Inflation increases about 2 to 4 percent annually, but when it comes to college, these costs are rising and at a pace that is usually at least double the rate of inflation. At the rate college expenses are increasing, many students will find themselves unable to pay for higher education

Covering College Costs

For families wanting their offspring to attend the school of their choice, coming up with a plan to cover college costs is essential. Otherwise, settling for various lower cost schooling choices may be necessary. Please read on for tips on making college an affordable option for your child.

If your child is currently a high school junior or senior, the following information should be accurate right now. For parents of children in lower grades, placing funds in a 529 account — a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future college costs — is a great way to get started.

Your 8-Step Guide

We’ve developed an important guide to help parents finance and pay for their children’s college education. One or more of these steps can be used to finance your child’s education and help you understand the financial aid options for undergrads.

1. Review Financial Aid Steps — Before applying for aid, you should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and submit it to the federal government. Based on the information provided, the government will create a Student Aid Report (SAR) which will be submitted to the student’s college of choice and a copy to sent to the student’s family.

The college then takes the SAR and creates a financial award letter that lists the aid the student will receive. The difference between the cost and the award given is the family’s expected contribution towards the cost of education. Once that information is known then the student and his or her family will be able to determine the steps they will need to take provide the remaining funding.

2. Scholarships — Multiple billions of dollars in scholarships are awarded annually therefore scholarships are an important way for families to close the funding gap. Scholarships can depend on financial background, race, ethnicity, course of study, school attended, and a host of other factors. Apply for as many scholarships as eligible as this can be an important way to finance higher education.

3. View Financial Aid Charts — Trying to estimate college costs beyond school expenses can be difficult. Using supplied online tools can help you keep everything in order.

4. Apply For Federal Stafford Student Loans — The federal government is a huge funder of higher education and Stafford Student Loans (SSL) are a great way to help pay for education. However, eligibility requirements are tight, therefore you will want to learn if your son or daughter is eligible as soon as possible.
5. View Other Aid Options — Grants, using your home equity, 529 funds, withdrawing IRA money, tax credits, military service, work-study programs, and loan forgiveness are options worth exploring.

6. PLUS Loans for Grads and Parents — These are government guaranteed, fixed rate student loans that can cover up to 100% of a dependent child’s cost of education, less any financial aid awarded.

7. Use Private Student Loans to Close the Gap — Families can borrow up to $30,000 annually and in some cases up to $40,000 thanks to private student lending. Private student loans are easier to get than Stafford Student Loans with a higher interest rate charged, but favorable pay back options available.

8. Manage Your Money During School — Finally, once your child is in school managing college money is essential toward collegiate success. A budget can go a long way to helping maintain financial accountability.

Once you have gone through the college admission process, then following the financial aid road map will help you achieve your goals in a timely manner. College costs will continue to rise, but a comprehensive plan involving a combination of choices could be the way to go.

Tags: college funding, money, private student loans, stafford loans, Student Loans

One of the most popular forms of assistance for rising and current collegians are scholarships, financial awards offered to help cover a portion of your higher education expenses. If you are particularly gifted athletically or academically, your school may cover your costs in full. For the vast majority of students, mining the scholarship field is critical toward achieving success.

Who Is Qualified?

There are any number of criteria which can be used to determine whether you should be awarded a scholarship or not. Most scholarships are offered by private organizations, companies, and associations, therefore their application rules will vary. It is important for you to determine what you must do in order to qualify and then to follow those instructions perfectly.

How scholarships are awarded:

Based on need — if you don’t have the means to pay for college, some scholarships are targeted to reach out to you.

Based on ethnicity — you may belong to a particular ethnic group who wants to see their young people succeed. The United Negro College Fund is probably the most well known ethnic-based scholarship fund out there.

Based on merit — as mentioned earlier, if you had excellent grades while in high school or are a promising athlete, your college costs could be covered.

Based on your school — some schools offer scholarships directly to students in a bid to attract a diverse student population.

Where can you find them?

Scholarships are offered through national foundations as well as through local organizations, associations, etc. including:

Local Clubs — Check with your Women’s Club, Kiwanis, or other civic organization to see if they are offering scholarships. Many do, but you’ll need to apply directly to them in order to be eligible.

Churches — Depending on your denomination, your church may offer a scholarship to the institution of your choice or to an affiliated college.

Labor Unions — If your father or mother belongs to a labor union, some will offer scholarships to the children of union members.

Businesses — Companies desiring to impact their communities are often good sources for scholarships. Some set up separate foundations while others prefer to give back to the community directly.

Finally, check with your school’s guidance counselor to learn what scholarships are available to you and do a “college scholarship” internet search to see what you uncover.

Billions of dollars are awarded to students annually, reducing a financial burden for hundreds of thousands of students across America.

Further Reading:

Can You Spot A Scholarship Scam?

Knowing About Scholarships

Student Aid Center

Tags: college funding, college scholarships, college tuition, union scholarships, United Negro College Fund