There’s a box on the college application to check for financial aid? It’s probably just to get information on it. They’re not just going to give you money for checking that box, I’m sure. If they are, then I want to go to that college! j/k Actually, my experience with scholarships has been that the best/easiest scholarship opportunities are the ones that come right through your school. Go to the scholarship office (or financial or student aid office, whatever your school calls it), and ask if they have a generic form to apply for scholarships. Most (if not all) colleges have one application that you fill out, and it gets you entered for dozens of scholarships that organizations offer to students specifically through your school. As for that box you’re thinking of checking, I’d say it can’t hurt to check it, since I assume it’s not making you obligated to sign up for something. There are also two other ways to get financial aid and scholarships. The first is the government’s financial aid system. If you don’t really need aid, they will probably just offer you a regular student loan. Their website is fafsa.gov. The second is fastweb.com, which has a lot of scholarships on it, many of which require you to write an essay or answer some questions about a specific topic. A lot of people use this website, so the chances of you winning one of these scholarships is pretty slim because of all the students you’re competing with.

Fill out the financial aid application. It can make you eligible for work study and other ways to finance your education. Remember the loans are much lower interest than from other sources. If you are the first generation going to college, there is quite a bit out there to help you. It can only help you get the funds necessary.

I went back to school after 25+ years and was eligible for Pell grants, work study, student loans (subsidized and not). I got my BA in 2004, and my MA this last May. I was able to focus on my courses and not worry about working one or two “crappy” jobs and trying to get my course work done. The debt is worth the result. I graduated with a 3.78 average.

Depending on how old you are, you could go ahead and apply for Financial Aid. If you are or will be 18 when you enter college, you can try applying. I would call your school that you are interested in, ask to speak to a financial administrator, and see what they would recommend. Each school is different. Good luck and congratulations!!

Some common symptoms include:

Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
Dry cough
Memory loss, depression and neurological disorders
Pneumonia
Profound, unexplained fatigue
Rapid weight loss
Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
Red, brown, pink or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose or eyelids
Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin or neck
White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat