| The cost of education is on the rise. States are | | | | Apply For a Pell Grant |
| spending less on higher education, forcing colleges and | | | | Every year, the U.S. Government provides millions of |
| universities to pass the extra costs onto students. | | | | dollars' worth of grants to help students finance their |
| Tuition and fees have nearly doubled at some | | | | college education. A grant is an ideal way to help pay |
| institutions, and there's no relief in sight. That's the | | | | for college for two reasons: first, grants do not have |
| bad news. The good news is that there are several | | | | to be paid back, and second, grants are awarded |
| ways to help allay the rising cost of college. Here | | | | based on need. What this means is that depending on |
| they are, in no particular order. | | | | your financial need you can receive a federal grant or |
| Accelerate Your Degree | | | | Pell Grant worth anywhere from $400 to $4000 |
| Essentially, accelerating your degree means cramming | | | | dollars. Typically, Uncle Sam sends the money directly |
| a semester's worth of material into a six-or eight | | | | to your school of choice to apply directly to tuition. |
| week session. Many schools are now offering these | | | | However, if your tuition is already paid for through |
| accelerated sessions, and while classes can be | | | | scholarships or other financial aid, the money is |
| intense, the benefits are that they allow you to take | | | | dispersed directly to you to cover other expenses |
| classes more quickly and thereby move up your | | | | such as housing, books, and transportation. To apply |
| graduation date. By accelerating your degree, you | | | | for a Pell Grant all you need to do is fill-out a Free |
| spend less time in college and can start your career | | | | Application For Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, which |
| sooner, which saves you time and money. In addition | | | | you can do online at The application will take about |
| to these accelerated sessions, you should also | | | | an hour, but you will need your Social Security |
| consider summer school or evening classes, which are | | | | Number, driver's license, income tax return, bank |
| often cheaper than regular classes and which also | | | | statements, and investment records. |
| speed up the learning process. | | | | Never Give Up On Scholarships |
| Become a Transfer Student | | | | Many students think you need a 4.0 GPA to land big |
| One of the best kept secrets in higher education is | | | | scholarships. But that's not always the case. Even |
| that of transferring. The idea here is to earn as many | | | | with strictly academic scholarships, you have a |
| credits as possible at a low-cost community college | | | | fighting chance so long as your grades make the |
| before transferring to a pricy, elite school prior to | | | | cutoff, which may be as low as 2.75. What have you |
| graduation. This way you can still get a diploma from | | | | got to lose? Furthermore, there are plenty of |
| a prestigious university but at a fraction of the price. | | | | non-academic scholarships you can apply for, including |
| Furthermore, because community colleges are less | | | | scholarships for athletics, military service, community |
| competitive, you will be a better candidate for | | | | service, and leadership. Also, in addition to college or |
| scholarships and other financial aid. What's more, by | | | | departmental scholarships, there are thousands of |
| attending your local community college, you can also | | | | private organizations and religious organizations who |
| reduce room-and-board costs by bunking at your | | | | also offer scholarships. And don't forget about local |
| parents' house. | | | | or community-based awards. Although these |
| Go Where You're Wanted | | | | scholarships are typically more modest, they are |
| Conventional wisdom says you should go to school | | | | easier to win. What's best is that you can apply for |
| you want. But if you're trying to cut costs, maybe | | | | (and receive) multiple scholarships, which means if |
| you should consider going to the schools that wants | | | | you don't land a big, ultra-competitive, academic |
| you. In other words, find the college or university | | | | scholarship you can still get the same amount of |
| that is dying to have you as a student, fire off an | | | | money through a combination of smaller, |
| application, and then watch the discounts roll in. Star | | | | less-competitive scholarships. |
| students get discounts on tuition as well as housing | | | | When it comes to paying for college, the important |
| and other fees. The trick is to find the school that | | | | thing to remember is that education is an investment. |
| thinks you're a star. Start by checking out the | | | | And like the old adage says, you've got to spend |
| smaller, regional colleges in your area. Chances are | | | | money to make money. That being said, there are |
| you may be exactly the kind of student they're | | | | ways to curb the amount you'll have to spend to get |
| looking for. | | | | a quality education. You just have to be creative. |