My College Guide» Paying for College

Saving Money on Your College Books and Supplies

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:54:05 +0000

You’ve probably spent a good deal of time worrying about everything from how to survive college to how to find a college roommate. It is easy to lose sight of money related issues. No one has to tell you that college is expensive, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find ways to make college a little less painful on the pocketbook. This topic is more important than many people might believe. Every cent you spend at college really adds up. Let’s face it; the price of college textbooks alone can be nothing less than extremely comical!

In this article, we will look at some of the ways you can keep your college book fees as low as possible. It should be stated that no matter how hard you try, there will be times that you will have no choice but to give in and buy your textbooks from your college bookstore. However, most of the time, you will be able to find an alternative path and save money in the process!

Consider downloading your books from an online digital bookstore. There are many companies that specialize in selling not just books online, but also online textbooks. Often you can save a great deal of money in this fashion. Additionally, e-readers have become increasingly inexpensive and lightweight, and that means you might not even have to use your laptop. Many people find that e-readers can also be a little easier on the eyes as well.

Used bookstores are your friend! Go off campus and look online for used books, as paying full price your textbooks increasingly makes less and less sense. Sure someone has to pay full price, but that doesn’t mean it has to be you (or at least not all the time).

Of course, finding your books either online or at a used book store will take a little planning, and that means not waiting until the last second. While you might have to put in more effort by working to find your textbooks in this fashion, the upside is that you can not only save hundreds of dollars, but literally thousands over the course of a four-year degree!

Other supplies can be found cheaper online and in other stores too. Simple, but very necessary supplies such as pens, markers, notebooks and a range of specialty supplies are marked up in a dramatic fashion in the college bookstores. Again, these small saving steps can really add up.

You likely spent a good deal of your time researching financial aid and grants, private loans for college and even college saving programs. But that doesn’t mean that the “financial side” of college is over and done with in the least. You owe it to yourself to reduce your amount of student debt if possible. Remember that there are people only slightly older than you are now suffering tremendously with student loan burdens that they can’t repay. Many of these students were very bright and even received what was deemed the “right” degree at the time. Stay sharp and think through all of your college related decisions, financial and otherwise.

The Importance of Great Organizing

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:24:49 +0000

As you look to make the transition from high-school to college, you are probably feeling as though there is a never ending and maybe even growing “checklist” of things you need to worry about or check off your list. Don’t worry if you feel this way, as it is very normal and quite common.

When it comes to getting into one of your top college picks, you might not think much about your level of organization, but it is actually of paramount importance in the process. The more organized you are, the greater your chances of getting into one of your top college picks. The odds are higher for ultimate success in college as well.

If you haven’t been “much for organizing” in the past, now is definitely the time to change that. Studying for the SAT, meeting deadlines, writing essays, taking practice tests, evaluating your different college options, investigating financial aid for college tuition and direct federal student loans takes a lot of time, and that means a lot of organization is essential.

One of the single largest steps towards great organization is being willing to prioritize what is important and what is not important. Tackle this step first, and getting organized will become a great deal easier.

Sacrificing things that you enjoy doing in order to do something that you don’t like or find unpleasant is easier said than done. One trick is to start small with small sacrifices of things that you enjoy. Instead use that “recovered time” for something that relates to getting into the school of your dreams, or at least one of the schools that you like the idea of attending!

You could tackle this issue on a week by week basis. Here is an example of how you could structure your college prep organizing. You don’t have to use this exact model, but instead you can adapt this strategy for whatever works for you!

Week One-Spend more time studying for SAT

Week Two-Research colleges

Week Three-Get College applications

Week Four-Research financial aid related issues

Week Five-Make list of relevant deadlines

Week Six-Think about ways you can become more efficient and effective in how you use your time and make a list!

Each week look for ways that you can set time aside so that you can apply that time towards getting into college. As a result, you will become far more organized and also far calmer! Being organized has a benefit that few consider; being organized means less panic and that means better decision-making.

Many students “end up” at universities and colleges that were nowhere near their top picks for no other reason that a failure to get organized in advance. They had all the tools, the necessary grades, good letters of recommendation and maybe even good SAT scores, but they lacked proper preparation.

