Parents moving college student into her dorm.
It’s FAFSA time!
This is one of the changes that’s happening to the FAFSA: families are able to start applying today. Head over to the FAFSA website and start your application now. It will probably take about an hour.
As it gets closer to the May/June season of graduations it’s time for many to think about college costs.
Even if you don’t think you will be awarded any income based grants, you should apply for aid using the FAFSA application just in case. It’s free to apply.
Remember to check that you want to have Work-Study grants on the FAFSA application. Work-Study grants allow for students have part-time jobs on campus. They are a great way to gain work experience and a decent wage.
Apply for grants from the school you’ll be attending as well as general grant clearinghouses such as Fast Web. Site should not charge you to have access to grant information.
Consider local, in-state schools as well as out-of-state schools. There are some very good bargains to be had in education. Don’t fall for the hype. Almost all undergrad degrees are equal. Going to a school with a great general reputation doesn’t mean that your major has a great department or that you’ll be offered a job automatically after graduation. Find a school that has a great department in your major and has great connections to jobs, research, etc.
Buy used textbooks. There is no reason to pay full price for textbooks. When you get on campus you’ll see notices from other students wanting to sell their old textbooks. Buying from other students is a great way to buy book cheaply. Another way to buy used textbooks is to visit the college bookstore or buy online.
Take out loans only as a last resort. Many students get stuck in student loan ruts.
Lastly, there are college and universities that will provide enough grants to make your college experience free! I found this list of 10 schools that will provide you with a great education and expect no payment.
For those that aren’t going off to college just yet, remember that high school students can:
– Take advance placement classes that will provide the student with college credit. Placement classes are available at high schools. Students sign up for these classes with their high school counselors. They are a great way to prepare students for the rigor of college coursework and shave a few dollars off of college costs.
– Take college courses at a community college while still in high school. Many students have done so well in their high school careers that by senior year they don’t plan on taking too many challenging classes. This is folly. Taking even two classes at a community college each semester over senior year, including summer, will knock off paying for a whole semester of college costs.
From Cherokee Pheonix:
Cherokee Nation Higher Education Scholarship deadline is June 12
By Staff Reports
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation Higher Education Scholarship application deadline of June 12 draws near for the 2009-10 academic school year.
The desired outcomes of the scholarship program include strengthening the tribe’s sovereignty, increasing the capacity of its citizens and promoting the Cherokee language and culture, according to the CN Web site.
Applications may be picked up in the CN Office of Higher Education in the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex or downloaded at http://scholarships.cherokee.org, as well as the CN Web site http://www.Cherokee.org, under the “Check it Out” section.
Students may use a checklist of required documents that are to be included with the application. Students also must have applied for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. To apply for the FAFSA or to get more information, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
High school seniors graduating in May can apply now with an official seven-semester transcript. Applications must be postmarked by June 12. Applications received after this date will be considered late and unacceptable.
Scholarship recipients are required to volunteer one hour of service to the CN or community for every $100 they receive in scholarship funding. For example, if a student receives a $1,000 scholarship per semester, the student will be required to volunteer 10 community service hours.
Students will be notified in writing when the Higher Education office receives their complete application. Students will also be notified in writing the first week of August if they are selected for a scholarship.
From Nutka:
The MCCA Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program provides scholarship support for newly entering first year law students. The Scholarship Program will provide scholarships at $10,000 per year for up to three years. The total commitment per student is up to $30,000. In addition, several students will also receive a one-time award of $10,000 to assist with their first year expenses. MCCA intends to foster mentoring opportunities for the selected scholars as well as assist in the placement of the winners in paid summer internship positons with corporate law departments during the summer immediately following successful completion of their first year of law school.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to show proof of same, if requested. Applicant must show proof of his/her acceptance into a U.S. accredited law school on or before the application deadline (to start in fall 2009). Applicant must have an interest in corporate law, including working in a corporate law department and/or law firm. Applicant must have an interest in diversity. Applicant must be financially disadvantaged and have completed the FAFSA and provide additional documents as requested. Applicant must demonstrate community service and leadership qualities. Applicant must have earned an undergraduate or graduate cumulative g.p.a. of 3.2 or higher. Applicant must be enrolled in law school on a FULL-TIME basis in the fall 2009.
Program is OPEN TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS.
Online application closes on June 1.
There are a few ways to get financial aid for college, but the best way is still to apply for Free government grants. The FAFSA application is a short questionaire that asks about your family’s income and your education status. If you were a ward of the court you can apply as an Independant student. Independant students don’t need to provide thier parent’s information.
The whole application takes only about 20 minutes, but you can get several types of grants and aid for any community college and university with one application.
Bigger Than Your Block 