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. You can read about them here:

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/financial_aid/college_scholarship.aspx

And here are some good sites to check out:

FedMoney.org Home

http://www.findtuition.com/scholarships/

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!

SUGGESTION #1: I remembered this from high school – over 40 years ago. As I was walking down a hall, I overheard two teachers talking about it:

Do a search for Lovejoy’s Guide OR Robert Leider.

Suggestion #2: Inquire about scholarships, fellowships, gifts and grants in your chosen field.

Suggestion #3: On weekends, during semester/holiday breaks and during the summer do volunteer work in your chosen profession. Chat with people about possible sources for scholarships, grants, fellowships and low-interest loans.

At the very most, you’ll get the financial assistance you‘re looking for. At the very least the answer you will or may get is a flat “NO” – without any explanation. [Other than in love and romance, “NO” never hurt anyone.]

As a side thought: “NO” might mean “not right now”. It doesn’t mean the funds completely “dried-up” or won’t be available until next month, 3 months from now or even next year. You don’t know until you ask.

Suggestion #4: Journal every day on your computer. What you learned and what you were taught. What to do and what not to do.

I didn’t give you money. I invested my time in you and in your dream. I gave you some suggestions and a light down a path. As you can see, YOU HAVE OTHER OPTIONS, don’t you? The rest is up to you.

Thank you for asking your question. I enjoyed taking the time to answer your question. You did a great job – not only for your information, but for every other person interested in reading my answer. Thanks to everyone for reading my answer.

I wish you well!

VTY,

Ron Berue

Yes, that is my real last name.