Wednesday, August 22, 2007

How to get a Free College Scholarship and Get the Degree you Want

fresh graduates from high schools all over America have the same problem finding a free scholarship for college. While for those who have gone to private schools, money won't seem to be a problem as their parents could probably afford it. But for the millions of kids that go to public schools, this is a problem that has hounded them for years.

Many of these kids don’t even bother thinking about college. Most of them just get jobs and think about their independence. But how many of them do actually succeed and lead comfortable lives and get good earning jobs?

The chances are very slim. Getting a good college degree is the key to expedite the climb to the corporate ladder plus, they also get the much needed knowledge to be competitive in the work force. The diploma is not just a piece of paper that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, the education that comes with those four years of hard work and great college fun is what you invest in.

But did you know that many college students from all over the country have been receiving scholarship money amounting to billions of dollars every year? This money comes from different sources and are divided up by many college students to get a free scholarship for college.

So the next question would be, how will you be able to get your hands into some of this money to finance your college education? Here are some steps many experts have recommended.

Start your search the earliest possible.

Don’t wait until you are in your senior year to find the source of these free scholarships. Even though you are just a junior, even in your sophomore year in high school, you should be able to start looking. There are even scholarships that are already awarded to junior year high school students. The first place you should go to look for these scholarships is in the counseling office of your high school. Then follow it up at the college financial aid office. You may also try the local community and civic organizations in your area. The Department of Education from your state is also a good place for inquiries. And of course, the Internet.

Never stop looking for free scholarships.

Some scholarships are only good for a year or two. The more back up scholarship programs you have the more likely you will be able to finish your degree.

Hone your skills and interests.

There are many scholarship grantees that focuses on a persons skills, particular interest, ethnicity, athletic and extracurricular achievements or religion, so even if you do not have the highest academic distinction in your class, you still have a chance to be a scholar.

Be prompt with the deadlines

Note the dates when you have to pass your requirements, being late in your submission is as good as not submitting at all.

Grab every opportunity.

Apply for every scholarship program that you think you may qualify for. You may not pass in all of them, but at least you have other options.

Beware of the many scams in the Internet; if a website is charging you, this is likely just a con to get some money. Be relentless in your search and you will get that college degree you need with a college free scholarship.



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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Comprehending College Scholarship and Attain it Easily

Whenever a student enters college, especially those who belong in a family that earns an average income, the sole thing that pressures them is the expensive amount needed for the education, which almost crushes them financially to the ground.

Money, is the established traditional excuse for the financially unprivileged students to fail in pursuing their college education, it has always been the issue, worn out by time.

However, this issue is by far resolved when the scholarship became accessible to the disadvantaged. Through scholarships, the expenses for college became easy for the students.

To most people, the term scholarship is likewise used up by time. But how far do we really understand the term “scholarship”?

It is a fact that for most students and parents the term scholarship can still be confusing. Whenever they hear the term, they directly associate it to free tuition and fees, students’ loans, and grants.

But knowing the exact process of scholarship could save you and your parents’ purse from too much drainage of money, most probably tens of thousands of dollars, as the scholarship takes charge of your education.

Basically, scholarship are monetary grants given by the state government, public and private institutions and organizations, college, institutions, charitable foundations, guilds and the like for educational use.

Additionally, scholarship is different from student loans, the scholarship gives off money without the condition of repaying it. While the student loans involve the agreement of repaying the borrowed money to supplement the students’ college educational expenses at a certain time, and with the corresponding interests.

The following are the list of available scholarships:

• National Merit Scholarship
• Athletic Scholarship
• Career, Professional, and Trade-Association-Sponsored Scholarships
• Academic Merit Scholarship
• FASFA
• Work Study
• Special Scholarships
• Ethnic and Religious Scholarship
• Alumni Legacy Scholarship
• Transfer Student Scholarship
• Community Organization Sponsored Scholarship

With all of these available scholarships it became quite perplexing for certain students to recognize the scholarship that would fit best their qualifications.

Most often the problem lies on the searching process, which scholarship to apply for, and where will they apply.

The most possible answer for this setback is basically to know the proper resources. There is the college scholarship search engine; you can access it for free in the internet. Through this, you will not just save your time and money; you can also get recent updates.

