What You Should Know About Scholarships

When it's time to go to college, the word "scholarship" is confusing for both students and parents. We automatically think about student loans, FAFSA, tuition and fees, EFC, grants, and work study. But what we don't realize is that knowing more about the scholarship process could save us thousands of dollars when trying to cover the cost of our kids' education.

Scholarships are "free money" given away by the government, private institutions and organizations, charitable foundations, schools, universities, clubs, etc. Unlike loans, scholarships are not repaid to the scholarship provider.

Some of the scholarships available are:

• Athletic Scholarships

• National Merit Scholarships

• Academic Merit Scholarships

• Professional, Career, and Trade Association-Sponsored Scholarships

• FAFSA

• Work Study

• Ethnic and Religious Scholarships

• Community Organization Sponsored Scholarships

• Special Scholarships

• Alumni Legacy Scholarships

• Transfer Student Scholarships

With so many scholarships, how do you know which one to apply to or where can you go for an application?

Some scholarships are based on your kid's grades or financial needs, while others are awarded based on ethnic groups, athletic or artistic abilities, or given to students interested in a particular field.

In some instances, your kids don't have to have perfect grades to apply for a scholarship, and some don't even ask for any proof of income.

For example, the Work-Study Scholarship will require your kid to work part-time for the money given and most jobs are on campus.

Finding information on scholarships on the Internet can be difficult because you won't find everything you need to know to finance your child's education.

A year ago, when my daughter was going to college, I searched the Internet and the only thing I found simple enough to do was fill out a FAFSA application. Since I didn't have time to search the Internet at the moment, and because other information I found was so confusing, I decided just to fill out the application and did nothing else.

I promised myself that for the next year, I would search in advance because even though my daughter got some financial aid, I was convinced that there had to be other resources out there for her education.

That's when I came accross a guide written by a father that went through the process of getting a scholarship for his child, who spent time talking to financial aid officers at many universities and discovered that just filling out the CSS Profile and FAFSA financial aid forms and meeting some deadlines is only half the battle in acquiring Federal Pell grants, college need-based grants, and Federal Stafford and Perkins loans.

I learned how college financial aid offices actually determine what federal aid and state grants will be given out to potential students and if you know in advance how to prepare yourself to receive the maximum amount for your child's college education, you will obtain better results.

Once you know where to find the information and when and how to apply for a scholarship, it will be easy to obtain financial aid for your kids.

For more information, visit http://www.1mykids.com/scholarships.html

Maria Estarellas

About The Author

Maria Estarellas is the webmaster for

http://www.1mykids.com

"The Complete Website For The Whole Family".

Information on How to Apply for Scholarships, Parenting Tips, Crafts, Games, School Projects and Essays, Music Downloads, Clothing, Candles, Hobbies for Mom and Dad, Information on How to Start Your Own Online Business, Mortgage Tips, Beauty Tips and More.

meg2@aweber.com

---

Building Interaction Into Your Online Course

You've already decided that you're ready to author online and you have your content organized. Now it's time to face the ultimate challenge in online learning -... Read More

Graduation Quotations - Top 35

"Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn some honors! "-- Louisa May Alcott"Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues."--... Read More

Student Removals - How to Get the Lowest Quote

The problem with student and any small move comes when a small load has to be transported a long way:- For the moving company, the mileage and... Read More

How To Improve Your Study Habits and Remember Better

If you're a student attending classes, you have probably experienced many moments when it was hard to make yourself settle down and study, even when an important... Read More

All About Grants for College Students

Grants are a type of student aid that is awarded by the government. Grants for college students do not have to be repaid.Grants are based upon financial... Read More

Scholarships not Working for You Neither, Huh?

We're going to college, and we need cash. We have tuition and food, housing, books... like I said, we need cash. We hear about these billions of... Read More

Higher Education as Service Trade Exporter In South Africa

IntroductionWhilst it is recognized that South Africa is still in a process of transition regarding higher education to address the imbalances of the past, it should also... Read More

CRI Releases Its 2003-2004 College Graduate Survey

Upper Saddle River, N.J. - May 2004 - Compensation Resources, Inc. has released the results of its 2003-2004 College Graduate Salary Survey. The purpose of this study... Read More

Quality Schools

After presenting these ideas at the NAREN (National At-Risk Education Network) in Wisconsin last week, I was asked to write an article that would be able to... Read More

College Roommate Personality Clashes: How to Survive

Are you living with your total opposite? It's amazing how different two people sharing the same (tiny) room can be. Even the littlest things can drive you... Read More

Balancing College Life and Academics

1. Control Your Schedule; Don't Let Your Schedule Control YouOrganization and time management skills are two of the most valuable skills you will ever have. One of... Read More

Getting Into College No Longer A Numbers Game!

Sending your kids to college has never been more difficult or more expensive, and outstanding grades no longer guarantee admission! Student competition is at an all-time high... Read More

Life-Long Students Make More Money

You may not miss eating Ramen noodles everyday, but you are doing yourself a huge disservice if you have completely forgotten every aspect of the student lifestyle.... Read More

College Admissions Essays that Take 1st Place -A Personal Statement Checklist

Congratulations on your move toward a college degree. And congratulations on seeking support for writing your admissions essay/personal statement. The squeaky motor gets the oil, so you... Read More

Is Pursuing A Degree Online Really For You? Who Should And Who Should Not?

Stanford University's Online Lessons Learned Stanford University's Center for Professional Development has recently completed a survey of those that have been successful in completing online degree... Read More

Parents: Take the SAT Challenge!

I keep a box of tissues on the table where I tutor because, as an SAT tutor and college application consultant, I listen to high school juniors... Read More

What Makes A Penn State Online Degree Preferable To Other Online Degrees?

A Penn State online degree is a college degree from Penn State University that is offered through the Internet. This is equivalent to a degree received from... Read More

Principalship: Leading Change in Schools

The L.E.A.D.E.R. WayINTRODUCTIONIn June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled the Government's vision of 'Thinking Schools, Learning Nation' (TSLN). This vision was forged to improve Singapore's education... Read More

How to Find Money for College Education

Many current and future college students need help to pay for college. Especially with tuition rates going up every year, students are looking for ways to pay... Read More

The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper

Academics from Oxford University have mathematically proven long held suspicions that the Eurovision Song contest is a fix. The team, led by Professor Neil Johnson of Lincoln... Read More

CSI Has Made The Study Of Forensics An Exciting Career Opportunity

Forensics is not just one field of study but encompasses several different disciplines. You first decision is to determine which area most interests you.If you would like... Read More

Distance Learning : Get an education while you work!

Distance Learning Makes the GradeDistance Learning might make all the difference for you between your hole in the wall job and your dream job. Many working professionals... Read More

The Pros and Cons of an Online College Degree

Getting a college degree online seemingly appears to be a very convenient way to gain further education without having to inconvenience your home life. An easier way... Read More

Reducing the Administrative Burden for Further Education Colleges

The introduction of the Government's Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in September 2004 meant that more young people from poorer backgrounds could afford to stay on in further... Read More

The Distance Learning Explosion!

A generation ago few would have given much thought to educating themselves apart from a 'brick and mortar' educational institution. Certainly, for several generations, correspondence courses allowed... Read More

Internship Opportunities at Levine Communications

ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE NOW! "As we celebrate our twentieth (20th) anniversary as one of Hollywood's most prominent entertainment PR firms, I'm convinced that our... Read More