With our current economy, it is becoming more difficult for students and their parents to afford a good college education. However, there are many different resources out there that can assist you in reducing your overall tuition fees. If you are having difficulty getting a full scholarship, these programs can be very beneficial in reducing the amount of money you’ll have to spend on your education.
First, it is a good idea to start locally. Many organizations offer students partial scholarships. The Modern Woodsmen are a good example of an organization that provides students with small scholarships. If you are having difficulty finding local companies, check with your high school guidance counselor. They will be able to assist you in tracking down these potential scholarships and they can also help you apply.
Next, it is a good idea to see if there are any available grants for a major that you are interested in. Several large companies help students who want to major in computer science, technology or other specialty fields. There are also government grants available for students in need.
After these options are exhausted, you may want to research specific school programs. For example, Harvard offers low income students free educations, while middle class students can get a reduction on their tuition fees. There are of course some regulations and limitations for these programs, but if you are academically sound, you should be able to get a sizeable reduction in tuition costs with these programs.
Your last bet is financial aid. There are many specific school organizations that offer financial aid packages, and there are federal programs in place to assist students in paying for their educations. Make sure that you understand the restrictions with these loans, which may require you to keep a specific grade point average or attendance record. You will need to pay this money back, but if you are completely out of options, this is usually your best bet.
Look for a financial aid package that offers a low interest rate on the money that you will need for school. It is a good idea to start paying on these loans right away, if you can. This will reduce the overall amount that you will owe over time and reduces the stress of having to find a job immediately after leaving school in order to pay the loan back on time.