Think of getting into college like you would think about starting a business. You wouldn’t just try to open a business without preparing in some fashion, would you? You instinctively understand and know that a business, at least one with any chance of success, needs work and planning. If you invest your time in this fashion, you will be surprised by what you can accomplish.

Learn How to Survive College, It Can Be Done!

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:47:01 +0000

Are you worried about surviving college? You shouldn’t lose sleep feeling that you are somehow unusual for feeling this way. Most people are worried about making the transition to college, especially if they are going away to school. No matter what your relationship is with your family or what you think your relationship may be, the fact is that you know what to expect from your home life. College, on the other hand, marks the transition into the unknown.

You can learn how to survive college, and the first step in the process is to realize that your college life experience will be different from high school. This is true whether you go away to school or continue to live at home.

Your first survival tip is to realize that you are on your own. This means that no one will force you to study. Many colleges and universities, particularly state schools, have high flunk out rates. Now you can’t exactly learn how to survive college if you flunk out, can you?

Getting good grades is, of course, all about studying, but it is also about realizing that as a freshman in college you have to show that you have the discipline to get your work done on your own. In short, one of the single biggest hurdles for learning how to survive college is to realize that you have to study and that it is up to you to make sure that it happens.

Surviving College Dorm Life

College dorm life can be complicated as well. You should be open and ready to make new friends. Yet, you have to realize that there is nothing magical about your college dorm life. Regardless of what you’ve seen in the media, college dorm life is just like the real world. There are good people, bad people, indifferent people and everything in between. This means that the same logic and caution that you’ve used in the real world to date still applies in college.

You shouldn’t show up to college and think, “Wow, I am in college now I can trust everyone.” That is a recipe for disaster. You might get lucky, but you will be tempting fate. A big part of learning how to survive college is keeping your brain turned on and making good decisions. It is possible to still have a great time!

Financial Aid for College Tuition

Worrying about grades may seem like a full-time job, but you may also have no choice but to worry about other things. One of the factors that you shouldn’t lose sight of is financial aid for college tuition. If you can’t pay for college, then you certainly won’t be “surviving” college, as you won’t be there. This means that you will have to keep an eye on tuition related issues. College tuition is going up, and it is going up very rapidly. A good part of surviving college is finding a way to keep your student loans under control so that you are not repaying these loans when you are 75 years old.

Just How Much Money Should You Spend on College Anyway?

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:03:26 +0000

College is expensive, and it’s getting far more expensive every year. This situation is leaving many young people with the daunting task of trying to determine just how much debt they should take on at a very young age. Is this unfair? You bet it is unfair, but it’s also the reality of the situation that most of you may find yourself in. Until the day comes that a college education is free (don’t hold your breath), students will have to wrestle with not only how much to pay for a college or university degree, but also whether or not it is worth it.

Debt Versus Brand Name

Big name colleges and university degrees do not come cheaply. This issue has left many students asking if they should pay the “big bucks” for that brand name degree instead of selecting a less expensive option. There is a real and legitimate argument to be made that when it comes to many majors, it just doesn’t make sense to pay what it costs to go to a big name university or college.

There are intangibles, of course. For example, you have to consider the connections you might make at a certain school and being able to impress others with a school’s name recognition. But if you are planning on being a teacher, do you really need to spend an extra $30,000 or $50,000 or more for your degree? In general, the type of degree that you are planning on receiving should be taken into consideration before you opt for a mountain of debt!

Weigh Your Options Carefully

Just because you were accepted to a big name college or university, doesn’t mean that you have to attend that educational institution. Many students say, “Well I got in, so that is where I will go…” Your thought process should be more comprehensive, as you should weigh the options carefully. Selecting a less expensive university or college could open up different opportunities. For example, you could opt for graduate school, or get a professional degree such as a law degree or an MBA with the money you save. Some schools even offer scholarships to attract higher-level students, while others turn those students away.

Consider Your Degree When Deciding How Much to Spend

If you are planning on earning a degree that ensures great pay down the road, then you might not need to worry too much about the debt that you accumulate in college. However, you should keep some issues in mind. Many people earn degrees in certain fields, only to discover that they hate the profession that goes along with the degree. This means that they often switch to careers that pay less, often far, far less. At this point, the high paying career they believed they would have doesn’t materialize.

