Financial+Aid

Financial Aid

Unless you've got a rich uncle ready to write a check for four years of college, you'll probably have to find some type of financial aid. To begin, check out the [|FAFSA] site, where you can register for loans to pay for college. You won't be able to fill it out until your parents have finished their taxes for that year (your year of graduation), but it doesn't hurt to get a preview of what you'll need to have to fill the form out.  STUDENT LOANS  You may have to take out student loans to pay for your education. Over the past few years, it has become more common for students to have to bear the load of paying for their degree. So that you know more about what types of student loans there are, and how much you will end up paying, visit any of the following sites. Be sure to shop around! Just like a car or home loan, there is quite a wide range of payment types and interest rates, so make sure you're getting the best deal for you! Please note that the banks and institutions listed below are NOT necessarily the best ones out there; they just represent some of the larger banks and lending institutions in PA.  [|Sallie Mae]  [|PNC Bank]  [|Citizens Bank]  [|Wells Fargo]  For more information on student loans, see [|StudentLoans.gov]  <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">Another great way to get money for college (and this time its free) is through scholarships and grants. Unlike loans, these do not need to be paid back! Yes, it does seem to take forever to sift through the information to see which ones you're eligible for, but it could be well worth the effort. Finally, be sure to check out what types of references are necessary for the scholarship or grant. A "character" reference is based on your personal qualities and can be filled out by almost anyone (a boss, youth leader, someone you babysit for, etc.), while an "academic" reference needs to be completed by a teacher or other instructor you have had for a class. Here are some sites to help you begin:

[|Fastweb] Not only does it provide scholarship resources, but also has sections on what to look for in a college, a college search, plus other articles of interest to high school Seniors and their parents / guardians.

[|Scholarships.com] Very similar to Fastweb, but mostly focuses on scholarship opportunities.

[|Findtuition.com]

[|Scholarshipexperts.com]