Get Started – Financial
Aid
Below is a condensed list of the MyCollegeCalendar
information and advice regarding all types of financial aid.
1. Learn the sources of free money and criteria
for winning scholarships
and grants.
2. Learn the types
of scholarships and grants. Be prepared to apply for the scholarships you have the best chance of
winning.
3. Applying
for financial aid: How to apply for each kind.
4. Submit
winning scholarship applications.
Winning applications don’t simply list and discuss student activities
and awards, they paint a vivid and impressive portrait of students as
a person and future member of the college community.
5. Scholarship
essays should be written to illustrate who you are, to make a lasting
impression, and to encourage members of the scholarship judging committee
to care about you.
6. Search for national
scholarships using online search engines. Register with Fastweb.com.
7. Learn about the most common
scholarship pitfalls and how to
avoid them.
8. Student
loans:
Learn student loan options and which lenders are the best (and worst).
9. Determine
the size of student loan you need and
arrange
to borrow money.
Calculate
how much you need to borrow by summing your financial aid awards and comparing them to the cost of
attendance.
10. Apply
for student loans:
The process for applying for federal loans is automatic when the FAFSA
is submitted; each alternative or private loan has its own unique application
requirements.
11. When choosing
a lender,
remember government sources of money (Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS loans)
almost always offer the best interest rates and repayment options. Alternative
or private loans should be considered only when government loans have
been exhausted.
12. Federal
Work Study is a part-time job with an hourly wage. These student jobs are
usually located on-campus and are designed to help students earn wages
to pay for books and other materials. Students should research
and apply for available Federal Work Study jobs before arriving on campus.
13. Summary
Table of Scholarships and Grants – provides
information on how to apply, when to apply, who is eligible, and how
much may be awarded for each type of scholarships and grant.
14. Summary
Table of Student Loans – provides information
on how to apply, when to apply, who is eligible, how much money may
be borrowed, repayment terms, interest rates and fees.
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