Determining how much to spend on college isn’t necessarily easy to figure out. If you know exactly what it is that you want to do for a career, then this decision may be easier for you than it is for others. Taking your time and thinking about how your college debt may impact your future is a savvy move and one you are quite unlikely to regret.

4 Ways To Reduce Stress When Applying to College

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:14:51 +0000

There are many important steps to applying for college. Getting into the college or university of your choice can be a complex process. This is especially true when you are applying to numerous schools. As a result, you may at times feel overwhelmed and stressed by the process as a whole. This is why it is extremely important to keep your focus.

When you get stressed out, you stop thinking clearly. The end result could be that you begin making mistakes. Whether its studying for your SAT, trying to ace as many classes as possible, or filling out your college applications, you need to keep your stress levels at a minimum. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways that you can keep your stress levels low and increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice in the process.

#1 Realize that the World Will Not End

One basic step that you can take to keep your stress levels low is to realize that it is not the end of the world if you don’t get into your “top pick.” Lots of pressure can be put on your shoulders, as older people just assume that you can “take it.” Yet, if you feel totally stressed out it may impact your performance. Now this isn’t an excuse to fail or not try, but you should keep in mind that life will go on even if you get into your fifth choice instead of your first college of choice. No matter how others may act the world will not end, and you will not be destined to a future of poverty and failure.

#2 Walk Away and Take a Break

If all you do is study and deal with SAT preparation, you may actually be increasing your odds of failure both in the short term and in the long term. Some students may ace the SAT, but they end up so exhausted and overwhelmed that they avoid studying all freshmen year. This route isn’t a good plan for long term success!

#3 Short Breaks, Meditation and Stress Reduction

Stress can actually kill you. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones, such as cortisol, can result in a decrease in the strength of your immune system. If your immune system is weakened, your odds of getting sick, of course, go up. If you’re sick, you won’t be studying for your classes or the SAT. Part of staying healthy is keeping your immune system strong.

Meditation is a relaxation technique that serves to reduce stress hormone levels. Recent medical studies have actually shown that meditation has a variety of medical benefits including the reduction of stress. So if you are feeling upset and anxious, meditation stands as a great way to deal with this stress.

#4 Find a College Admissions Counselor

Believe it or not, utilizing a College Admissions Counselor can take a real load off your mind. Why run around worried about what you’re forgetting, or what opportunities you are missing? Start smart with a college admissions counselor who can sit down with you and your family to figure out your wants and needs and outline a plan for you to follow. Why go it alone, when you can have a partner?

Remember that any edge you can give yourself is one you should take. However, at the same time, you should never allow yourself to become so stressed out and worried about what colleges you get into that you become miserable.

Four Steps to Make the Most Out of Your Scholarship Searches

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:33:24 +0000

Finding the money for college has become a very tricky game with many potential pitfalls. This cautionary statement isn’t designed to discourage you from following your dreams and pursuing higher education. Instead this statement reflects the simple reality of today’s ever escalating education price tag. The price of college is rising at a rate that far exceeds the rate of inflation, and these rising costs make finding a scholarship more important than ever. In this article, we will examine some of the ways that you might be able to find the funds for higher education.

Step 1 Begin Preparing and Searching Early

Beginning your search for scholarship money well in advance is of great importance. There are a simply staggering number of scholarships available, and knowing which ones you are eligible to apply for alone can take a good deal of research. In addition, the application process must be taken seriously as well, as applications can be time consuming. This is especially true if you are applying for numerous scholarships.

Step 2 Talk to Your Counselor and Other School Resources

Your counselor, in theory, has resources pertaining to scholarships and which ones you might be eligible for, and you should consult with him or her well before your graduation date. However, you absolutely should not depend on your high school counselor for advice regarding scholarships. Even the hardest working counselor may miss an important option for you, and that means you need also to explore on your own!

Step 3 Try to Get Appointments with Officials at Colleges and Universities

Educators generally like it when young people show planning and initiative. They also appreciate it when their opinions and knowledge is valued. In short, you might be able to get a great deal of information regarding finding scholarships from college admissions officers and others. Reaching out to them is a savvy move, and you should do more than send an email. Picking up the phone and politely asking for an appointment is a good idea.

You also may want to consider showing up in person to ask for an appointment. You will be very surprised how far this type of action will go with many in the education field. It says volumes about your character and your dedication. Anyone can send an email, but few people are willing to follow up a phone call with a visit!

