Avoid Scholarship Scams
Students get lots of offers that promise to save them money. Chances are that you or your parents have received mail from scholarship-search companies claiming that they can get you "free" money to pay for college. But before you sign up, you should know that ... Read moreBorrow for College without Going Bust
When deciding how much money to borrow for college, evaluate your expenses and then figure out to reduce them. The first step is to set up a budget that maps out your expenses. It's a good idea to invest in financial software (such as Quicken or Microsoft Money) ... Read moreConsider the Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program, also known as FWSP or "Work-Study," is a way for some financial aid recipients to secure part-time employment to earn money while enrolled in college. Through Work-Study, the federal government pays from 50% to 100% of an eligible ... Read moreConsidering a PLUS Loan
PLUS stands for Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students. As long as you are a dependent student and are attending college on at least a part-time basis, then your parents can take out a PLUS loan and borrow federally guaranteed, low-interest loans to help pay for ... Read moreDeal with the FAFSA
Students considering their upcoming college years usually give thought to their financial futures, too. The most immediate concern: how to pay all the bills associated with higher education. Read moreDebunking Some Common Myths about Financial Aid
Once you start applying to college, and for the financial aid to help you pay for it, you're likely to start hearing some rumors. Below are some of the most common myths about scholarships and financial aid, and the real deal behind them. Read moreThe Differences between Scholarship and Student Loan Payouts
Scholarships are generally granted in the same fashion as student loans. Whereas a student loan check is often cut directly to you, the student, you're not likely to ever lay eyes on your scholarship money. Instead, the scholarship money goes elsewhere: If a ... Read moreThe Federal Pell Grant System
A Pell Grant is financial aid that comes directly from the U.S. federal government, from a program that is sponsored by the Department of Education. Unlike federal student loans, a Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Eligibility of Pell Grant recipients is ... Read moreFind Out about Federal Student Aid
Uncle Sam has the most money available for student financial aid. If you're undecided about whether or not to apply, think about this: Your tax dollars go to finance these programs, so if you are eligible, you are essentially tapping into a resource that you are ... Read moreGet to Know the CSS Profile Form
Anyone even vaguely familiar with the college application process has seen, heard, or spoken the famous financial aid acronym, FAFSA (for Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Read moreGetting Financial Aid Information at School
Once you've decided to seek out scholarship money to pay for college, the first person you should talk to is your high school guidance counselor. Part of the job of a guidance counselor is to know what's going on with regard to grants, scholarships, and student ... Read morePlaces You Might Not Think to Look for Scholarships
Every year, thousands of dollars allocated to scholarships go unused because no one applied for them. When it comes to paying for college, think creatively when you search for scholarships, and you might turn up some free money for college from a source you ... Read morePut "Sticker Price" in Perspective
Right before rushing out to buy lottery tickets and money tree seeds, repeat this phrase over and over: "I will not rule out any college or university because of the cost." Read moreTry to Sweeten Your Financial Aid Package
In the crush of the admissions season, financial aid offices are literally inundated with paper, and despite everyone's best efforts, things do occasionally get lost or misfiled. Even if you think you have filed all the necessary paperwork with the schools on ... Read more