On the other hand, it is suggested that you read carefully the requirements, if you think you are fitted then you can proceed on your application, if you think you don’t, and then try to look for another. Remember, as you apply for more scholarships, there will be greater chances that you will be able to win a scholarship or more.

Furthermore, most of the scholarships are based on the academic performances of the students, the ability for attaining and maintaining high-grades. While some are based on the students’ artistic ability, excellence in sports, or awarded to the students who excel in a specific field.

The facts presented in this article can be sum up to a specific thing, once you know how to accumulate the information, the process on applying for a scholarship, and where your qualification suits, it will only be easier for you to attain financial aid throughout your college years.



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Sunday, August 19, 2007

List of Available Scholarships

Here's an excellent source of available scholarships. This site provides with free list of available scholarships that you can apply to. All information related to Scholarship sponsor, Application Deadline, Amount and requirements are listed for every scholarship. Hopefully you can take advantage of the same.

Site: http://www.collegescholarships.com/scholarships.html



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How to Apply for a College Scholarship

When we speak of college scholarship application, the burden is always on the parents. Since they have the responsibility over the education of their children and they know what will be good for them, parents apply personally for the college scholarship of their children.

What if we turn the tide? From primary to secondary education, your parents accepted the responsibility. But you are old enough to take care of a simple college scholarship application. It takes some courage, self-confidence, and some excellent academic records to apply for a college scholarship. Keep in mind that is you who will utilize the financial aid that comes with the scholarship and not your parents. Thus, applying for a college scholarship is now your business, and you can do it with less supervision from your parents.

The procedure for college scholarship application is similar when you apply for college. You need to learn every scholarship opportunity available and make a list of potential prospects that you think will fit your personal needs. Once through with the list, you need to create an application letter and state your achievements (good high school scholastic records and recommendation letters from your high school director and teachers) and you are now on your way on getting into college for less, if not for free.

The above-mentioned procedure is the most common way of getting a college scholarship. However, the chances of success lies in you, and you need to exert more effort to assure yourself of a financial aid when you go to college. To increase your chances, here are some pointers that you can consider:

• You should start as early as your high school years. There are many college scholarships that open during your senior high school year. In addition, these financial aid programs are only open in a specific period of time. Once the application closes, you have to wait for another year before you can file for your application. Starting early will give you better chances of getting the best financial aid available.

• Give importance to the scholarship requirements. Keep in mind that among all available scholarships, there are only few that will fit your qualifications. Read the eligibility standards of the college scholarship that you want to apply. If you found out that the financial aid does not fit with the qualifications that you have, search for another. Do not insist yourself on scholarships where your chances of success is minute.

• Do not forget to complete the requirements asked by the college scholarship. Prepare the documents that are commonly asked by the scholarship grantee to its applicants.

• Your application letter will be your “speaking alter-ego” to the sponsor of the college scholarship you have applied for. Thus, you need to create an application letter that will convince the sponsor that you honestly need the financial aid and you deserve to get one, state honest information in your application. Never include false information especially if your purpose is just to “flatter” the sponsor with your achievements.

After you followed the aforementioned recipe, you are now ready to submit your application to the scholarship screening committee. Be prepared for other requirements (such as interviews and examinations) that will determine if you are eligible to receive a college scholarship.

Follow the aforementioned college freshman’s recipe when you apply for a college scholarship. And best of all, do not forget to pray that the sponsor would consider you eligible for the college scholarship. Good luck!



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Saturday, August 18, 2007

College Scholarship: Guide to Parents on Getting Financial Aid for their Children

Many believe that being a parent is the happiest moment in the life of a human being. Probably you still remember the excitement that you felt when your wife gave birth to your first child. There are times that you will not sleep because you want to take care of your child even in the midst of the evening. You want to ensure that he/she will sleep soundly through the night.

It is true that happiness comes with children in the family. However, such happiness could be achieved if you are responsible enough with your children. You need to provide all of their needs, starting from their infancy until the time that they are studying. Although it will really cost you a lot, you have the responsibility to your children, especially in giving them the education that they need.

