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Money for College
SAVINGS - No matter how little time and money you have, start saving for college now! There are many ways to save...choose what works best for you. Check with your own bank/credit union, some pay $ for A's on report cards!
The FAFSA - Everyone who wants to go to college should apply. Apply between January and March of your Senior year of high school. Must be re-filed each year you are in college/university. (Beware of any site that charges you to pay to file, the FAFSA is FREE.
GRANTS - Based on financial need (determined by filing the FAFSA), don't have to be paid back, usually provided by federal or state government.
WORK STUDY - you may be able to get a job on campus (work-study) to help pay. Flexible hours, sometimes reflects your major (business office, math tutor, chemistry lab), pays for tuition and get money to take home.
STUDENT LOANS - These must be repaid even if you don't graduate, or don't pass your classes. Vary by college, based on financial need. Most common are: Subsidized loans: Don't accrue interest as long as you are enrolled at least half-time in college. Unsubsidized loans: begin accruing interest as soon as you start receiving them, and you are responsible to pay this interest as soon as it starts. Any unpaid interest will be capitalized (added to the loan as interest), after you graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school.
SCHOLARSHIPS - Start applying for scholarships as early as 9th grade. Create a scholarship profile on search websites. Look at schools you are interested in attending. Each school has their own scholarships that must be used at that particular school. There are also scholarships available to you that you can use at ANY school you choose to go to. Talk to your parents jobs, sometimes companies have scholarships for their workers students. Apply for scholarships you are not sure you will get, the worst thing they can say is, "No".
Don't get discouraged by rejection. Apply for large and small scholarships.
Don't get discouraged by rejection. Apply for large and small scholarships.