10 Tools for Chipping Away at the Cost of College
Learn Where to Find College Scholarship Money
The cost of a college education continues to grow, leaving students and families turning to scholarships to reduce higher education expenses and lower student loan debt.
Scholarships are available in many amounts and span many disciplines, from journalism to fashion design. But it can be difficult to find the right scholarship for your needs.
The following tools and resources can help you find scholarships and reduce the cost of your college degree.
1. Scholarship Search Engines
The Internet is a natural place to begin any scholarship search, so be sure to compare the many available online scholarship databases to help you find money for college.
Students should also look beyond the major search engines. Many websites try to match students with scholarship awards. Zinch allows users to interact with colleges and universities worldwide, and FindTuition.com claims to have more than $7 billion in searchable scholarship awards.
2. Federal Grants and Financial Aid
The U.S. government is one of the first places any student should turn for college financial aid. Whether you're dreaming of a small, private college or a large public university, begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The FAFSA helps schools determine a family's expected financial contribution and pairs students with grants and loans. It's an important document, so be sure to avoid making common FAFSA mistakes.
3. Regional Scholarship Awards
Many scholarships can be found close to home. Wherever you live, investigate offerings from regional community groups.
Universities including Princeton University and Indiana University have regional alumni associations offering college money to incoming students who live in certain areas of the country.
4. Local Scholarship Programs
College scholarships can often be found just by asking around your hometown. So before hitting the Web, take some time to check if any businesses or organizations offer scholarships to local students.
Other close-at-hand scholarship resources could include high school guidance counselors or a parent's employer, which might offer education money to the children of staff members.
5. On-Campus Resources
Scholarships are available even after you arrive at your college campus. Start by reaching out to your financial aid office staff -- they are experts at helping students find ways to pay for college.
You should also determine if scholarships are available through your department or, at a university, through your college or major. School alumni or donors may offer financial awards to students.
6. State Higher Education Offices
Nearly every state offers some form of online or in-person scholarship assistance through a higher education office. This might include information on resources such as available loans and grants.
Students from Minnesota to Maryland can participate in regular scholarship and college planning sessions, and states including Kentucky and Washington offer online scholarship databases.
7. Social Media
As a high school student, you are likely familiar with using social media. Next time you hop online, think about using social media to earn cash for college.
For example, you can enter to win a scholarship from DoSomething.org simply by texting your friends a statistic, and major brands like Dr Pepper often host scholarship contests through social media or video.
8. Public University Resources
Public colleges generally charge less for room and board than private institutions, but their students can still benefit from scholarships.
States generally offer residents discounted tuition at in-state public universities, but in some cases, this tuition benefit is extended to students in neighboring states as well. A good chunk of public schools offer money to National Merit Scholarship finalists, and many states reward high-achieving students.
9. Private University Resources
Without careful financial planning, private university tuition can land students carrying a significant chunk of student loan debt. Luckily, not all students end up paying 100 percent of a private college's "sticker price."
Federal and college grants help offset private college costs to students and families. Many colleges have also banded together by state to offer scholarships, including New York's Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.
10. Awareness of Common Scholarship Scams
There are financial scams looking to profit from the scholarship process, so stay alert. Reading up on common scholarship scams will help protect your time and finances.
If an application requires payment or offers free money without requesting any materials, the award might be fraudulent. Students and parents should also be cautious of scholarships advertising time-sensitive awards, such as those on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find Out More About Finding The Perfect College Scholarship
A college scholarship search shouldn't end with these 10 resources. Follow the Scholarship Coach blog for information on where to find awards that fit your academic and extracurricular interests.
You can also follow U.S. News Education on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to join the conversation and stay informed about the latest tips and advice on paying for college.