If you have children who are now going to college, you have to think of their financial needs. Probably you still remember your own collegiate years and you are aware of the financial needs of an ordinary college student. However, the difference is that you are now the parent—you will now be the one to think of the different payments that you need to settle for your children’s college education, such as college application, scholastic assessment test expenditures, transcript of records, and others. Add to it the lodging and food allowance of your children if the college or university is far away from your own residence.

Thinking all of these college-related expenses could be overwhelming and bothering as well, especially if your salary is not enough to support such expenses and your family’s financial needs at the same time. But if you know how to get a college financial aid for your children, you will find out that everything will work out smoothly.

How you will start your search for the college financial aid for your children? Here are some tips that you can start with:

• When your children are still on their high school years, you should start searching for potential universities that offer college scholarships for deserving freshman students as well as financial aid programs funded by different organizations. You may start your search on the Internet to look for possible college financial aid options for your children.

• Once you find a prospective university, visit their main office and inquire for any college scholarship or financial aid offers.

• Always ask for the cut-off dates of filing and submission of college financial aid application forms.

• Tell your children about the importance of a scholarship to their college education. Make them aware that they have plenty of options to consider as long as they have good high school scholastic records. In this way, you will be able to motivate them to study harder and make good grades, thus increasing your chances of a good financial aid.

• You may also consider filing an application for financial aid programs funded by the Federal government. State-owned colleges and universities offer this kind of financial assistance to qualified and deserving students who want to pursue their college studies despite of financial difficulties. You may submit the FAFSA (Free Application Form Student Aid) personally.

• Make certain that you have completed all the FAFSA requirements (such as present statement of bank accounts, monthly income records, present mortgage information, and others) and understand the rights or specialadvantages before accepting the financial aid for your children. You may also check if the financial aid is renewable.

With different financial aid programs such as college scholarships and federal grants, you are assured of a bright future for your children despite of the financial difficulties that you are currently experiencing.



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Scholarship Grants or Financial Aid? - How much is the cost for a college education?

Is there an available financing scheme for college education?

Let’s face the reality. College education is expensive! A lot of parents do a double take when their children are preparing and looking forward to attending a community college or a state university.

There are a lot of things which comprises the cost of college education and the tuition fee is just a part of the big picture of getting into college. Other everyday expenditure includes food, transportation, housing, pocket money, and other miscellaneous fees which when added up can create a significant portion in financing a college education.

A lot of families in this day and age, even if they belong to the upper-class society, think about applying for financial aid. College grants and scholarships are the most excellent kind of financial assistance.

Grant and scholarship programs do not entail students or the family to pay back. These could be of two kinds: (1) base on need, which is given due to the financial inability of the student and the family as a whole, and (2) base on merit, the talent of the student like in sports, is the main consideration. The student’s academic ability also falls under the merit-base college grant and scholarship.

Oftentimes, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to ease out the whole financial aid process. Numerous students and their families are in the look-out for this type of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are limited compared with the growing number of students year after year.

Qualifying students can avail of federal and a number of state scholarship programs. Some of which are the following:

Federal or National Pell Grants – this is a program funded nationwide intended to endow assistance to any qualified undergraduate learner pursuing postsecondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this kind are given to those who have not finished a baccalaureate degree.

The worth of the grant can vary year after year and will depend largely on the financial need of the students, the expenses that will be incurred while attending the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government.

This type of grant will open opportunity for the students to avail succeeding financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – this is a program for ongoing undergraduate students with outstanding monetary need. However, not all students can avail this type of grant. This will depend on the eligibility of the students and availability of finances of the concerned school.

Another form of financial aid that students and families can turn to is through loans. This type of financial assistance should be paid back. The financial need of the family should be considered thoroughly to avoid paying high interest rates.

It is also a must to understand all the terms of lending agencies such as the schedule of repayment and interest rates, before signing in or making a commitment.

Work study is a form of financial assistance which calls for students to do labor to sustain their college education. Work study is commonly done on campus and is the most typical form of financial aid in all universities and colleges. Usually, the students will render service to schools for ten to fifteen hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid to acquire college education is really multifaceted, confusing at times, and even exasperating. The good thing is college education is a non-refundable and non-biodegradable type of investment. It is for the future!



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