How to Find Aid for College
It’s pretty amazing how quickly the college application season comes upon us. Every year it seems as though it just gets a little longer and a little more stressful (although we can’t imagine it ever being more stressful than the year we are currently in). But inevitably, with the applications being filled and filed, the other question will always follow: how does one find out about various sources of aid for college? Where does it come from and what does it all mean?
Photo by Material Boy
These are really positive questions to ask because when we look to make such significant investments, it’s prudent and wise (not only for the parents, but to set an example for the students, as well) to shop around and learn about deals.
That said, if you’re looking for some aid for college, it’s not as abundant as you might have heard. Typically, aid for college means any sort of financial help other than loans. This is my understanding of the term and may not be the way everybody sees it, but for this article, let’s just assume it is.
First of all, there are two main areas where you can look for aid: the universities where you’re admitted AND everywhere else. Aid for college comes in the form of merit scholarships and school grants which are doled out by the individual institutions based on financial need and academic merit. That’s pretty simple. Ask your university-of-choice what their merit scholarship programs look like and how you may qualify (if they offer these forms of aid).
The second place: everywhere else, is because the rest of the process of applying for and earning aid for college is going to be an entirely separate process. From filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to searching your school counselor’s office for local Rotary and Kiwanis scholarships, each of these will require you to invest time and probably more creative thinking (i.e. your applications) into the process. I know that sounds like a drag, but it’s not. If you’re really serious about finding some good aid for college, you have to prioritize and draw out a timeline. Go through your school’s packet of local scholarships (if they have this) and look for deadlines of each and what they require of you. Some will ask for a letter about yourself, a personal statement (which you can, perhaps, use your college essay for), a recommendation, an appearance somewhere, etc . . .
So begin ferreting through these different options in your quest for aid for college. Also, ask your parents and friends and family to check with their employer. Oftentimes, companies have scholarships and grants specifically reserved for the “children of employees”. This is an awesome resource. Go to your local service clubs: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Knights of Columbus, etc. . . and local networking and professional organizations that you might have in your city or town (i.e. women’s professional networking group, Latino professional networking group, etc . . .). These groups may help lead you to some gold at the end of the rainbow, if they don’t have scholarship funds, themselves.
Overall, if you want to find aid for college, you can’t finish your applications and think that everything’s done. That’s not how it works. It’s more hard work and organization but the good news is that you’re really already in the routine . . . so what will it hurt to keep on pushing your limits and seeing how much you can accomplish when you put your mind to it!
Go out there and give it a try. Find all the aid for college that you deserve.
Good luck.
