid Tips

Welcome!

Welcome to College Financial Aid Advice, a website full of information on scholarships and grants, student loans, and other ways to save money at college.


Important Things to Do

Scholarships for 2024 - 2025 - It is never too early or too late to work on your scholarship searches. If you are part of the high school class of 2024, you should work on your scholarship and college search now. See our list of Scholarships for High School Seniors

FAFSA - The official 2024 - 2025 FAFSA is available now. FAFSA.


College Financial Aid Tips

Scholarship Lists An overview of the different types of Scholarship Money for College.

Grants Learn more about grants, the other free money for college.

Need Tuition Help? Reduce the cost of tuition with these college Tuition Assistance Programs.

Tax Credit Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

College Savings Plans Save money for college with these College Savings Plans.

Need a Student Loan? Yes, you qualify for these college Student Loans.


Popular Scholarship Searches

Scholarships for High School Students

Scholarships for College Students

Easy Scholarships

Scholarship Contests

Weird Unknown Scholarships

Merit Based Scholarships

Scholarships for Minorities

College Scholarships for Women


Scholarships by Year

Scholarships for College Students

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Scholarships for High School Juniors

Scholarships for High School Sophomores

Scholarships for High School Freshmen