| Over the last few years the cost of obtaining a | | | | apply for Free Application for your Federal Student |
| college education has left many college bound | | | | Aid (FAFSA) pin number. Most schools require you to |
| students wondering how to pay for it. For many | | | | fill out this form to get a better picture of how much |
| working a part-time job while attending school is no | | | | financial aid you will need. |
| longer enough to support them. But with the recent | | | | January can be a very exciting time for you as you |
| government mandate to help folks get an education, | | | | fill out the FAFSA. Always check to see if additional |
| including single moms, this has become an easier goal | | | | information is require for the college scholarship funds. |
| to reach. Let's see how to find these scholarships | | | | As March rolls around it is a good idea to go over |
| and how to avoid the scams out there. | | | | your Student Aid Report (SAR) and make sure all the |
| Start Your Search Early | | | | information is correct. This also becomes a good time |
| The most important aspect to find college | | | | to update any thing to keep this current. |
| scholarships is to begin your search early. As more | | | | April should be the month you receive the award |
| funds have become available, and the national media | | | | letters and make your final decision on what suits |
| has broadcast this fact, more folks are either | | | | you best. Being you applied for scholarships this |
| deciding for the first time to pursue an education or | | | | money is free money that does not need to be paid |
| as in the case of single moms realize they can. While | | | | back. Be sure in May to decide which scholarships |
| the financial aid has increased into the millions it is still | | | | meet your needs and accept them. |
| handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. So your | | | | Be Careful Of Scams |
| first step in securing these funds is to apply early. | | | | Here is a short list of things to watch out for to |
| A high school student in their sophomore year should | | | | avoid being scammed. |
| start collecting applications, test scores, transcripts, | | | | 1. Processing Fees--No legitimate scholarship |
| personal recommendations, and any other information | | | | application requires a processing fee. Avoid sites like |
| they feel will help them in applying. This information | | | | this. |
| may be required when applying for college scholarship | | | | 2. Guaranteed Scholarships--Anyone who claims you |
| money. While having a personal savings account is | | | | are guaranteed to receive a scholarship should be |
| always a good thing, saving in high school becomes | | | | avoided. |
| even more important the closer one gets to | | | | 3. No Application-- Some scams state you can |
| graduating. Whether the amount saved is large or | | | | receive money without an application, not true. |
| small it can always help. | | | | 4. Free Seminars--Be especially careful on this one. |
| Your junior year can be a wonderful time to attend | | | | Many so called free seminars are not so free when |
| any financial aid informational classes or seminars your | | | | you attend the seminar. |
| school is having. Many more options can be learned | | | | Always keep in mind college scholarships, whether |
| about through these sessions and even little know | | | | from the government or an institution, are consider |
| scholarships that may be available. | | | | gifts you do not have to pay for. And if you have |
| If you have started this whole process early on then | | | | any questions concerning information you receive |
| your senior year need not be stressful when | | | | about college scholarships contact the Better |
| preparing for college. November is not to early to | | | | Business Bureau. |