World Biz Info
The source of the best business, financial and legal news
web www.worldbizinfo.com
Business Informations

Scholarships not Working for You Neither, Huh?


We're going to college, and we need cash. We have tuition and food, housing, books... like I said, we need cash. We hear about these billions of dollars of unclaimed scholarship money just floating around, yet you can't seem to get your hands on any of it, nor on any other form of financial aid. We're out here working like dogs, trying to make time to study an keep from losing our insanity, until we finally just give up. This sounds like a pretty big problem. What to do?

First of all, you should know that there aren't billions of dollars out there just waiting to fall in your lap. In fact most counselors and financial aid assitants wonder why this rather enormous figure is stated so often, but its not the case. So don't feel bad or think you "suck" because you haven't won some of this dough. However, there IS some money to be made out there that many people either overlook or figure it isnt worth pursuing. Trust me, its worth taking a look at and worth pursuing.

Usual Suspects

Your first destination should be the government. The FAFSA needs to be the first thing you do. You may be eligible for grants or other special awards. Then go to your school to see if they have any special scholarships that are only available to students of that college or university. After that, sign up to fastweb.com and scholarship.com and become familiar with those two sites, they are two of the most used on the web.

There's something for everyone!

People commonly think that only minorities and people with really low incomes and awesome grades can get scholarships. This is just not so. There are plenty of scholarships out there that are aimed at people in certain national or local clubs, that serve different interests such as drawing, writing, or a sport, and even some that are strictly for those with work experience. Tons of scholarships for college students are aimed at specific majors and corresponding social networks, for example the Audio Engineering society and American Medical Association. Be creative when searching. There are plenty of companies giving money away in hopes of attaining a student base of prospective future employees. If you're working on computers, for example, see what top technological companies such as Qualcomm and IBM have to offer, if you're working in finance and economics, checkout some big time (and small time) Wall St. corporations, for instance.

Also, don't forget to checkout your own community. YMCA, churches, local youth groups and sports teams, they all give out money to deserving individuals, so do some homework on your hometown before moving on to bigger venues.

The essay contest

These are wonderful. Checkout what you like, what you know a lot about and are passionate about, and write an essay to submit to a contest or scholarship offer. Get friends in on it...help each other out and promise to share earnings.

Why isn't this EASY?

Now, I don't want to brag, but I won quite a few scholarships in my day. However, I remember always getting questions about "how do you do it," "you're so lucky," and so on. Well, it really isn't that complicated-- its going to take some work and dedication. Start early, make a list of scholarships, plan for scholarship-work time, and get busy. Don't feel bad when you don't win, most students are happy to win a few because that's usually what it takes. Just keep focused on what you're trying to do, hope for the best, and do NOT stress out about it.

Alternatives

There are a few alternatives. Never resort to credit cards. Ever. What you want to look for are student loans because they have lower interest rates and usually have friendlier grace periods and payback periods. Don't worry about being in student loan debt upon graduation...$10000-$15,000 is not bad at all (if being repaid in ten years). Stafford loans are the most common. They offer around $2600 for first-year, $3500 for second year and $5500 for third year students. Perkins loans usually don't have to be repaid until nine months after graduation and you have 10 years to pay. Checkout private loans, maybe from loan-specialists companies and your own school. Checkout the American Education Society which also provides private loans for people.

Don't Stress It

There is money to be made, just be focused, dont't get discouraged, and work hard at it. Well, what are you waiting for?

Vincent St. James is a writer and researcher for thecollegeguys.com, where you can find more of his work related to finance, health,and movies.


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

Going Off to College for Less (Passport Required)
StarNewsOnline.com, NC - 9 hours ago
Ryan Ross of Annapolis, Md., applied only to St. Andrews; McGill University in Montreal; and Trinity College in Dublin. “I knew I wanted a different ...
US students heading overseas for college United Press International
all 21 news articles


Boston College Lands Two Marshall Scholarships
MarketWatch - 14 hours ago
... United States," said Boston College Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Donald Hafner, director of the University's Fellowships Committee. ...
Two BC scholars win elite Marshall award Boston Herald
all 9 news articles


Lawmaker suggests merging black, white colleges
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA - 2 hours ago
... State University would merge with Darton College. University system Chancellor Erroll Davis told lawmakers that such move would face strong opposition. ...
Senate leader suggests merging historical black colleges Atlanta Journal Constitution
Should HOPE be need-based? Atlanta Journal Constitution
all 8 news articles


University of Iowa names interim associate provost
Chicago Tribune, United States - 1 hour ago
... served as an associate dean for undergraduate programs in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business, was also appointed dean of the University College. ...


College Clan
GoErie.com, PA - 3 hours ago
Submissions for College Clan must include the official notification from the college, university or organization about the honor received by the student. ...


Eau de Penn State smells of flowers, not football
The Associated Press - 23 hours ago
Masik Collegiate Fragrances says the perfume for the school in State College, Pa., smells of vanilla, lilac, rose and white patchouli. ...
Perfume, cologne capture scent of Penn State Boston Herald
Smells like team spirit? Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
Penn State perfume, cologne available for sale Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Philadelphia Daily News
all 267 news articles


Hiker identified as U. of U. environmentalist
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 5 hours ago
... University of Utah President Michael Young said in a statement. For the last five years, Forster was also on the faculty on the College of Architecture ...
University mourns man who died in fall KSL-TV
Victim of hiking fall was U. director of sustainability Deseret News
Hiker who died in Zion National Park identified LocalNews8.com
all 6 news articles


Voice of America

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Robert Gates
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 2 hours ago
Gates attended the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in history. 3. As an undergraduate, Gates was ...
Robert Gates biography The Associated Press
Robert Gates Biography News Channel 7
all 85 news articles


Los Angeles Times

Former Raiders coach Kiffin heads back to college
CBC.ca, Canada - 19 hours ago
... as his previous experience had been at the college level. He had previously served as offensive co-ordinator with the University of Southern California. ...
Tennessee's heir apparent deserves fair shake Memphis Commercial Appeal
UT taps Kiffin to lead Vols football My Tennessean.com
Lane Kiffin Hiring: A Volunteer Fan's Perspective Deadspin
The Associated Press - GoVolsXtra
all 997 news articles


Gibson Dunn Promotes 13 Lawyers to Partner for 2009
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver College of Law, where she has taught Entertainment Law, and was named as one of Denver's "Forty ...

college university - Google News

home | site map
© 2006
web www.worldbizinfo.com