Resourceful-Mom

Paying your way through school

Attending an accredited college or university will require that you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Not a bad thing, as it provides a financial snapshot for which to base your eligibility for federal assistance.  Federal assistance,  in the form of college scholarships, college grants and work study programs for college student, reduce the amount you have to potentially pay out of pocket in one form or another.

After submitting the FAFSA, your school of choice will be able to determine how much of your education will be covered through federal assistance and how much of your education you will responsible for paying.  Before applying for a loan, of any type, please consider some of the following options for paying any remaining costs:

• Tuition Reimbursement, offered by many employers, might be the perfect way to cover any remaining expenses. Please consult your HR representative for specifics regarding your plan.
• Private Scholarships/Grants – Education Grant.com has loads of information on pursuing your college education and, more specifically, they have created a College Grant Guide to aid you in your search for free money.  You may also find the special sections dedicated to scholarships for women and scholarships for single mothers very informative.  Most of these programs will require that you submit an essay as you will be competing with students for college funding and, because so many people are afraid of essay writing, a lot of money isn’t awarded simply because no one applies for them. Get started brushing up on your writing skills early, as there are deadlines, and you’ll be ready to go.
  If you aren’t confident in your current writing skills, Scholarship.com has a very good article entitled Write A Scholarship Worthy Essay that may be of help. In addition, Ed2go has a Grammar Refresher course that starts monthly, as well as, many other courses that might get you in a college mindset.What’s all the hype around Scholarships and grants? Whether federally or privately funded, they do not have to be repaid.

• Out of pocket – Sometimes, depending upon how many courses you take and the school you attend, you may find that you can cover the remaining fees. The less debt you have, the better for both you and your family.

Deciding to continue your education is a gift to both you and your family.