Step 4 Invest in Books on Scholarships, Research Online and Visit Libraries

You might think that all information is online; however, even the cleverest of web searches may fail to give you a complete picture of your scholarship options. There are still times in your life that thumbing through a book makes sense, and this is definitely the case where finding scholarships are concerned. There are many good books written on this topic. A few minutes with a good book on scholarships could literally be worth thousands of dollars.

Ultimately, it is up to you to begin your scholarship search early and to be proactive about finding the money you need. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and to be persistent.

Get a Head Start on Your FAFSA: Things You Can Do Now

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:52:48 +0000

Ready to get a head start on your FAFSA? Here's what you need to know. Photo Credit: frozen jek

If you’re hoping to get financial aid when you head off to college next year, you probably already know you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). But do you know what you’ll need to get started?

You’ll need quite a few financial documents. So even though you can’t officially complete the FAFSA until January 1, 2012, it pays to start planning now. When it comes to financial aid, the more organized you are, the better off you’ll be.

So what information will you need to start your FAFSA?

As the student, you’ll need:

1. Your social security card
2. Your driver’s license number
3. Your 2011 W2 forms
4. Any other financial records that apply (investment accounts in your name, etc.)
5. Your 2011 tax return (it’s easier to finish it before you apply. Otherwise, you’ll have to estimate your income and then return to complete the form after your return is completed)

If you are a dependent student (i.e. your parents will be claiming you on their tax return), you’ll also need their financial information. Documents you’ll need include:

Your parents’ 2011 W2s
Your parents’ 2011 tax return
Records of untaxed income in 2011 (IRA deductions, child support, etc.)
Mortgage information (both for your home and any businesses or rental properties your parents own)
Current bank statements

Is there any way to get an estimate of how much financial aid you can expect before January 1, 2012?

Short answer? Yes. You can use FAFSA4Caster to get an estimate of how much financial aid you might be able to expect from the federal government.

Obviously, since you won’t have the most recent financial information available to you yet (since 2011 W2s won’t be available until January), the numbers you get will not be set in stone. But they should give you a good place to start, in terms of deciding how much other financial aid you need to seek out.

When should you complete the FAFSA for real?

Well, the deadline isn’t until June 30,2012. But generally speaking, the earlier you apply, the better. After all, the early bird gets the worm, as the saying goes…

By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to financial aid success when official FAFSA-filing season begins. For more helpful information about filling out the FAFSA and getting through the college admissions process with your sanity intact, subscribe to our blog today!

How To Find the Right Type of Scholarship: Understanding the Lingo.

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:41:14 +0000

You don't need a dictionary to understand college scholarships. Just this handy blog post! Photo credit: GadgetGirl

Last week, we had you do a little homework to determine what kind of scholarships could be right for you. This week? We’re going to define the most common types of scholarships for you so you know how to tell when you’ve found the right one!

Merit-based scholarships

These are the most common types of scholarships. They are awarded to students who can demonstrate high levels of achievement in a certain area. Often, that simply means they go to people with a really great GPA or rock star test scores. But merit scholarships can also be awarded on the basis of athletic ability, extracurricular involvement or even volunteerism.

Need-based scholarships

As you might expect, these scholarships go to students who really need them, financially speaking. The majority of need-based scholarships come from the federal government and are awarded based on information you’ll supply in your FAFSA. However, there are also tons of organizations with need-based scholarship programs. It’s just a matter of finding them.

Student-specific scholarships

These are the scholarships you can get just for being you! Student-specific scholarships are given out to people who satisfy the specific requirements of the organization giving out the scholarship. So, a scholarship awarded because of your ethnic background would be considered a student-specific scholarship. So would a scholarship you get because of where you live or what you’re interested in.

Career-specific scholarships

Have you known what you want to do for a living since you were 10? Do you know what you want to major in, where you want to intern and what company you want to work for? If so, our hats are off to you—you’re quite the planner! Career-specific scholarships are made for people like you—or at least for students who know what they want to major in. They’re awarded by industry-specific and career-oriented organizations looking to help the next generation of professionals succeed!

