College Financial Aid

Sometimes the best college financial aid advice comes from students and parents who have been down that college path. Read tips and learn from others successes and mistakes.

College Financial Aid Tips

Reed College, Oregon

We are always pleased to share tips for financial aid for students that come from other college students and parents. They've made their share of mistakes, and learned from the process, and made some great choices too. Read their college financial aid tips for you below

College Financial Aid Tips

Apply for Scholarships at the Colleges You've Applied For - Nicholas, Florida

One good tip for most high school seniors is to apply for scholarships at colleges you’ve applied for during the fall whether you get into them or not. For example if you apply to Duke in October of your senior year, immediately go on the Duke website and look for school scholarships and apply for them. Not only are you getting a head start on your scholarship hunt but most deadlines are between February and March for scholarships which you have now beat by applying in the fall.

My Best Advice for Students - Solange, Delaware

Try going to a community college 1st for 2 years then transfer to a university, that way you can get into any college and it can cost less money. Once you have that associates degree under your belt you'll get into any college and you'll enter college as a junior. Then you will only have to do 2 years at the university of your choice and that save thousands of dollars going to a university for 4 years.

Student Job - Carly, California

Whether it be on or off campus, a student job will provide you with a steady income for food, extracurricular activities, or even more money to put towards your tuition.

College Financial Aid Advisor - Vanessa, Alabama

Your Financial Aid Advisor on campus is a great source to get started with finding all the financial assistance you can get, they have access and knowledge not many of us are capable of.

Apply Early FAFSA - Samantha, Massachusetts

And as soon as January first comes around enter your FAFSA as soon as possible. It's first comes first serve when it comes to FASFA, and it is less stressful to get it out of the way and not have to worry about it.

Weird and Wacky Scholarships - Alexis, Georgia

Second, look for weird scholarships. There are all types of wacky scholarships ! Scholarships for short and tall people, left handed people, even people who create the most unique peanut butter sandwich (sponsored by Jif).

Unclaimed Scholarships - A Bonilla, Florida

His first year at College, he wrote an essay for a school scholarship and won it. He was told by people in the financial aid office that that scholarship sometimes goes without anyone competing for it. I am appalled that good money would be sitting around waiting for someone to discover it, especially when students are taking out loans or depending on their parents to fund their educational dreams

FAFSA Automatically Makes You Eligible for Grants - Susan, California

I did not know, that when you apply for the FAFSA, you automatically are applying for CAL Grant. My son was able to receive a Pell Grant as well. So little by little, the funds are coming together!

College Debt - Jasnique, Missouri

I want to graduate from college with a degree that I have earned, not a degree that I am stuck paying for.

Lower Your College Bill - Kristi, Florida

The biggest advice I can give as far as financial aid is to try and know what you want to do or at least have classes that are transferrable from one degree program to another. In working on my bachelor's in accounting/business, all my science and the math I had to take in my prior degree tries was not sufficient, so I paid more out of pocket because I was running out of financial aid. I took out private student loans, and now I'm still paying them back after paying them for four years plus still have way more to go in paying them back.

I also recommend getting your two year degree first at a community college before jumping right in to a four year college. The reason is community college prices are cheaper than a four-year college. The other problem I am having right now is that I have a bachelor's degree, but am going back for an associate degree in a whole different field. This does not matter.

Start Early Looking for College Financial Aid - Kim, New York

As a parent with a college bound child you must start your financial aid research early so that you don’t miss important scholarship deadlines and miss out on financial aid money for your child. Beware, learn from my procrastination experience that some scholarships have deadlines that are during the spring of your child’s junior year of high school.

Community Service Scholarships - Julia, South Carolina

Advice I would give new students is don’t discount community service. We have found many local agencies that offer scholarship opportunities. American Legion, Rotary Club, Shriners Club, and Masons. Check your local area for these clubs who notice and reward community service of young people. You don’t have to be one who starts the charities; just be involved and care about your community.

