Well, we have more tips than tricks, so everything is on board. Thankfully, a lack of money does not need to hold you back from going to college or university. And that’s where our financial aid tips can come in. As Carrington College notes, funding for higher education is available from more sources than you might expect:
- communities,
- employers,
- charitable organizations,
- companies,
- colleges,
- state governments,
- banks,
- credit unions,
- schools,
- and the federal government.
Let’s review some facts you should know about financial aid so you can access as much support as you may need. Read on for Empowerly financial aid tips!
Whether it’s scholarships, loans, or grants, here are some tips that can increase your chances of getting the funds you need to make your dreams come true.
Consider All Scholarship Options
There are plenty of websites listing scholarship options, so consider checking them out and making a list of which scholarships would apply to you. At the same time, don’t overlook local scholarships that aren’t listed online. Applying for as many scholarships as possible increases your odds of obtaining needed funding.
Fill out a FAFSA Form
FAFSA can enable you to receive both state and federal grants. Even those who do not qualify for grant money can use FAFSA to get lower-priced federal student loans.
Start Early
Apply for grants as soon as you can. They are very competitive and applying late can result in losing potential funding altogether. Make sure to adhere to all the deadlines.
Clean up Your Act
Many scholarship providers these days ask applicants to provide their social media profiles. Just in case, check your profiles and make sure the scholarship provider won’t see any potentially inappropriate posts.
Get a Co-Signer
Anyone taking out a private student loan will most likely need a co-signer with a credit history. It can also lower your interest rate considerably and make it possible for you to refinance into an even more affordable loan at a later date.
It is possible to get a college degree without going deep into massive amounts of debt. Consider the tips outlined above to get as much outside funding as possible, so you can focus on your education without worrying about how you will pay for tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses.
