4 answers
Jordyn
Student
Huntsville, Arkansas
1
Question
Updated
477 views
Where can I find good scholarships? Are there any involving having a special needs sibling? Where can I find easily available ones for female accounting majors?? #Spring25
My older brother is autistic, and my sister is already in college. I'm going in the fall. We need as much financial help as we can get but are trying not to take out loans.
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4 answers
Jason Goble
Accounting/Consultant
3
Answers
Salem, Utah
Updated
Jason’s Answer
My recommendation is that there are accounting firms that will help you through school. I know of several places that will pay half your tuition if you agree to stay with them for a certain period of time. That way you can have a good paycheck and they will also help you with your tuition and might even let you have a flexible schedule.
The best part of about doing this is giving you real life experience and applying what you are learning while in school. Most employers do not have continuing education programs. They expect you know your stuff and to be able to hit the ground running. Most of my onboarding as an accountant has been a couple hours of HR stuff. Then here is your computer and logins. Then they expect you to start off right away adding value immediately. If you can slow down and get real life experience with a combination of a degree. Then your ability to have salary negotiation is 5x higher. Your salary out of school will be higher as well.
The best part of about doing this is giving you real life experience and applying what you are learning while in school. Most employers do not have continuing education programs. They expect you know your stuff and to be able to hit the ground running. Most of my onboarding as an accountant has been a couple hours of HR stuff. Then here is your computer and logins. Then they expect you to start off right away adding value immediately. If you can slow down and get real life experience with a combination of a degree. Then your ability to have salary negotiation is 5x higher. Your salary out of school will be higher as well.
Christopher Huber
Director at PwC
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
In addition to the answers above, I recommend exploring various organizations on the college website and using the search function to look for "scholarship." Many people and groups offer smaller scholarships that often get overlooked because they aren't "full rides." This means fewer people apply, making it less competitive. If you can secure a few of these scholarships, they can really add up and make a big difference.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
658
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jordyn,
You can limit the cost of your college education by carefully selecting the college you go to: in-state tuition is a lot cheaper than out-of-state tuition, community colleges are cheaper than 4-year universities. You can switch from a community college to a 4-year university after 2 years to save some money (talk to your academic advisor and the academic advisor at the 4-year school to make sure you know which course credits transfer). Don't discount more expensive schools from the start though. They might have good scholarships that make the cost bearable.
Talk to the financial aid office of your university to find out what financial package they can offer you. Some scholarships are needs-based, others are merit-based. Some universities have one or the other, others have both. Some universities offer full-ride scholarships.
Understand scholarships, grants and loans: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarships
Apply for FAFSA and for work-study. With work-study you sign up for a job on campus, possibly in your department.
Check if your state, your hometown or a parent's employer has scholarship programs.
Check professional societies and large companies for scholarships for your field of studies.
Use search engines and filter for state, major and other characteristics:
https://www.scholarships.com/
https://scholarships360.org/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
https://scholarshipowl.com
https://www.collegescholarships.com/
https://www.accounting.com/resources/scholarships/
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/aicpa-scholarships-can-support-your-accounting-education
Look for internships with accounting firms that you can do during summer.
I left a couple of links to scholarships specifically for siblings of special needs kids.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.magpiefund.org/
https://www.thespecialneedstrust.org/scholarships
https://www.carolinescause.com/carolines-cause/
https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/high-school-students/scholarships-for-high-school-seniors/the-jason-kulpa-special-needs-scholarship
You can limit the cost of your college education by carefully selecting the college you go to: in-state tuition is a lot cheaper than out-of-state tuition, community colleges are cheaper than 4-year universities. You can switch from a community college to a 4-year university after 2 years to save some money (talk to your academic advisor and the academic advisor at the 4-year school to make sure you know which course credits transfer). Don't discount more expensive schools from the start though. They might have good scholarships that make the cost bearable.
Talk to the financial aid office of your university to find out what financial package they can offer you. Some scholarships are needs-based, others are merit-based. Some universities have one or the other, others have both. Some universities offer full-ride scholarships.
Understand scholarships, grants and loans: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarships
Apply for FAFSA and for work-study. With work-study you sign up for a job on campus, possibly in your department.
Check if your state, your hometown or a parent's employer has scholarship programs.
Check professional societies and large companies for scholarships for your field of studies.
Use search engines and filter for state, major and other characteristics:
https://www.scholarships.com/
https://scholarships360.org/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
https://scholarshipowl.com
https://www.collegescholarships.com/
https://www.accounting.com/resources/scholarships/
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/aicpa-scholarships-can-support-your-accounting-education
Look for internships with accounting firms that you can do during summer.
I left a couple of links to scholarships specifically for siblings of special needs kids.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Jacklyn A. Smith, M.Ed.
Business Operations and Contracts
6
Answers
Harrod, Ohio
Updated
Jacklyn A.’s Answer
Hello! Here are my top 3 places to find scholarships:
1. High school counselor
2. College financial aid office or website
3. Local organizations
These are the best resources for scholarships. I'm not sure if there are scholarships for siblings with disabilities. Have you filled out the FAFSA yet? That's the first step you should take!
1. High school counselor
2. College financial aid office or website
3. Local organizations
These are the best resources for scholarships. I'm not sure if there are scholarships for siblings with disabilities. Have you filled out the FAFSA yet? That's the first step you should take!