Use a calculator like the FAFSA4caster, found on the FAFSA website, to estimate your family’s financial need.
This does not mean you’re attending and does not mean that you have to accept anything – you’re simply showing interest and getting a quote. It is completely standard procedure.
Most schools will require a copy of your recent tax documents, and other documents or forms may be requested as well. Double check each school’s requirements, and contact their financial aid officers if you have questions about applying for need-based financial aid. The financial aid application process may be different for transfer or international students. Make sure you follow the right process for your background and education.
Think about the types of aid you’re getting. Loans may be helpful now, but you could end up graduating deeply in debt. Work study programs will help you pay for your education, but could end up distracting you from your studies. Decide what type of aid you like best, or pick a mix to minimize your risks.
Your school may even offer you more money later if you get good grades and show your potential. Once in a while there is scholarship money “left over” that you could be eligible for if you stay on top of your game.
What’s more, most, if not all, of your credits will transfer. You can go to a community college for one or two years on the cheap and then move over the a state or public university. If your grades are really good, you could even be up for more scholarships.
Check this out: 50% of college grads are unemployed or underemployed. Meanwhile, trade workers with skills are in huge demand. 40% of surveyed employers in a recent survey complained that they couldn’t find enough. Going to a trade or vocational school may be a much, much better move.
Look into taking classes taught by part-time teachers. Part-time teachers are paid less and therefore taking their classes usually costs less, too. [2] X Research source
If you are looking to transfer later, look into the policy. Be sure you’re attending an accredited, respected online institution before assuming. Take a look at the colleges you want to attend, too, and check if your credits would transfer.
Look at Harvard and MIT’s websites, for example. You can peruse their courses and launch into whatever interests you. There are also websites like Coursera that coordinate with dozens of schools to provide varied, coordinated curricula. You can take their classes for free with or without a certificate at the end.
This also gets you work experience in your field from the get go. You’re making money and building your resume at the same time. In addition to these perks, many colleges take the work experience as school credit. It may not take you that much longer to graduate if your job is in line with your studies.
Ask the professor for permission to audit the class. Email the professor well before the first class meeting and explain your interest, background, and educational status. Tell the professor why you want to audit the class, and politely ask permission. If they say no, respect their wishes and don’t take it personally – some professors are concerned about the level of involvement of all of their students, and having people audit the class can interrupt that. Be engaged in the class in order to get as much as possible out of it. Treat it as you would if you took it for credit. Attend every class session and complete all homework assignments, even if you don’t turn them in. Engage with the material, and discuss it with the professor outside of class if possible. This will help you learn the material and get the most out of your college experience.
Let’s not forget that this prolongs how long you can depend on your family for. Home-cooked meals, family outings, and a nice house to live in for free? Yes, please.
You can even rent textbooks now, too. A quick online search will result in plenty of websites that can hook you up with exactly what you need for a fraction of the price. It’s not like you need to keep the book anyway.
You don’t have to pay the money back for grants. They are academic, talent, and need-based. The Pell Grant may be one you’re familiar with, and that’s a federal program. It likely will be indicated on your FAFSA. But you can apply for other specific, private grants, too. Loans do need to be paid back. Your school will include this recommendation on the FAFSA if you qualify. You can also take out private loans if need be, and your parents could take out a Parent Plus Loan, too, if desired.
Every school has a different policy. Talk to your academic adviser about your prospects. Why is this helpful? It could mean graduating at least a semester early, which could save you thousands of dollars.
These are often part-time gigs that understand you’re a student first. They’ll gladly work around your class schedule and accommodate you as much as possible. If you’re lucky, you’ll land one where you can study on the job.
Why is this pertinent? Soldiers are eligible for up to $4,500 per year in tuition assistance while they serve and the military and numerous online universities offer programs intended to work with your schedule while you serve. What’s more, after you leave the military, go to college for free. Under the current GI Bill, 100% of your tuition and fees for a public college and up to $19,198 for private schools will be covered. The bill also gives you an allowance for books and, in some cases, a one-time payment to help you move. [4] X Research source
Once you are in college, maintain the academic standing required of your scholarship. Most grants or scholarships require that you maintain a certain GPA or otherwise remain in good academic standing. Continue to work hard and get grades high enough to keep your scholarship for as long as you need it.
The best athletic schools might overlook mediocre academics, but if a scholarship comes down to you and a similar player with better grades, chances are it’ll go to the other person. Because of this, keep your grades up, too. Being proactive about getting recruited will put you on the coach’s radar as an athlete. Since you came to them, they’ll know you’re interested in their school and will be more likely to consider you. While this scholarship can help you get a top-tier education for free, it comes with a cost. You’ll have to spend upwards of 20 hours a week practicing your sport, which can keep you from investing in the academics of college. These scholarships are also re-awarded each year, so they can be taken away if your coach doesn’t feel you need or deserve it each year. [5] X Research source Consider lower-division schools, too. While you may dream of playing for your favorite Division I school, these scholarships are much more difficult to get.
Make sure you fulfill the basic requirements for an ROTC scholarship. For high school students, you must be a US citizen between 17 and 26 years old, have a GPA of at least 2. 50, have a high school diploma or GED, score a minimum of 920 on the combined math and verbal SAT or 19 on the ACT (excluding the writing portion), and meet certain physical requirements. [6] X Research source In order to keep your scholarship, you must maintain certain physical and academic standards throughout your college career. Make sure you stay physically fit, and keep your GPA above the required minimum (2. 50 or 3, depending on your branch of ROTC). Scholarships can be taken away if you fail to meet the necessary requirements, so be aware of your standing within your program. After college, fulfill your service commitment. ROTC gives you a free college education, so be sure to honor your commitment to service in the armed forces.
Use reputable websites like CollegeScholarships. org, FastWeb, or Scholarships. com to search through many available scholarships. Research everything you can think of to find scholarships that you might qualify for, or look through a list of scholarships for those that fit your background and interests. If applicable, put together a portfolio, promotion video, or other material to display your skills. Scholarships in the arts generally require proof of the quality of your work. For writing, photography, or art, put together a portfolio to display the quality and diversity of your work. For dance, music, or other talents, make audio or video recordings of your best performances. These don’t need to be fancy, but they should show off your talent as well as possible.
