10 Tips for Getting More Financial Aid

WHERE WERE YOU DURING SLAVERY

America is 70% European descent. It is likely if you put your hand in the jar, that's what will come up. In order to be fair, specific efforts have to be made to ensure that those outside of the majority have a shot.

No one ever asks why are all the white kids sitting together in the cafeteria, or why most of the senior management positions in the company are European descent, nor why is my neighborhood heterogeneous. It is probabaly due to the numbers, but more likely due to "white privlege", that invisible centuries old handout.

I wish there were more voices objecting to preference decisions during slavery and the subsequent decades of overt discrimination against non Europeans descendants. Just think how level the playing field might be today.

When the descendants and friends of those who enslaved others are ready to acknowledge the benefits, profits and privleges they still enjoy as a result of that horrid institution, then perhaps the descendants of those oppressed might give up the idea of a hand up.

Re re aid is not about race

To all those attacking the woman whose son got the athletic scholarship I would like to point out that she wasn't trying to get money for that child but her other children who hadn't gotten a scholarship. The point of her comment was that it's hard for everyone to get scholarships no matter their color. I think that's something most of is can agree on.

Re: Race is not the issue

Times are hard for everyone. When I was standing in the Financial Aid line a few weeks ago there were just as many blacks as whites. This is not a race issue and how dare race be brought into the equation. Grow up and get over minor differences because everybodies suffering now.

To the parent of the child with the full scholarship: Ma'am I'm sorry that your son doesn't have spending money. What you should do is point out to him that since he does have a roof over his head and something to eat, along with a free education, he should probably not complain that he doesn't have spending money. We should all learn to be thankful for what we have and realize that things could be so much worse.

My thoughts constantly are how to keep going to school because I can't get financial aid. My husband and I both work and take care of our 3 kids. We come out of pocket to pay for my education because we are supposedly doing well if you let our government tell it. Stop looking for more hand outs when you're already getting one and that goes to everyone.

Also stop making this about RACE because I am BLACK!!!!!!!

how much can i get paid in year

i am trying to find out hoe=w much money can i make in a year berfore gragd from high school and wont her my financial aid

Re: Aid is not about race

In regards to the letter below, you stated that your son received a full athletic scholarship, but needs money for everyday expenses. Is his receiving a free college education not enough? The government should give him money on top of this? I realize that college athletes usually don't have time for a job or other means to support themselves, but please spare us the pity party. My son wasn't blessed with the athletic ability that would save me $60,000 or more in student loans, and if he had been, I sure wouldn't be complaining about needing more free money on top of it.

I agree, though, that race should have nothing to do with it.

Aid is not about race

To those of you who keep injecting that you're white and not receiving aid, you need to be ashamed of yourselves. It seems as if you think all people of color get aid because of their race. This is not the case. I'm an African American female, married and have 3 children. The two oldest children will be in their sophomore and freshman years in college this fall. Our oldest son earned a full athletic scholarship, but needs money for everyday expenses, that we don't have. Our second child graduated with honors, was an NHS student, played varsity basketball and was active in DECA for marketing. He didn't get any scholarships he applied for nor a dime in aid, just Stafford loans and we took a parent plus loan for the rest. I just lost my job this month because my company closed it's doors so now we're going through the appeal process. My husband only makes $34K a year, but because he works for the city, he and thousands of city workers have to take a 10% pay cut starting September. Because the economy is so bad, especially here in Michigan, our oldest could not find summer employment to help with his 2nd year college expenses so we're going through the process of getting a Stafford loan. If I hadn't lost my job, we would not have a leg to stand on for an appeal, regardless of the fact that we're black, so let's not make this a race thing.

Advice from a current student...

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.

Bright Futures Scholarship

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?

Financial Aid Extended

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.

Advise needed on Financial Aid

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.