Check http://fastweb.com for scholarships. Then go to your financial aid office and find out if there are any grants you qualify for.

After scholarship and grants, see if you qualify for work-study. Work-study is like any other job, except the government helps to pay part of your wages, and the jobs are usually really easy. Max out on any work-study you qualify for because these easy jobs often allow you to study, do your homework, and get paid for doing it.

You’ll probably still have extra costs so work on federal loans first. There are a variety of loans out there: subsidized stafford loans, plus loans, perkins loans, etc. Make sure you get the subsidized federal loans first. Hopefully you only need federal loans. These types of loans will charge less interest, and if subsidized, that means the interest is paid by the government while you’re in school.

Here are some sites for federal loans:

http://salliemae.com

http://financialaid.com

As a last resort, get private student loans. These will be the most expensive so just take what you need. Definitely shop around.

Here are some sites for private loans:

http://financialaid.com

http://finfo.com

http://mytuition.com

Just remember to consolidate your loans when you graduate. That means you take one loan with one bank and receive an overall lower interest rate.

Good luck!

Here are the steps you need to take:

1) Fill out the FAFSA. This will determine if you are eligible for financial aid. Go here:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

2) Once you are eligible for aid, choose a government-based student loan. The best loan to get is a Federal Perkins Loan. These have low interest rates and the government will help you pay it back as long as you stay enrolled in school. You also don’t need a cosigner or good credit for it. For more info go here:

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/perkins_student_loans.aspx

3) The next best loan to get is a Subsidized Stafford Loan. This has many of the same benefits as a Perkins Loan. Learn more here:

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/subsidized_stafford_loan.aspx

4) You can also try to get a grant or scholarship, which is free money that you won’t have to pay back. Look here:

FedMoney.org Home

http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp

http://www.freegovmoney.net/

http://www.educationplanner.com/education_planner/paying_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=Grants_and_Scholarships

http://www.studentawards.com/

http://www.college-scholarships.com/

Good luck

Ask the school counselor or check the website to see if they offer academic or need-based scholarships. For other scholarships not associated with your school, try applying for some on www.fastweb.com.

With a tuition that high, you’ll probably have to take out student loans. Visit a few banks and ask what your options are, how much interest they charge, etc. You’ll have to eventually pay it all back (plus more) so you want to get the best deal you can.

Congratulations on your acceptance? Whatever you do, if you elect to take out a student loan, be sure that you check very carefully to ensure that you’re not going to be cheated. There has been load of press lately about unfair loan practices related to universities. Many universities have instituted investigations, and others have canceled their relationship with a lot of murky loan companies. Check online for merit- and affinity-based scholarships. Are you Jewish? Catholic? African American? the first son of a first son? There are hundreds of scholarships offered by different groups. Do you want to teach? There are scholarships available for people who are willing to spend the first two or three years teaching after they graduate.

Finally, check with your school’s financial aid office. They should have a wealth of information for you. Good Luck!