| Going to college or university is a first step towards | | | | consult you local authorities about eligibility |
| a brilliant career. It is also the time when you | | | | requirements for state loan. |
| encounter the first major financial issue in your life. | | | | Private loans (given by banks) may be the solution |
| The purpose of this article is to provide you with six | | | | for those who can't qualify for any form of |
| useful tips on getting your college bills paid. | | | | government aid. The drawbacks being interest rates |
| 1. Scholarship or fellowship | | | | are higher than that of federal loans, and banks |
| Scholarships and fellowships are, probably, the most | | | | typically don't offer grace period. |
| desired forms of payment assistance for students all | | | | Student loan consolidation is very useful in case if you |
| over the world. This type of assistance is not | | | | need to repay several loans simultaneously. Your |
| required to be repaid, which is a huge advantage | | | | several loans are replaced with one loan and a longer |
| over other means of funding (such as loans). | | | | repayment period, which makes monthly payments |
| Certain scholarships may only be available for | | | | much more affordable. |
| applicants with special scientific, artistic, or athletic | | | | Consolidation is available for federal loans, but there |
| talents or serious financial needs (applicants from | | | | are some lenders who provide private loan |
| politically instable regions). Your school counselor may | | | | consolidation as well. |
| be able to provide you with advice about finding a | | | | 4. Get a job in college |
| scholarship and applying for it. Also, there are | | | | Many colleges and universities offer work-and-study |
| numerous online databases of scholarship offers | | | | programs. Basically, it means that you get your |
| available for public browsing. | | | | studies paid by part-time work for the benefit of the |
| 2. Grant | | | | college. It may be a job on campus, or a position as |
| A grant is a form of financial aid that may seem | | | | a laboratory assistant. |
| similar to scholarship, but it surely isn't. While a | | | | 5. Community service program |
| scholarship is awarded for your current | | | | There are non-profit organizations that offer money |
| achievements, getting a grant involves a distinct | | | | awards to volunteers. For example, by working for |
| proposal of a future project (thesis, dissertation, or | | | | AmeriCorps for about a year you become eligible for |
| any form of research). | | | | educational award. Community service typically |
| A grant may be given to you after a potential | | | | involves working in public security, public health, |
| sponsor (government, school, or any third party) has | | | | education and environmental protection. |
| reviewed your proposal. Therefore, to get a grant | | | | 6. Join the army |
| you definitely have to "make an offer they can't | | | | Military forces can also provide educational funding. In |
| refuse". | | | | exchange, you will be required to serve military duty |
| 3. Loan | | | | in one of the following ways: going to college first, |
| Educational loans are less difficult to get than | | | | then the army; attending the army first, then college; |
| scholarships and grants, but their main drawback is | | | | or serving in military reserve by simultaneous studies |
| obvious - they have to be paid back. First, you should | | | | and part-time military training. |
| try applying for federal loan. Stafford federal loans | | | | Alternatively, you may compete for Congressional |
| have low fixed interest rates and may be subsidized, | | | | appointment to a military academy (West Point, |
| meaning that you won't have to worry about paying | | | | Marines academy in Annapolis, and others). If you |
| interest rate. | | | | succeed, federal government will pay for your |
| Perkins federal loans are awarded to those with | | | | studies. |
| exceptional financial need; they also have low interest | | | | You don't have to be rich to afford college. Consider |
| rates and their grace period is longer. You may also | | | | the various funding options carefully and you are a |
| apply for a loan from your state government - | | | | step closer to achieving your education dreams. |