Need Money for College?

Finding money for college can be a challenge for many students and their families. While saving in advance is the best choice, many times saving money for college is not easy for families. Even for those who do save, many find that the savings are not enough to cover the full cost of a college education.

So what should students and parents do to find money for college? There are many programs available to help students get money for college including scholarships, grants and several types of loans.

There is one form the student needs to fill out each year which will determine his or her eligibility for need based programs including loans, grants and work-study called the FAFSA, found online at fafsa.ed.gov.

After submitting the FAFSA students will be notified by mail which programs they qualify for. Priority deadlines for most colleges are late spring to early summer. However students can continue to apply until the end of the school year.

If you have gotten your FAFSA results and didn't get as much money for college as you need, the first thing you should do is visit the financial aid office at your school. It is possible that there may be other sources of aid available. Some colleges participate in state funded financial aid programs and special need based programs that you may qualify for.

Secondly you can request that the financial aid office review your application and family contribution analysis. Perhaps there are circumstances such as a job loss, unexpected family expense or another factor that will reduce the amount of money the family is expected to contribute. This could possibly help you get more money for college in the form of loans and grants.

Most students qualify for Federal Student Loans (Stafford Loans) and the FAFSA results will reveal the amount students will be able to borrow. If this loan amount is not enough, students can inquire with the financial aid office about other loans.

Students may be able to take out additional Stafford Loans in the form of an unsubsidized loan. Unsubsidized loans are not awarded on the basis of need and students will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it's paid in full. Borrowers also have the option to add the interest to the principal amount of the loan until graduation. However additional interest will be based on the higher amount.

Other loan options that provide money for college students include Perkins Loans which are designated for students that meet low income criteria. The availability of Perkins loans are usually limited because each school participating in the Federal Perkins Loan program is given a maximum amount of Perkins Loan funds each year.

PLUS loans are available for parents to borrow money for college for their children. These loans are awarded regardless of financial need and allow parents to borrow up to the full cost of the child's education. To qualify for a PLUS loan the student must be classified as dependent.

Knowing your loan options is important but students should not ignore scholarship programs that give away free money for college. Many students think that scholarships are only available for straight A students, but this is not the case! There are many college scholarship programs based on a variety of criteria including essay contests, volunteer work or area of study.

Scholarship money for college can be found by inquiring at your college scholarship office, searching online and using scholarship directories.

By exploring all of the options available students and their families can successfully find money for college.

Michael Carter is a contributor at College Financial Aid Guide, an online informational resource for educational funding, scholarships and student loans. Find out how to apply for student loans.

---

Break it up, Break it Down: Paragraphing Strategies for College Essays

Some of us fill a page with a wall of... Read More

Outstanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 2

Stratford Douglas enrolled at the University of North Carolina in... Read More

IMT College - Full Online

IMT College - full online* Ensure Your Future* Immediate Use... Read More

Creating the Acceptable College Applicant

America's colleges and universities no longer have enough room to... Read More

Why Students Turn To Custom Writing Services

Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More

Who Should Earn an Online Associate Degree?

An online associate degree is a two-year general studies degree... Read More

GCSE English I Hate the Moor Notes about Othello

The Shakespearean play "Othello" describes a cruel chain of events... Read More

CSI Has Made The Study Of Forensics An Exciting Career Opportunity

Forensics is not just one field of study but encompasses... Read More

Distance Learning : Get an education while you work!

Distance Learning Makes the GradeDistance Learning might make all the... Read More

Student Moans and the Quarterlife Crisis

It's that time of year again when global issues take... Read More

Most Colleges Require Letters Of Recommendation

I cannot overemphasize the importance of developing strong relationships with... Read More

Mind-Body Secrets for College Success - Six Key Secrets

Embrace the secrets of the body-mind connection and tap into... Read More

Who Can Apply For Online Nursing Degrees?

Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of... Read More

Hidden College Costs: Roommate Conflict

Parents, if you're already reeling from the costs of today's... Read More

Online College Programs ? How to Apply

The first step to getting your online degree is to... Read More

The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper

Academics from Oxford University have mathematically proven long held suspicions... Read More

Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college,... Read More

PCDI - The College and University Alternative for Working Professionals Pursuing Their Degrees

PCDI | Professional Career Development Institute - The College and... Read More

How to Choose the Right School For You

Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions,... Read More

Writing Effective (and Requisite) Essay Openers

When we write for college courses, we write for an... Read More

I Hate My Roommate!

So its the beginning of the school year, your first... Read More

Choose the Delivery Mode for your e-Learning Course

There are so many ways to deliver instruction online that... Read More

Online Degree Tips - Your Guide To Online Degree Programs

Is an Online Business Degree Right for You?Deciding if an... Read More

SAT Test Preperation; Prep Options

It's time to take the SAT's. How should you prepare?... Read More

Outstanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 3

Students appreciate teachers that can show them how the material... Read More

Distance Education is Now Training the Next Genertation of Medical Assistants

Some people are calling it distance-free learning for the Medical... Read More

Naturopathic Schools

NATUROPATHIC SCHOOLS instruct in Naturopathic medicine which is an holistic... Read More

How To Improve Your Study Habits and Remember Better

If you're a student attending classes, you have probably experienced... Read More

How To Pass Exams

In modern society passing educational examinations becomes an increasingly important... Read More

Caribbean Single Market and Economy - Who Says UWI isn?t Doing Enough?

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has often been... Read More

Tips On College Selection

It is highly recommended that early in the college selection... Read More

The Key to Online College Classes - Have It Your Way

Never before has online education been more esteemed than today.... Read More

Limperts Academy of Design Opens Interior Design Education / US and Canada

You may be bursting at the seams with natural talent,... Read More