College-specific scholarships

Once you know where you want to go to college (and get accepted), you could be eligible for a scholarship awarded by that college. These types of scholarships are sometimes given to help students who have a financial need, but can also be awarded on the basis of personal or academic achievement.

And now you know what the five major types of scholarships are! Although there are many kinds of specific scholarships available, for the most part they fit into one of these buckets. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you as you begin (or continue) your scholarship search.

We’ll be bringing you information about how to find scholarships all year long, so subscribe to our blog today and make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Tips To Find College Scholarships: 4 Questions To Ask Yourself

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:44:18 +0000

You don't have to learn how to play the bassoon to get a college scholarship. Photo Credit: Paxsimius

Everyone’s heard about the friend of a friend who got a scholarship to Harvard because of his bassoon-playing prowess. And been told the urban legend of the jock who landed a full ride to his first-choice school – despite his ridiculously low test scores.

But what you don’t hear about are the hundreds of thousands of students just like you who have gotten the scholarship money they need to make their college dreams come true. How? By finding scholarships that match up with their interests, talents and background.

You can do it too! To find a college scholarship that’s right for you, start by asking yourself these four questions.

What do I love to do?

Catalog your interests and activities. Do you play an instrument? Garden? Develop mobile apps just for fun? Research your family’s genealogy? No matter what your hobbies are, chances are good that there are organizations out there who would love to give you a college scholarship for pursuing them.

Make a list and then start your research!

What do I want to major in?

Professional organizations exist for just about every industry you can think of. And most of those? Love to support the next generation of workers. So, if you are fairly certain you know what you want your college major to be, start researching associations that could potentially help you!

What is my family’s background?

There are a great many college scholarships for minorities available, of course. But there are organizations centered around almost every background—if you look. There are scholarships for Polish Americans, Italian Americans and even for women whose family history includes Revolutionary War combatants.

In other words, it pays to do a little research into your family tree—and some surfing on the web.

What scholarship help is available in my neighborhood?

Look around you. Not literally at your neighbors—but at the businesses and organizations in your community. Does the Chamber of Commerce have a college scholarship program? How about the local Boys and Girls Club? There could be dozens of college scholarship opportunities—right in your own backyard!

These are just a few of the ways you can find college scholarships. For more ideas, read about the college scholarship resources you might have missed! And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog—we’ll be bringing you advice for finding great college scholarships all year long!

How To Speak Financial Aid: A Glossary of Terms

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:54:40 +0000

Having trouble deciphering financial aid-speak? We're here to help! Photo Credit: greeblie

If you’re like most college freshmen-hopefuls, chances are you’ll be looking for some financial aid to help foot the bill. The problem? The terms used in financial aid forms aren’t exactly words you throw around in casual conversation. It can seem like they’re speaking another language!

But never fear. We’re here to help. Below you’ll find a few of the most commonly used financial aid terms – along with their definitions.

Financial Aid Application Terms

Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – This is the official application for federal financial aid. Colleges and universities will require you to fill this out in order to apply for any kind of financial aid.

Award Letter – This is the official document you’ll get from colleges listing exactly what financial aid has been, well, awarded to you. It will tell you how much your family will be expected to pay (expected family contribution) and how much it will cost to attend that school when all is said and done (cost of attendance), as well as list the terms and conditions of your financial aid.

Financial Aid Package – Picture all your financial aid – all of the scholarships, grants and loans awarded to you from both federal and private sources – put into a box and tied up with a pretty bow on top. That’s your financial aid package.

Types of Financial Aid Defined

Grants – Grants are considered “gift aid.” They give you money for college and don’t have to be paid back. They can come from federal sources (such as Pell Grants), but are also available from states and private organizations.

Loans – Student loans are just what they sound like – money given to you to pay for college that needs to be repaid. Eventually. There are many different types – both federal student loans and private loans. You’ll want to read the terms for your loan options very carefully.

Scholarships – Scholarships are also considered “gift aid,” so you don’t have to pay them back. They are awarded for a variety of reasons, some simply because of merit or academic excellence, others because you’re pursuing a certain major, have specific interests, have financial need…the list goes on and on.

These are just a few of the many financial aid terms you’ll need to know. We’ll go more in-depth in a future post. Have a specific financial aid term you’d like defined? Leave it in the comments! And don’t forget, we’ll be bringing you great advice about financial aid all year long, so subscribe to our blog today!