Hard Work Pays - Hayley, Ohio

Growing up, I saw my parents go through the struggle with money, having to make car payments, house payment, buying all the necessities that my brothers and I needed and my father’s student loans from college. My parents worked their absolute best to pay off their debt, and 17 years later are still paying on my father’s student loans.

My senior year of high school my parents sat me down and told me that if I did not go away to a university and went to a community college that I could live at home, they would let me live at home for free. The only catch was that I would have to be working part time and going to school full time. It was a no brainer for me; I got a job working at Kohl’s Department Store. I work 20 – 25 hours a week plus go to school Monday – Thursday. I just recently finished out my freshman year of college and I am DEBT FREE!

I opened a savings account and every paycheck I get goes directly into my account and I have paid over $6,000 dollars myself! It is not easy; there are times where I feel like giving up, but knowing that I will graduate college and not have any debt is my motivation every time I go to work. I feel so accomplished knowing that I am doing it all on my own and it is worth every hour I put in at work. I will continue to work and pay off school every semester until I graduate.

The advice that I would give to any college student or future college student is that making sacrifices now will benefit you in the long run, not only with having no money to pay back but also the self - satisfaction of paying college by yourself. It is a big accomplishment that takes a lot of hard work and determination, but it can be done if you put in the time and effort.

Grandma Knows Best - Jenna, Florida

By chance do you have savings bonds? I did because my grandmother never bought us toys for Christmas she always gave us savings bonds. At the time, I hated them but now I am so thankful to have them. I traded them in for a couple of thousand dollars.

Enjoy Your Senior Year - Nathan

With all that in mind, don’t forget to still enjoy your senior year. It’s your last hurrah, and don’t let the stress of paying for college ruin that for you. Just constantly be aware of where you stand financially and don’t be foolish with your funds. Work with what you have and look forward to the college experience!

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Keep Moving Forward - Brittany, MS

Going to a community college is hands down the best decision I have ever made! Not only am I staying away from loans but I am saving myself from debt in the future. I will have an Associate's degree, and I will move on to a major university! I would advise anyone to choose a community college! It is worth it.

A Monetary College Life - Sandra, Pennsylvania

This sophomore year, however, has been the hardest in terms of money. Since I am the first to go to college, I was not really aware that colleges tended to lower their financial aid for students as we progress the next three years. I was really unprepared to receive a less financial aid package and consequently, I was obliged to take out loans. I deeply regret not saving during the summer or searching for other scholarship to help me pay for next year’s expenses. I was left to work more shifts during the academic school year and I suffered from starvation sometimes because I had to purchase the smallest meal plan in order to save at least some money.

Hands-on Projects (The Martian Man, Arizona)

I have had many friends with engineering degrees have problems finding a job after graduation, simply because they never participated in any of these hands-on projects. Employers want this hands-on experience in conjunction with that nifty piece of paper. There are plenty of opportunities for student research, even as undergraduates - you just have to be persistent. Go to the department website of any department you're interested in and most will have a link to their research. Be proactive and send an email to the professors listed under that section asking if they have any positions open in their lab or on their project. Many of them will even pay you if they have enough funding to do so.

Working Hard (sometimes) Pays Off (Elizabeth, Texas)

I got a job my freshman year much to the dismay of my advisers and counselors. There was no other way to pay off my college if I do not work. I am a waitress which calls for long hours way into the night that has caused me to sacrifice many extra curricular activities that would look so good on a resume. I have at this point completely paid off my tuition which includes room/board and food out of my own pocket. Just last week I worked 14 hours straight on a Saturday which was a home football game (which I sold my tickets for). Little things like this use to make me very depressed thinking I was missing out on the important college years. Now the pride and sense of accomplishment I feel for paying for all the necessities in life totally outweighs all the times I feel like I have missed out.

Scholarships - Halle, Florida

Apply for every scholarship you possibly can, from silly ones to ones based on academics.

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More College Financial Aid Tips

See more college financial aid tips at College Financing Strategies and College Financing Tips.

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