1. scholarship search 2 hours a day and keep a file with all the info… starting sending out the apps and writing the essays.. set a goal for yourself – X apps a week.

2. Call your first choice for college and get a list of all admissions requirements and departmental scholarships (also many schools have scholarships for those who agree to run for student body president, prom queen, help with homecoming, or help out with various at college events for all or part of your tuition paid.) College scholarship websites are okay like Fast web, but I’m sure millions of people apply all over the country.

3. As soon after Jan 1 as humanly possible apply for fin aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Just because your parents make “more than I thought they did” doesn’t mean you have to give up. Its free and the worst case scenario is you will have to take out loans. Virtually everyone has to at one point or another. Just be sure once you do, you graduate. No excuses!

The instructors at a CC are, more often than not, also working at the other universities in the area, including the private schools, so they aren’t bad teachers or anything. Many, many people go their first two years to a CC due to the low tuition, they then transfer to a UC or other university and do great.

UC schools are some of the best in the nation, in fact the California public university system, including the CC’s is very well respected, so don’t feel like you’re getting less. I read on a college website one time that, if you live in California, there’s no reason to bother paying more for a private school, because the education is just as good. Besides, your parents have already paid into it with the high property taxes, so you might as well take advantage of it!

Good luck!

Oh, and all that time and effort you put into your high school studies wasn’t a waste of time. You’ll need all those skills and study habits to do well in college! : )

If you do go to a community college first contact a counselor at Pomona College to learn of classes you can take so you can then transfer to the place you actually want to be! At community college you can get out of your way the basic classes at a cheaper cost and have plenty of time to work and save money so you can then go to PC with less worry.

The first two years would not be like high school, though the classes will probably be smaller and with many people who are much older than you. The biggest difference is no one will call your parents if you don’t show up. It’s up to YOU to get to class.

Most basic classes don’t vary too much (though people will say otherwise), but not all colleges accept the class you might take at CC and you don’t want to waste your time and money, which is why it’s important to find out what credits will be transferable when you leave CC to go to another college.

Meaning take a year off and they would still allow you to come the following year.

Get a job with a year off and apply for some scholarships. Also, there are lots of corporations that give out loans with little interest rates.

Try nextstudent.com , they were really useful and they were highly recommended to me by the financial aid office at my school — Emory University. It’s not need based and they more money your parents make the more likely you’ll get your loan approved.

The first two yrs of comm college wont be like high school…but it really depends on the classes you take. Possibly some general education requirements can be waived if you did real well in high school. But, simplicity or difficulty will all depend on the major you choose and the courses required to graduate.

If you did volunteer work there are some organizations that will give you money for college in the form of scholarships.

Search around: try www.fastweb.com and www.scholarship.com

Good luck

Financial aid comes in 2 forms: need-based (according to your family’s income) and merit (according to your skills, talents, academic accomplishments, and so on).

You can apply for scholarships and grants based on your merit. There are millions out there! You may have to write an essay, submit a transcript (for grades) or piece of work, etc. to earn a merit scholarship/grant. Some scholarships are awarded based on ethnicity, nationality, gender, area of study, interests, sports….the possibilities are nearly endless!

Check this website out. You have to register, but it is free and you can search for any type of financial aid.

www.fastweb.com

Good Luck!