If you're about to join the 17.5 million American undergraduate students across the country, there's a lot to be excited about. However, finding funding for college is a necessary first step to take before getting pumped.
Here, we're going to give you some tips on how you can find free money for college. Read on to learn how you can ensure that higher education is affordable for you.
Fill Out Your FAFSA Form
Before finding outside financial assistance, you should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online. This is a necessary first step because it shows you the amount of money that you're eligible for in loans. However, it also shows you grant programs, scholarships, and work-study programs that you may like if you can't pay back loans later.
Do Your Research
Researching college funding options is an essential first step towards affording an education. Google the most popular options for those in your specific major. If you're undecided, look into potential scholarships that aren't tied to a specialized area of study.
You can also talk to a parent or favorite high school teacher about college funding. They may be able to point you in the right direction and give you some options. The same applies to those with friends that are a couple of years older since they already are in college.
Federal and State Grants
The US government might offer over $41.3 billion to students who need help paying for college in a single year. These grants usually come in the form of Pell Grants, which are need-based. However, some students also are eligible for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Teacher Education Assistance.
Niche Scholarships
You may have heard that there are scholarships for everything, and it's true. Many of these scholarships are based on your area of study, such as education, STEM, or writing-based scholarships. However, there are also scholarships for women, black students, first-generation attendees, LGBT people, and even left-handed individuals!
Banks and Credit Unions
You can also consult financial institutions such as Bank of America and Citigroup for aid. SunTrust is also a great choice because students can enter sweepstakes for $500 scholarships. Credit unions that your parents have an established relationship with may also be able to help.
Refine Your Application
Once you fill out an application for financial aid, you'll need to ensure that it looks great and has all the required information on it. Some things you might need to do include:
- Reviewing information to ensure accuracy
- Updating your contact methods
- Talking about accomplishments you've made in high school
- Including reasons why you need aid
- Editing and revising your essay (with teachers and professional revision services)
Get Free Money for College Today
Now that you know some ways that you can fund your education, it's time to get started. Find and apply for online education grants to receive free money for college. There are a wide variety of paths that you can take while researching your tuition options, so we look forward to helping you determine the right one for you.
