College Series 4: Affording School
Along with the environment of the school, the school's program, and the location of the school, the ability to pay for college plays a huge factor in deciding where you will attend next fall. Your dream school may offer you some scholarship money, and FAFSA may be able to help you a little bit, but if you don't receive the financial aid you need, there may be other things you can do in order to attend the school of your dreams.
1. Apply to outside scholarships. I know. You just finished all your college applications. Why in the world would you do even more work? A lot of organizations and businesses give scholarships to students every year. There are so many scholarships that you can apply for, both local and national. One thousand dollars may not seem like that much, but by applying to many, you increase your chances of receiving multiple scholarships from multiple places. If you receive ten one thousand scholarships, that is ten thousand dollars less that you have to pay for school. You can use websites such as Scholly to search for scholarships, but you can also google keywords about yourself and find scholarships that you are eligible. Take your ethnicity, your living situation, and your passions into consideration when looking for outside scholarships. Most of them have deadlines and require letters of recommendation, so plan ahead!
2. Don't be afraid to talk to the school. It is rare that schools will give you more money than what was in your initial financial package, but it doesn't hurt to ask. If circumstances change, don't be afraid to reach out, explain your situation, and express your interest in the school. Also, if you get more money from a school you may not be that interested in, you can ask your top school to match the amount of money you were given by the other school. Again, schools won't usually say yes, but it does not hurt to ask. The worst they can say is no.
3. Find a job. It doesn't even have to be with a company or a business. Simple jobs such as babysitters and dog-walkers are probably still needed around your neighborhood so ask around. Every cent counts. Not only will a job help you with affording your school, but it is also good experience. If you prefer a job at a clothing store or restaurant, go out and work for it, it won't be handed to you.
4. Think about alternative ways of living, dining, and other essentials. Where you are living, meal plans, and textbooks will be a part of your college budget so think about living off campus, cooking more, and maybe buying textbooks from upperclassmen. This can not only save you money, but it might be a more convenient way of living for you. If your school requires you to be on a meal plan or to live on campus your freshman year, also take into consideration that your freshman year will be your most expensive year and things might be a little cheaper in the later years so don't lose hope.
Before doing any of these things, it is important to have a conversation with your parents about how much your family can afford. It is a lot of work to try and afford college if you don't receive as much money as you would like, but if it allows you to attend your dream school, it's worth it.
1. Apply to outside scholarships. I know. You just finished all your college applications. Why in the world would you do even more work? A lot of organizations and businesses give scholarships to students every year. There are so many scholarships that you can apply for, both local and national. One thousand dollars may not seem like that much, but by applying to many, you increase your chances of receiving multiple scholarships from multiple places. If you receive ten one thousand scholarships, that is ten thousand dollars less that you have to pay for school. You can use websites such as Scholly to search for scholarships, but you can also google keywords about yourself and find scholarships that you are eligible. Take your ethnicity, your living situation, and your passions into consideration when looking for outside scholarships. Most of them have deadlines and require letters of recommendation, so plan ahead!
2. Don't be afraid to talk to the school. It is rare that schools will give you more money than what was in your initial financial package, but it doesn't hurt to ask. If circumstances change, don't be afraid to reach out, explain your situation, and express your interest in the school. Also, if you get more money from a school you may not be that interested in, you can ask your top school to match the amount of money you were given by the other school. Again, schools won't usually say yes, but it does not hurt to ask. The worst they can say is no.
3. Find a job. It doesn't even have to be with a company or a business. Simple jobs such as babysitters and dog-walkers are probably still needed around your neighborhood so ask around. Every cent counts. Not only will a job help you with affording your school, but it is also good experience. If you prefer a job at a clothing store or restaurant, go out and work for it, it won't be handed to you.
4. Think about alternative ways of living, dining, and other essentials. Where you are living, meal plans, and textbooks will be a part of your college budget so think about living off campus, cooking more, and maybe buying textbooks from upperclassmen. This can not only save you money, but it might be a more convenient way of living for you. If your school requires you to be on a meal plan or to live on campus your freshman year, also take into consideration that your freshman year will be your most expensive year and things might be a little cheaper in the later years so don't lose hope.
Before doing any of these things, it is important to have a conversation with your parents about how much your family can afford. It is a lot of work to try and afford college if you don't receive as much money as you would like, but if it allows you to attend your dream school, it's worth it.
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