4 answers
Ruben
Student
Moreno Valley, California
2
Questions
Updated
272 views
How should I pay for school?
I'm a high school senior, and I don't know what's the best way to pay for a higher education
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4 answers
Pat Golden-Romero
Teach Hospitality/ Culinary Arts, College Admissions
24
Answers
Santa Cruz, California
Updated
Pat’s Answer
Hi Rubin, it's good to plan early ! You've received many good responses already! In addition to Fin. Aid, I recommend using some of the following strategies for discovering lesser-known scholarships, and how you can make your applications stand out to scholarship committees.
1) Lesser known private scholarships: Fastweb.com & scholarships. com ( this one is becoming more popular) Apply to scholarships you may not think you qualify for as I hear repeatedly the Fastweb has scholarships that otherwise aren't awarded. Have a well written essay/ application which clearly states your career / academic field of interest, goals. Share your motivation for that career. If you have some personal family strive/challenge that you've overcome- share it ! If scholarship is for a specific industry/ career, then tailor your essay accordingly. If you've had some internship experience in field- share it. Check spelling & grammar!
Writing a strong personal statements or gathering recommendation letters that can make a real difference. LOR should come from school counselors or teachers that really know you. Ask multiple people, as teachers get asked a lot & it may take time. If you've won any awards or been recognized for some achievement- ask the person who nominated you!
Keep your GPA high & you may get in to a honors program - there is no limit to the number /$ amount of scholarships! The university you are accepted to & ultimately commit to, should have a scholarship page, keep applying to new scholarships each year in your degree program. Ask the director/ chair / dean - they will know about additional scholarships if you are a standout student. Also, get a paid internships thru the student services office. Good Luck
1) Lesser known private scholarships: Fastweb.com & scholarships. com ( this one is becoming more popular) Apply to scholarships you may not think you qualify for as I hear repeatedly the Fastweb has scholarships that otherwise aren't awarded. Have a well written essay/ application which clearly states your career / academic field of interest, goals. Share your motivation for that career. If you have some personal family strive/challenge that you've overcome- share it ! If scholarship is for a specific industry/ career, then tailor your essay accordingly. If you've had some internship experience in field- share it. Check spelling & grammar!
Writing a strong personal statements or gathering recommendation letters that can make a real difference. LOR should come from school counselors or teachers that really know you. Ask multiple people, as teachers get asked a lot & it may take time. If you've won any awards or been recognized for some achievement- ask the person who nominated you!
Keep your GPA high & you may get in to a honors program - there is no limit to the number /$ amount of scholarships! The university you are accepted to & ultimately commit to, should have a scholarship page, keep applying to new scholarships each year in your degree program. Ask the director/ chair / dean - they will know about additional scholarships if you are a standout student. Also, get a paid internships thru the student services office. Good Luck
Khaled Salah
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Khaled’s Answer
Hey Ruben! Paying for school is obviously a big deal, and it's great you're thinking about it early. Here are a few good things to consider:
- Scholarships are your best friend. Apply for as many as you can, even the small ones. They add up and you do not have to pay them back.
- Grants are also great because they are basically free money based on need, grades, or other factors.
- Working part-time can help a lot. You can work during school or over summers to cover living expenses and avoid extra debt.
- Starting at a community college can save you serious money. You can do two years there and then transfer to a university.
- Choose a school that makes financial sense. Sometimes a smaller or in-state school gives you just as good of an education for much less money.
- Be realistic about loans. Borrow only what you truly need. The less you borrow, the easier your life will be after you graduate.
The bottom line is to use free money first, work if you can, and make choices that your future self will thank you for. Hope this helps!
- Scholarships are your best friend. Apply for as many as you can, even the small ones. They add up and you do not have to pay them back.
- Grants are also great because they are basically free money based on need, grades, or other factors.
- Working part-time can help a lot. You can work during school or over summers to cover living expenses and avoid extra debt.
- Starting at a community college can save you serious money. You can do two years there and then transfer to a university.
- Choose a school that makes financial sense. Sometimes a smaller or in-state school gives you just as good of an education for much less money.
- Be realistic about loans. Borrow only what you truly need. The less you borrow, the easier your life will be after you graduate.
The bottom line is to use free money first, work if you can, and make choices that your future self will thank you for. Hope this helps!
Afrad Mahamed
Operations & Project Management
110
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Afrad’s Answer
Hi Ruben -
It's great that you're looking at various ways, as these decisions can affect you later on, especially large student loans.
Here are some ways you can explore:
1. Scholarships: There are many scholarships available to students based on academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities, and more.
2. Grants: Similar to scholarships, grants don’t need to be repaid. The government offers many need-based grants like the Pell Grant.
3. Federal Student Loans: These loans typically have lower interest rates than private loans.
4. Part-Time Work: Many students work part-time jobs to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and living expenses.
5. Work-Study Programs: These programs allow students to earn money for school by working part-time jobs on or off campus.
6. Save Early: Start saving for college as early as possible.
7. Talk to Your Family: Discuss your financial situation with your family and see if they can contribute to your education.
8. FAFSA: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what financial aid you qualify for.
Hope these prove helpful to you!
It's great that you're looking at various ways, as these decisions can affect you later on, especially large student loans.
Here are some ways you can explore:
1. Scholarships: There are many scholarships available to students based on academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities, and more.
2. Grants: Similar to scholarships, grants don’t need to be repaid. The government offers many need-based grants like the Pell Grant.
3. Federal Student Loans: These loans typically have lower interest rates than private loans.
4. Part-Time Work: Many students work part-time jobs to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and living expenses.
5. Work-Study Programs: These programs allow students to earn money for school by working part-time jobs on or off campus.
6. Save Early: Start saving for college as early as possible.
7. Talk to Your Family: Discuss your financial situation with your family and see if they can contribute to your education.
8. FAFSA: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what financial aid you qualify for.
Hope these prove helpful to you!
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
412
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Ruben:
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement, community service, etc. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain the entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/websites-to-kick-off-your-scholarship-search
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications. The staff can advise you and point you in the right direction regardless what your current level of education is.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
Best wishes for your education and good luck on the scholarships!
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement, community service, etc. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain the entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/websites-to-kick-off-your-scholarship-search
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications. The staff can advise you and point you in the right direction regardless what your current level of education is.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
Best wishes for your education and good luck on the scholarships!