2 answers
Emma
Student
Fayetteville, Arkansas
1
Question
Asked
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How do I get $27,860 of my college paid for?
My schooling will cost an overall of $52,860. I have 25,000 paid for my academic and sports scholarship from the school. I am getting no help from my parents, and I have to raise another $27,860. I also HAVE to go to this college; my parents aren't giving me the choice of any other. I really need to know the best way, and the best scholarships to apply to in order to raise enough money and not be in drowning debt. I appreciate the chance at a scholarship and an insightful answer to my question. Thank you!
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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Emma,
Congratulations on your acceptance into college and the scholarships you received! That's no small feat!
Are the $52,860/$27,860 total cost of attendance, or just tuition? I assume, the idea is to live at home? That alone will save you a boatload of money. Your parents might also cover some other expenses, e.g. for food etc.
There are many external scholarship opportunities out there. Be strategic when you apply, and don't wear yourself out applying to anything and everything. Evaluate the target group for a scholarship, the criteria and your fit to optimize your chances. Look for small local scholarships that might not get as many applications as the big national programs.
Arkansas-specific programs:
https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/ar-academic-challenge-scholarship
https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/nursing-arkansas-state-board/education/loans-scholarships
https://sams.adhe.edu/Scholarship/Details/ACST
Depending on your field of studies, look for professional organizations that might have scholarships, e.g. nursing organizations if you are in nursing school. Check out big companies who hire people with your future qualification, e.g. tech companies if you are in computer science. Also look for scholarships for particular demographics that might fit you, e.g. minorities, women in STEM, tall people, twins and multiples etc.
A few scholarship websites that allow you to filter for your specific criteria:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://scholarships.com/
https://scholarships360.org/
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx
https://www.niche.com/
You can also find a job and save up a bit of money before you go to school and during breaks. Or you can get a part-time job while you go to school which will help you pay. If you signed up for work-study with your FAFSA, you'll even get a job on campus.
Now, if you look at $27,860 left to pay - that's a lot of money at your age. On the other hand, if you look at the big picture, you wouldn't be "drowning in debt", assuming you are getting an education that will make you employable and earn more than minimum wage. If you need to get a loan, do the calculation what the loan payment would be every month and how much you can hope to earn. There is nothing wrong with living poor for a few years to pay off an education that opens doors. Of course you want to keep the loan amount as small as possible and pay off the principal as soon as you can. And remember, every year or semester is a new chance to apply for scholarships.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Congratulations on your acceptance into college and the scholarships you received! That's no small feat!
Are the $52,860/$27,860 total cost of attendance, or just tuition? I assume, the idea is to live at home? That alone will save you a boatload of money. Your parents might also cover some other expenses, e.g. for food etc.
There are many external scholarship opportunities out there. Be strategic when you apply, and don't wear yourself out applying to anything and everything. Evaluate the target group for a scholarship, the criteria and your fit to optimize your chances. Look for small local scholarships that might not get as many applications as the big national programs.
Arkansas-specific programs:
https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/ar-academic-challenge-scholarship
https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/nursing-arkansas-state-board/education/loans-scholarships
https://sams.adhe.edu/Scholarship/Details/ACST
Depending on your field of studies, look for professional organizations that might have scholarships, e.g. nursing organizations if you are in nursing school. Check out big companies who hire people with your future qualification, e.g. tech companies if you are in computer science. Also look for scholarships for particular demographics that might fit you, e.g. minorities, women in STEM, tall people, twins and multiples etc.
A few scholarship websites that allow you to filter for your specific criteria:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://scholarships.com/
https://scholarships360.org/
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx
https://www.niche.com/
You can also find a job and save up a bit of money before you go to school and during breaks. Or you can get a part-time job while you go to school which will help you pay. If you signed up for work-study with your FAFSA, you'll even get a job on campus.
Now, if you look at $27,860 left to pay - that's a lot of money at your age. On the other hand, if you look at the big picture, you wouldn't be "drowning in debt", assuming you are getting an education that will make you employable and earn more than minimum wage. If you need to get a loan, do the calculation what the loan payment would be every month and how much you can hope to earn. There is nothing wrong with living poor for a few years to pay off an education that opens doors. Of course you want to keep the loan amount as small as possible and pay off the principal as soon as you can. And remember, every year or semester is a new chance to apply for scholarships.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Thank you!
Emma
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
193
Answers
Kyle, Texas
Updated
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Emma. first and formost, your parents are a blessing which many people do not have, Your concerns about debt are valid, so you do understand that your parents more than likely burdened with enough debt of their own. They struggle is real so you must wittle down to the penny what you can live with and without.
What I am confused about is the scholorship? If the school have given you a set fugure in a scholarship, then how could you say "my parents aren't giving me the choice of any other"? Dosen't the scholorship itself mandate the school you go to? Without it, you would have only Community College funds?
There are so many other expences which need to be addressed, especially if you vae a sports scholarship. I can only assume that Ramen Noodles wont be your main source of protein and minerals.
Grants & Loans you should research yourself as only you know what is really needed. Brokers will charge a fee, but campus finance also has avenues to help. Stay living at home, traet your parents with love and appreciation, and just maybe they will pull some ideas together to help you.
They struggled to raise you, so they may just see the side of you that's willing to pay some dues for your future & come to the rescue.
What I am confused about is the scholorship? If the school have given you a set fugure in a scholarship, then how could you say "my parents aren't giving me the choice of any other"? Dosen't the scholorship itself mandate the school you go to? Without it, you would have only Community College funds?
There are so many other expences which need to be addressed, especially if you vae a sports scholarship. I can only assume that Ramen Noodles wont be your main source of protein and minerals.
Grants & Loans you should research yourself as only you know what is really needed. Brokers will charge a fee, but campus finance also has avenues to help. Stay living at home, traet your parents with love and appreciation, and just maybe they will pull some ideas together to help you.
They struggled to raise you, so they may just see the side of you that's willing to pay some dues for your future & come to the rescue.