Financial advice for a college student?
Can someone point me in the right direction for financial resources for a college student? (i.e. scholarships, government programs, financial aid, etc)
I’m thinking about getting a loan to help pay off what’s left of my college expenses (I’m still in school) but many people are advising against it and saying for me to fully exploit all the possible financial resources and scholarships that could possibly be available.
Anyone have some experience/advice about all of this?
I don’t know the first place to look (p.s. I go to a big state school: I asked a counselor to schedule an appointment and was told the next available opening was 8 p.m. in 3 days).
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Your financial aide office is the right place to start. They will be able to tell you if you qualify for any grants grants are much nicer than student loans because they are free and you don’t have to pay anything back.. you can qualify for them based on your income and many other factors , and you should also apply for any and every scholarship you can get your hands on. It may be a pain in the butt to fill out all the paperwork, but it is well worth it. It’s like signing up for a chance at free money with WAY better odds than publishers clearing house.. especially if you are a goof fit for that particular scholarship.
Don’t fall for the easy cheesy forms that the student loan sharks pass out. They are typically easier to get so many people just do it without researching. Research is your best friend. Sometimes student loans are just necessary but exhaust all other options first.
I would definitely start with the school’s financial office as NaturalMineralWater said. If you have a major, you might also ask a professor if there are specific programs in your area of study.
Have you searched the Web for scholarships? There is much information. There are a lot of quirky ones with very specific requirements that you might fit.
For example, I work with a non-profit in Florida that offers scholarships to people who live in Florida and have a bleeding disorder who are going to college. if you meet those two criteria, you have a good chance of getting funds.
Good luck.
Well, you’d better take the next appointment at 8pm in 3 days! These people are the ones you want to talk to. They know all the answers, they know of any shortcuts or special opportunities that exist.
Great Question! As a recipient of the maximum amount of the Federal Pell Grant and the maximum amount of Student loans, I have put $0 out of pocket to pursue a degree!
The VERY first place to stop (in America) is the FAFSA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid)! The website is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Pick your colleges by searching for the Federal School Code, and financial information will be sent to each college!
The next step is to request information from the colleges! Go to their websites (beware of false websites), and they will walk you through the application process! You will revisit the FAFSA with a financial advisor from the college, and they will help you complete it!
Fill out the student loan information (they will give you all of the details) and you are done! I just did this and was approved for $26,000 in student loans and the Pell Grant! Enjoy everyone!
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