How to Pay for College

As many fill out applications to universities and colleges throughout the nation, one common thread unites all potential college applicants- money. How to pay for college is one of the most difficult and challenging aspects of the college applications for many students, and can mean the difference between a junior college, state school, private university or ivy league college. Start studying your financial aid options now, and get ahead of the financial curve.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Internet
• Library
• Counselor

1. High School Career Center: Check with your high school counselor and career center to find out the opportunities that are available for you. Apply for everything possible, even including the scholarships that indicate you do not qualify. Make them tell you that you do not qualify instead of adhering to their listed limitations.

2. Local Companies: Check with local large companies to find out if they participation in community service or college scholarship sponsorships. Check with major utility companies, hospitals, health care organizations, factories, real estate agencies, job-specific companies that relate to your college major or other local small and large businesses.

3. Non-Profit Organizations: Check with local and national organizations including Lion's Club, Elk's Club, Knights of Columbus and others. Most are typically related to religious organizations. Many of these clubs can offer smaller scholarships to help pay for books.

4. Internet Searches: Look online for various scholarship search listings. Apply for as many scholarships as you can online. Make sure to complete each application thoroughly and keep track of each application that you fill out. Follow up with each company if you don't hear anything after the deadline. The recipient may not need the scholarship and a back-up recipient may be chosen. Follow-up may help you become the back-up recipient.

5. Competitions: Various high school competitions such as science fairs, robot building contests, FFA, the annual duct tape prom dress contest, physics fairs, academic decathalon and other similar ventures may help you pay your way into college if you win. Keep an eye out for statewide and nationwide contests.

6. Student Loans: Although not ideal, taking out student loans may not be a bad alternative while getting into college. Although owing money is never pleasant, it is a means to an end and will help you achieve your goal of graduation from college.

[530shasta]

on 1/15/2009 Good tips, thanks!

[ibrahimj]

on 12/29/2008 Spiralina, the world would be a really boring place if all educated persons were nursing, business, and law majors.

[sneedc]

on 12/12/2008 These are extremely pro-active ways my kid can pay his way through college without my help! THANKS! I'm all over it.

[Spiralina]

on 12/2/2008 Good information. I agree with all your steps. I would also suggest choosing a major which people want to pay for. Business, nursing, law, etc. Important topic.

[StacyP]

on 11/25/2008 You have some unique suggestions for getting money for college. Nowadays, we need this info more than ever. Thanks!