Collegebound Advisory 4 Overlooked Ways to Pay for College Paying for college is rarely easy. Ideally, it's a longterm process of building and using a collection of savings, institutional aid, free money, and—if necessary—loans. [Discover more ways to accumulate money at the College Savings Center.] But with so many avenues for financing your education, it's often difficult to sort out what might work best for you, given your situation and time frame. Exhaust your federal options: Because federal loans (Stafford and Perkins) are cheaper and have more flexible repayment options, students with financial need should always exhaust their federal options before looking to private loans, says Kevin Walker, cofounder and CEO of SimpleTuition.com. "Some families might believe, 'We're upper middle class; our income is upper level so we wouldn't qualify,'" Walker notes. [Learn more about the benefits of federal student loans.] Consider 529 plans: If you have some time before college, a 529 savings plan may be an attractive route for you.
Student Aid on the Web Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. What kinds of scholarships are available?How do I find scholarships? What kinds of scholarships are available? Some scholarships for college are merit-based. Many scholarships are geared toward particular groups of people; for instance, there are scholarships for women or high school seniors. A scholarship might cover the entire cost of your tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. How do I find scholarships? You can learn about scholarships in several ways, including contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend and checking information in a public library or online. Try these free sources of information about scholarships: Top When do I apply for scholarships? That depends on each scholarship’s deadline.
Get Organized for College Scholarship Application Season - The Scholarship Coach February 1 through the end of April is the busiest season for college scholarship applications. That means if you're planning to head off to college next fall, you'd better get cracking. Follow these tips to stay organized and ahead of the game during scholarship application season. 1. Search for scholarships in a variety of places: We've posted about scholarship search engines in the past, as well as other places to look, but here's a refresher: • Check in with the counseling office/career center at your high school, and let your counselor know you are interested in going to college and finding available scholarships. • Ask your local Dollars for Scholars chapter or other community foundations about scholarship resources. • Consult with postsecondary institutions you are considering attending. • Last, but not least, you can do a scholarship search on the Internet. [Learn more about paying for college.] 2. • Make a list of all the scholarships for which you want to apply. 3.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Writing College Scholarship Thank You Letters Make Them Glad They Did Scholarships make it possible for thousands of students every year to attend college. For many college-bound students, the right scholarship can mean the difference between continuing their education or abandoning their personal and professional ambitions. One thing scholarship recipients tend to overlook, is the follow through. A letter of thanks to the scholarship board, or scholarship provider, does more than simply show the student’s appreciation for receiving the funds they needed to pay for college. Tips for Thank You Letters After you have received your scholarship, it is important to take some time to compose a short letter of thanks to the donors and/or review board. Sending scholarship thank you letters should be handled through traditional mail. When composing your scholarship thank you letters, keep the following tips in mind and try to hit all of the salient points as naturally as possible. Who, What, Where and When
Tips for Writing Your College Essay - Ace Your College Entry Essay One of the Most Important Steps to Getting into College College hopefuls face a series of tests on the path toward higher education. Finances and credit are tested by budgeting challenges and financial aid pursuits. Admission to colleges and specific university programs requires aptitude and proficiency testing. SAT and ACT placement exams prove daunting for determined students with their sights set high on prestigious academic programs. Essay topics fall across a broad range of subjects that are not always what you’d expect from college admissions offices. Brand Yourself Everyone is capable of filling- in the blanks on a college application, but college admissions essay questions pose unique challenges. The tone of your college entrance essay should be genuine and uniquely your own, but your approach must remain academic and professional. Be Original Some colleges generously allow students to select their own admissions essay question subject areas. Proofreading, Rewriting, and Editing
Writing College Application Essays: How to Choose a Topic « Applying To College I was speaking to the Joel Barlow High School PTSA in Redding today (thanks, PTSA!) about writing college application essays, and was asked a great question: Do I have any suggestions for the student who’s having trouble deciding what to write about? Yes! Choosing a topic for a college application essay can be a daunting, if not downright intimidating experience. Many students think that because nothing big or dramatic has happened to them in their lives they don’t have anything to write about. Wrong! You don’t have to be the best athlete, have won lots of awards, or had a big “moment of revelation” to write a great college application essay. Remember, colleges look for 3 main things in a college application essay: How well you writeHow well you organize your thoughtsYou. When you’re choosing a topic you want to find an experience — a story — that will reflect what’s unique about you. 1. 2. 3. Start with these questions. Like this: Like Loading...
How to Apply For College Video A lot of you may be asking what you should know when applying to Graphic Design School. This short video by Jeannie Borin answers general questions about college admissions and what steps you should take before applying. Click the image screen twice to start - This video is brought to by VideoJug.com Tips and General Information Students should apply for college in the Fall of their senior year. Students applying for early decision usually submit their applications by the end of October of their senior year. Graphic Art Schools in Your State If any of these professions interest you and you would like to find a school in your area where you can learn these skills, click here to find the school that's right for you. 19 Common Application Essay Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | InLikeMe Many students trip over common obstacles in their college application essays. For example, many students can’t see beyond the superficial prompt to construct an essay that positively communicates their personality and passion. Some students rehash their activities and achievements without adding the personal flavor, perspective and substance that admissions officers look for. Learn how to avoid these and other damaging traps. As an independent college admissions consultant, I read many application essays and see many common application essay mistakes. Here’s some helpful advice: Select the Best Topic and Subject. Author: Lynn Radlauer Lubell is the Publisher of InLikeMe.com, and the Founder of Admission By Design, a College Consultancy, based in Boca Raton, Florida.
College Transfer Center Library How to Write an Application Essay That intimidating college application essay is becoming increasingly important for transfer students. Nowadays more transfer essays are read and considered in the admission decision because admission as a transfer student implies that you have a major, maybe even a career, in mind and that you have taken coursework, done internships or worked in your major field. The college to which you are applying wants to evaluate your preparedness for that major and your committment to completing your bachelor's degree in a timely fashion. So, what should you put in your essay; how should you prepare to present yourself in writing; and where can you go for help? First some shocking statistics The admissions department at UC Berkeley will read about 20,000 application essays and Stanford will read about 16,000. Don't be gimmicky or artificial Every admissions office has a story about receiving an essay folded into origami, or embossed on a five pound chocolate bar.
How to Tackle College Application Questions - The College Admissions Insider As the college application season grows nearer, students and their parents are beginning to raise good and important questions relating to their preparations. The following is a sampling of those questions. I am applying to mostly small Northeast liberal arts schools and plan to major in English (more than 80 percent sure). Is it more beneficial to my chances of gaining admission if I put down "undecided" for my major, or should I declare English? (I have indicated a strong interest and strength in English in my interviews, in a great recommendation by an English teacher, by taking extra English elective courses and AP English, and by working as an editor of my school newspaper). Liberal arts colleges assume their entering students are, to some degree, undecided and that most will change their minds about majors once enrolled. As you pull together your application, the next step is to demonstrate your passion for English as a discipline. [Find out when you should choose a major.] 1. 2.