Financing College
Don't let the high cost of college discourage you. Numerous sources of financial aid can help you afford even the most expensive schools. In fact, nearly half of all college students receive some financial aid. The key is to start saving and researching now. Consider the types of college you might attend (public, private, urban, rural), the requirements of your potential major (books, supplies), and living costs (housing, transportation, food). Estimate your financial needs, and begin saving money each month. Many banks offer special college savings accounts.
Financial Aid
You can apply for several types of aid from federal and state agencies, private foundations, and colleges.
Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, 1,200 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 15 million students paying for college or career school. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students are considered for federal student aid.
Students who are eligible for AB 540 are now eligible to receive financial aid from the state of California. This aid comes in the form of Cal-Grants. If you have questions about AB 540 eligibility, please speak to Ms. Parragil or Mr. Dominguez. To apply for California State aid, AB 540 students must complete the California Dream Act Application and the Cal-Grant GPA Verification process.
Loans and Grants
The major difference between a loan and a grant is this: Loans must be paid back. Grants do not have to be paid back.
If you are a current high school senior or a recent high school graduate, you may be eligible for the Cal Grant Entitlement Award to assist you with your college costs.This checklist will help you determine if you are eligible for this grant. Students who meet the AB 540 criteria are eligibile for loans and grants.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students based on several criteria. You can receive a scholarship for academics, athletics, community service, and many other endeavors. FastWeb.com is a great Web site to search for scholarship opportunities. You can fill out an online profile, and they Website will match your profile with potential scholarships. The Minority Scholarship Search allows students to search for scholarships that are open to students of their race. These are some organizations that offer college scholarships:
