I have to pay for college… Part One: Student Loans

If you’re like most high school graduates or thinking about going back to college, the prospect of having to pay for it can be overwhelming if you don’t have a lot of money saved. According to a 2015 survey of 5,000 Americans by marketwatch.com, about 62% only had about $1,000 in savings and another 20% didn’t even have a savings account. Additionally, the average cost of college tuition in America today according to collegedata.com for the 2015-2016 school year is $9,410 for in-state residents attending a public university, $23,893 for out-of-state residents attending to a public university and $32,405 to private colleges. These costs do not include textbooks or living expenses if you will not be living at home or with relatives who can help you. Finally, there are additional expenses to consider like computers, lab costs, tutoring, etc. So the big question is, how does one person pay for everything?

The answer is not simple; Paying for college usually involves multiple strategies. Assuming you don’t have anything saved for college, the most obvious solution would be to fill out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, with the US Department of Education on their website. By doing so, you’ll find out if and what types of student loans you can qualify for. This is generally the best option if you need to borrow money to help pay for college, because interest rates are typically lower and repayment terms are more flexible. However, you should only borrow money if you haven’t exhausted all other options to pay for your education, because a large student loan debt upon graduation can be a burden. Interest will continue to accrue on your student loan if you wait to start making payments, it will only add to the total amount you owe and make repaying your loan even more difficult. Treat any type of loan as being in the same category as an emergency; Don’t borrow money unless absolutely necessary!

I have to pay for college… Part 2: Free money

Have you ever heard the term “nothing is free”? Well, “free money” for college, like scholarships and grants, is essentially “free money,” with some other form of cost involved. For example, Fund for Thought requires you to complete and submit an application and write an essay to be considered for a scholarship. The cost in this example would be the application fee ($20) and the time spent completing the essay packet. The “cost” is low compared to the possibility of receiving $2,000 of “free money” for college. Scholarships and grants are “free money” because you don’t have to pay them back, they are an award for some kind of grade or achievement.

You should apply for as many scholarships and grants as you can find. The best places to look are online scholarship databases, a high school guidance counselor, or the financial aid office at the college you’ll be attending. These places often have extensive lists of current scholarships available and can help you if you have questions about applying. In addition, local civic organizations, churches, and businesses will sponsor scholarships available to students in your area. Check your local paper and community ads and you may find “free money” with little competition. The bottom line is that if you spend time searching for scholarships and grants, your chances of receiving “free money” for college are greater.

I have to pay for college… Part 3: Scholarship Search

We wanted to go into more detail about searching for scholarships because there are so many resources available that it can be a daunting task for the individual student. There are several different types of scholarships available and they are classified by different attributes. We thought it would be best to write a list to help give you some ideas and guidance as you begin your search.

1. scholarships for high school students

2. undergraduate scholarships

3. master scholarships

4. national scholarships

5. international scholarships (Canadian scholarships, scholarships for exchange students)

6. free scholarships

7. Online Scholarships

8. full travel scholarships

9. Community Service Scholarship

10. Company Sponsored Scholarships (Pepsi Scholarship, Walmart Scholarship, McDonald’s Scholarship)

11. Race/Ethnicity Scholarships (Native American Scholarships, Hispanic Scholarship Fund)

12. area of ​​study scholarships (journalism scholarships, law school scholarships)

13. grants in areas of need (teaching grant, early intervention grant)

14. Merit-based scholarships based on academic or athletic achievement

This list is not extensive, but the goal is to help you get started. Getting free money for college is possible for everyone. By applying for as many scholarships as you can, you will increase your chances of getting an award.