In January, more than 20 million students will file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and many will submit applications with mistakes. Simple errors can delay or even derail your chances of receiving financial aid, not only at the federal level, but also at the state level and at prospective colleges. To ensure you receive the most aid possible, be sure to avoid these common FAFSA mistakes.
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Many of you may have experienced struggles in your lives. You may have lost a parent (or both) far too soon or battled a life-threatening illness. Maybe you struggled with learning disabilities that made it difficult to succeed in school or have had family issues that are too painful to even mention. These obstacles can either break you or make you stronger. Personally, I believe our struggles help build character and allow us to face new obstacles with resolve. If you have dealt with some serious issues in your life, you might be surprised to find that your ability to face those obstacles may lead to free money for college. There are several organizations that recognize and reward students who have struggled to succeed. Regardless of your past, your future could look a whole lot brighter with the help of one of these scholarship programs. Read the rest of this entry »
As student loan debt continues to climb, and more students face the challenge of paying for their degrees, our country’s leaders continue to look for creative programs to help more students gain access to college. In Florida, for example, Governor Rick Scott issued a challenge to the state’s college administrators to lower the cost of a bachelor’s degree to under $10,000 over four years. Although only a handful of colleges accepted the challenge, at least it’s a start. Unfortunately, students may not see any dramatic decreases in tuition anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other resources that can significantly reduce, or even eliminate, a student’s overall college debt. For those who want to attend college without going broke, these programs may just fit the bill. Read the rest of this entry »
If you haven’t been on Pinterest, you’re really missing out. Not only does the site offer a ton of great do-it-yourself (DIY) projects and yummy recipes, but it is also the third largest social networking site. That fact did not go unnoticed by many colleges. Many have ramped up their recruiting efforts and marketing by creating some pretty cool Pinterest pages to draw in prospective students. Let’s face it, today’s students don’t want to wade through a pile of boring brochures; they want to be visually stimulated and have some fun too. You can find a slew of colleges on Pinterest, but most still resemble those boring brochures. A few, however, really understand what students want to see. Here, in my opinion, are the 10 colleges with the most Pinteresting pages! Read the rest of this entry »
Financial aid is a lot like a football game. If you’re unfamiliar with the lingo, it can leave you dazed and confused. Just imagine what it would be like if a coach were to send in a quarterback without giving him a playbook or any tools to create an effective offense. In most cases, he would fail to move the ball. For some students, that’s exactly what has happened during the college planning process; they’ve received their college financial aid applications, but nobody has taken the time to explain what it all means. But don’t throw in the towel just yet. Here are 10 important terms that can help you score a financial aid touchdown! Read the rest of this entry »
When most people think about sports scholarships, they probably think about football, basketball, or baseball. Although it is more common for colleges to provide financial aid to athletes who participate in these sports, there are several colleges and organizations that provide awards for a different type of athlete. I’m talking about students who have spent their lives chasing the elusive ‘perfect game’ and those who can get a ‘turkey’ or a ‘hambone’ on a consistent basis. You won’t find these athletes in the pool or on a court; they prefer to challenge themselves indoors, avoiding goal posts at all costs. Who are these atypical athletes? They’re bowlers! It may come as a surprise, but students who participate in sanctioned bowling leagues have access to several athletic scholarships, especially those who are skilled at the sport. Here are just a few of the many college scholarships available to bowlers.
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Transitioning from high school to college can be overwhelming for any student, but a student with a learning disability may find it even more difficult. In high school, a student may have received an Individualized Education Program (IEP), but college presents a new set of challenges. First, the student must decide whether to disclose his/her learning disability. Although some students may find it helpful to include this information in their college admission essay (explaining why some grades or test scores may not be up to par), others may choose to keep the matter private. If the student finds he/she may need some assistance on campus, such as a tutor or special accommodations in the classroom, the college may require documentation to support the student’s disability claim before providing the requested services. This may be anything from a physician’s letter to a formal psychiatric evaluation. It is also a good idea for students to review the Americans with Disabilities Act to know what rights they have to services and accommodations under the law. In addition, the National Center for Learning Disabilities provides many resources to help students and their parents navigate the transition from high school to college.
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In a few weeks, high school students will be heading back to school! For seniors, working on college applications will become a top priority. Students may feel bombarded with advice about how to write a college admission essay, how to decide on a college major, and where to find free money for college. For the most part, things haven’t changed too much; students can still find available scholarships and financial aid through the traditional resources, such as their guidance counselor, parent’s employers, and free online scholarship search tools. But there’s a new kid on the block who’s making a lot of noise in the world of college financial aid – Pinterest! The website that is best known for great recipes and do-it-yourself projects now offers a fun and easy way to find free money for college.
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There’s a college myth that has been floating around for years – scholarships are only for high school seniors or older. Wrong! If you were one of the students who bought into this myth, you know the frustration and stress associated with finding free money for college in just a few short months. There’s nothing worse than trying to cram in a bunch of scholarship essays on top of applying to colleges, taking college entrance exams, and trying to maintain your grade point average. It’s enough to make anyone throw up their hands and give up.
In fact, savvy high school counselors and college prep advisers know that your college scholarship search should start the moment you enter high school, if not sooner. Read the rest of this entry »
Are your parents on your case about finding free money for college? Do you dread the thought of spending hours filling out applications and writing essays? If you are like many students who have put off applying for scholarships until the last minute, fear not: there’s hope for you yet. The good news is that not every scholarship program requires you to submit a 1,000-word essay to win an award. In fact, there are several fun and easy programs that are perfect for even the most reluctant scholarship hunters. The catch is that there may be several thousands of other procrastinators applying with you, but if you have the luck of the Irish on your side, you may still cash in on some free college money! Check out these quick and easy scholarships… Read the rest of this entry »
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