I am about to start my sophomore year at a public university. For high school students, their parents, and those hard-working adults who are currently trying to get a degree, I have a few words of advice.
#1. Get a fastweb account at fastweb.com - this site has thousands of private scholarship listed, but it narrows down the list based on your account information.
#2. If you haven't picked a college yet, consider this: public colleges are about to get hit hard. Many states are having to cut budgets, and are taking large chunks out of their financial aid sections. That means many public colleges are going to have less money to give for the increasing numbers of needy students. If you were really involved in high school and made good grades, a private college may be your best bet. Although they are more expensive, they also have more money to give in scholarships than public colleges.
#3. If you are not happy with your financial aid offer - do what this article suggests - call the office and file an appeal.
My mom is a single mother of 3 children ages 13-19 (I'm 19). I have 2 jobs during the summer (1 during the school year). My freshman year of college, I didn't get very much in grants or scholarships because colleges are hesitant to give out money when so many freshman flunk out their first year. However, I have about double the financial aid money now, thanks to making a good GPR and being involved. My mom only makes about $45k a year, with me only making about $3k a year, but we stayed strong that first year of college, and now our hard work has paid off.
C.B.of TX6:19PM August 13, 2009
My daughter worked very hard to earn a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship which in her Freshman year paid 100% of her Tuition and Books. Now this same scholarship for her Sophmore year is less and does not cover all of her tuition. Well, I think she should be grandfathered in because she had already earned what her original schlarship covered. Is this fair to those kids who worked so hard just to have what they earned to be reduced?
Cindie Maraof FL11:06AM August 12, 2009
I am a single mom. I am between a rock and a hard place due to the fact that I need $4,300 to complete my Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. I have had career changes and I have also had to deal with some medical issues. I apparently have utilized/maxed out what I can receive for student loans. I knew changing my career would be financial challenging but I was informed "not to worry..we can work something out." That "something out" became "pay the college $534 a month." Or, I would need a co-signor to get a side loan to pay this fee. Needless to say, I have not attended school since this complication arose. I am on forebearance now. Lucky me. I can't get Sallie Mae to add the $4,300 onto my account yet they can tack on the "interest" and threaten me if I don't pay it. I wish someone could explain that to me. I am working and a few months shy of doubling my salary with my degree yet I can't get assistance to help me finish.
Karen Hormuthof FL8:44AM August 12, 2009
We are a family of four, my husband works full time and so does my 18yo son. I am disabled and we have an 8yo son also. My problem is that we cannot afford my son's college. I am so depressed because he has signed up for night classes and we were anticipating some help with grants since I am disabled and can no longer work to help with our household income. Well, we found out that we were not eligible. Is there any other way to receive grants if you are just plain hard working white people? We pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, so student loans are not really a good idea. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.
Belindaof FL9:40AM July 30, 2009
After reading all these comments, I cannot help but feel extremely lucky. I attend Cornell and I was lucky enough to have my entire tuition covered by grants and scholarships awarded not only by Cornell, but by outside scholarships that I applied to. I come from a middle class family, I was in the top 4% of my graduating class, and I was involved in athletics and leadership positions (not because I was trying to build up my resume, but because I genuinely cared about those activities).
While I was applying for colleges I thoroughly researched their financial aid reputation. I found out if that college was konwn for being stingy, or if they tried to give their students as much grant money as possible. I had a good mix of colleges that I applied to; I didn't choose them just for academics, but I included several that I knew would offer me scholarships because of my high GPA and test scores, and yes...ethnicity (I assumed right with Denver University-- with 85% of their student body Caucasian, they offered me a 4-year full tuition scholarship). After the grueling application process was done, I then moved onto scholarship applications. I will admit that I am especially lucky as I am geographically and ethnically diverse, but I still believe it was my hard work that paid off.
Perhaps most importantly, my parents have been saving money for a long time in the event that we did not receive as much aid as we hoped.
I understand that each person's situation is different, but I think that is crucial to be a well-rounded applicant, research your schools' financial aid policies beforehand, and start saving for a long time before college! These are three things that can be done by anyone, no matter your situation.
surferof HI10:38PM July 14, 2009
I am a 20 yr old student who has attended community college for 2 years, recieved an associates with honors, and pays all my own bills. But after you graduate with an associates, you're either forced to stop educating yourself or go on to get a bachelor's. The comment about the perfect little angel's and begging for money REALLY is upsetting. I only get about $5000 a year for a 4-year degree and I work my tail end off just to be able to eat and live because I'm doing this all on my own. I already accumulated about 17000 in student loan debt just from a community college and one year of my four year school. DAVID, you're a jerk. You have no idea what some college students go through. I am paying my own way and most months run out of money the day I get paid with bills. And I don't make minimum wage like most college students. Just thought you should know that I don't ask Mommy and Daddy for money, nor have they gifted it out.
Trishof KS2:17PM July 14, 2009
BELIEVE ME , IF I HAD THE MONEY FOR MY SONS COLLEGE THATS WHERE IT WOULD GO TO.I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT PARENTS WOULD ASK FOR MONEY FOR THEIR KIDS AND SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY ON VACATIONS.
PATTYof SC1:38PM July 10, 2009
One hundred and eighty thousand dollars tuition.
Out-of-pocket expense that was seven hundred and fifty dollars last month.
What about the young people making less than one thousand dollars a month?
What about the people who can't even afford food to survive? Shame on you.
Blahof AL2:48AM July 10, 2009
Apparently some people (Looks at comment below) can't quite understand why there is financial aide.... I am busting my butt off just to get food much less pay for the $180K tuition for my college That's why there is financial aide! Just because I can't afford it now does not mean i shouldn't go! I worked as hard as I can all my life and I believe that i deserve that "government handout"... Now i'm not saying everyone deserves it there are some kids that just piss it away and those are the ones that don't deserve it at all until they learn what it means to have nothing at all
Garyof CA3:51PM June 26, 2009
What ever happened to hard work and paying your own way?? I can't believe the crying about wanting to suck the government tit and it being taken up. Tell your angels to get a job and help pay their own way. Of for those of you claiming to make good money and just "squeaking" by maybe you shouldn't have squandered all your money over the years. Begging for money from the government is not the answer. They keep you sheep begging and they'll continue to rob you blind. The Liberal feel goods are the ones that have funneled all your beg money to the people that don't deserve it trying to buy votes. Wake up folks. Use a community college for a while and make sure your little angels are going to stick to it and make them work while they do so. I guarantee after they work their asses off they won't keep coming to the govt begging for money like yourselves. Good luck and I actually hope you guys don't get my tax money, earn your own way.
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C.B. of TX 6:19PM August 13, 2009
Cindie Mara of FL 11:06AM August 12, 2009
Karen Hormuth of FL 8:44AM August 12, 2009
Belinda of FL 9:40AM July 30, 2009
surfer of HI 10:38PM July 14, 2009
Trish of KS 2:17PM July 14, 2009
PATTY of SC 1:38PM July 10, 2009
Blah of AL 2:48AM July 10, 2009
Gary of CA 3:51PM June 26, 2009
David of MO 12:58PM June 25, 2009