Paying for School
By: Tara Yuill
No matter what your financial circumstance are, you may need to have some financial help getting through college. Don’t panic, there are a variety of ways to pay for school.
The three most common ways to pay for school are scholarships, grants and loans.
Scholarships are awarded to individuals who have met certain criteria. Many scholarships are based on academic performance, but there are also a lot of scholarships that are awarded for a variety of other reasons. In order to receive a scholarship you will need to identify one that fits with you and then you will need to submit your application. Often it is necessary for you to write a letter explaining why you feel that you deserve the scholarship.
Grants are awarded to students who submit an application. Typically they are given out on monetary need basis.
Loans are another way to pay for school. Unlike scholarships and grants loans do have to be paid back. Student loans are offered at a lower interest rate and typically do not come due until after you have graduated.
Part-time jobs and internships can provide a great double benefit. They can be a source of funds and help build your work experience portfolio at the same time. Visit your career center on campus to find out about opportunities. Even if you are not eligible for work-study positions, there, there are often additional jobs being posted at the career center every day. It’s a good idea to regularly visit the career center and get to know the staff. Make sure they have you name, phone number, e-mail address and your interests. They will call you first when a great job comes into the center!
The following sites have some additional information on paying for school:
www.collegeanswer.com
www.scholarships.com
www.fastweb.com
For more specific information on paying for school you will want to contact your financial aid department at the school you want to attend.
