Saturday, February 21, 2015

College Financial Aid Advice For Parents And Students

By Olivia Cross


College can be expensive. In fact, with rising tuition costs more individuals are seeking out resources to help lower their bill. Whether you are a returning student, single parent, or fresh out of high school you may be looking for sources that will make the college experience in Stamford, CT more affordable. Here are some easy tips and strategies on college financial aid advice for those seeking out a higher education.

The first, and most important step in this process is doing adequate research. While it may be tempting to pawn this off on parents, advisers, or for profit individuals, you will achieve the best results if you conduct the search yourself. The reason for this is simple - no one else is as aware of your qualifications and requirements as you are.

There are companies who claim to assist new students in searching out scholarships and grants. While this may be an easy option, they do not know you as well as you know yourself. In other words, the company may overlook points or information that could increase your odds of getting a scholarship or grant.

The college website and search engines are a great starting off point as they will direct you to a variety of available scholarships and grants. Scholarship websites often include search engines that will match your interests with existing opportunities. You can then peruse the results at your leisure.

One asset that is often underused by students is the college financial adviser. Making an appointment with such an individual can reveal many existing opportunities offered by local institutions. They are able to guide you through the process of locating different forms of tuition assistance that go beyond scholarships and grants.

One recommendation that is often highlighted by counselors is the FAFSA application. This form collects information that checks if you can quality for grants, loans, scholarships. Make sure to fill this out early as funds for scholarships and grants can run out quickly. This can lead to other forms of assistance such as a private loan from a school in Stamford, CT.

Starting the research process early means you will have better chances of obtaining financial assistance. This gives you more time to prepare, learn about the different options available, and increases the odds of getting the grant or scholarship. Plus, if one option falls through, you have time to consider other options.

It is important to diversify your tuition coverage plan for one simple reason - one grant or scholarship will usually not be enough to pay for the cost of living, price of books, class tuition, transportation, and so on. Federal loans, private scholarships, reduced tuition colleges, and need based aid can help fill those gaps.

Researching options allows students to gain a better understanding of what is available to them. Remember, different options translate into more opportunities to reduce tuition costs. By following this simple advice, you will be able to locate different types of financial assistance that will save you money and help reduce tuition costs.




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