College Scholarship: Guide to Parents on Getting Financial Aid for their Children

Many believe that being a parent is the happiest moment in the life of a human being. Probably you still remember the excitement that you felt when your wife gave birth to your first child. There are times that you will not sleep because you want to take care of your child even in the midst of the evening. You want to ensure that he/she will sleep soundly through the night.

It is true that happiness comes with children in the family. However, such happiness could be achieved if you are responsible enough with your children. You need to provide all of their needs, starting from their infancy until the time that they are studying. Although it will really cost you a lot, you have the responsibility to your children, especially in giving them the education that they need.

If you have children who are now going to college, you have to think of their financial needs. Probably you still remember your own collegiate years and you are aware of the financial needs of an ordinary college student. However, the difference is that you are now the parent—you will now be the one to think of the different payments that you need to settle for your children’s college education, such as college application, scholastic assessment test expenditures, transcript of records, and others. Add to it the lodging and food allowance of your children if the college or university is far away from your own residence.

Thinking all of these college-related expenses could be overwhelming and bothering as well, especially if your salary is not enough to support such expenses and your family’s financial needs at the same time. But if you know how to get a college financial aid for your children, you will find out that everything will work out smoothly.

How you will start your search for the college financial aid for your children? Here are some tips that you can start with:

•    When your children are still on their high school years, you should start searching for potential universities that offer college scholarships for deserving freshman students as well as financial aid programs funded by different organizations. You may start your search on the Internet to look for possible college financial aid options for your children.
•    Once you find a prospective university, visit their main office and inquire for any college scholarship or financial aid offers.
•    Always ask for the cut-off dates of filing and submission of college financial aid application forms.
•    Tell your children about the importance of a scholarship to their college education. Make them aware that they have plenty of options to consider as long as they have good high school scholastic records. In this way, you will be able to motivate them to study harder and make good grades, thus increasing your chances of a good financial aid.
•    You may also consider filing an application for financial aid programs funded by the Federal government. State-owned colleges and universities offer this kind of financial assistance to qualified and deserving students who want to pursue their college studies despite of financial difficulties. You may submit the FAFSA (Free Application Form Student Aid) personally.
•    Make certain that you have completed all the FAFSA requirements (such as present statement of bank accounts, monthly income records, present mortgage information, and others) and understand the rights or specialadvantages before accepting the financial aid for your children. You may also check if the financial aid is renewable.

With different financial aid programs such as college scholarships and federal grants, you are assured of a bright future for your children despite of the financial difficulties that you are currently experiencing.

Track the Field to Athletic Scholarship

Many of the youth today are gifted with aptitudes in sports. Some excel in gymnastics, swimming, archery, while the others excel in football, golf, martial arts, track and field events, and the list goes on.

Nowadays, the youths agility to fulfill their passions comes with a bonus—athletic scholarship.

Athletic scholarships are specially designed for the students who excel in sports provided they will be able to acquire a good grade which is appropriate to the required scores of the organization who funded the scholarship. And of course, the talent that goes with the discipline a devoted sports person desires.

If you are one of these sports person who want to acquire the said scholarship, your initial step is to look for the college institutions or universities which present the academic program that suits to your interests.

However, you still have to note that educating yourself even thoughplaying sports. As you join a division, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of attending either in smaller colleges or large institutions.

You may find yourself standing out though in a smaller college. You may also join in large institutions, but chances are you might find yourself just as an alternative to a lot of other athletes.

You must be aware that the sports played during college are not like playing in your school or in your local community.  Before engaging here, you can consult first your trainer/coach if you're “good enough” to qualify for college sports already.

The level of play is very much different and so much competition has sent what was dubbed as great players in their community to mediocrity in this level.

There are two ways in presenting the athletic scholarship. First is through official applications. And the following is the scout’s recommendations who represents the colleges and who travels to assess players in various sports, looking for the players that possess star qualities.

If you aim to succeed, aim to excel in your sophomore year. Maintain high grades to meet the academic requirements. It is also advisable that you compile your accomplishments for being an athlete. Consult to your coach whether which sports you will be best fitted according to your abilities. 

Also, be keen in selecting the school which offers an immense balance between sports and academics. Talk to a career guidance counselor; this may help you in choosing the subjects you can study so you can qualify not just in sports alone. Establish contacts among the coaches of the college where you are applying, in addition, and let them know that yoo are dedicated and eager to know more about their curriculum.

Most of all, show your best advantages like showcasing both academic and athletic accomplisments. Then cite that you are looking for a scholarship. It will also be an advantage if you would initiate in submitting the applications to the college where the coach you wanted to contact works, this will emphasize your enthusiasm on the program.

With all the colleges and universities that offer athletic scholarships for great athletes, your college education will never be too straining to your parent’s purse anymore. Instead, they will feel glorified of having a kid who can excel not just in sports alone, but also in academics.

Now, as you go on to your application, remember that handling the application sensibly matched with discipline are the best recipes to ensure full scholarship in college.

College Education: Scholarship Grants or Financial Aid?

How much is the cost for a college education?

Is there an available financing scheme?

Let’s face the reality. College education is expensive! A lot of parents do a double take when their children are preparing and looking forward to attending a community college or a state university.

There are a lot of things which comprises the cost of college education and the tuition fee is just a part of the big picture of getting into college. Other everyday expenditure includes food, transportation, housing, pocket money, and other miscellaneous fees which when added up can create a significant portion in financing a college education.

A lot of families in this day and age, even if they belong to the upper-class society, think about applying for financial aid. College grants and scholarships are the most excellent kind of financial assistance.

Grant and scholarship programs do not entail students or the family to pay back. These could be of two kinds: (1) base on need, which is given due to the financial inability of the student and the family as a whole, and (2) base on merit, the talent of the student like in sports, is the main consideration. The student’s academic ability also falls under the merit-base college grant and scholarship.

Oftentimes, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to ease out the whole financial aid process. Numerous students and their families are in the look-out for this type of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are limited compared with the growing number of students year after year.

Qualifying students can avail of federal and a number of state scholarship programs. Some of which are the following:

Federal or National Pell Grants – this is a program funded nationwide intended to endow assistance to any qualified undergraduate learner pursuing postsecondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this kind are given to those who have not finished a baccalaureate degree.

The worth of the grant can vary year after year and will depend largely on the financial need of the students, the expenses that will be incurred while attending the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government.

This type of grant will open opportunity for the students to avail succeeding financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – this is a program for ongoing undergraduate students with outstanding monetary need. However, not all students can avail this type of grant. This will depend on the eligibility of the students and availability of finances of the concerned school.

Another form of financial aid that students and families can turn to is through loans. This type of financial assistance should be paid back. The financial need of the family should be considered thoroughly to avoid paying high interest rates.

It is also a must to understand all the terms of lending agencies such as the schedule of repayment and interest rates, before signing in or making a commitment.

Work study is a form of financial assistance which calls for students to do labor to sustain their college education. Work study is commonly done on campus and is the most typical form of financial aid in all universities and colleges. Usually, the students will render service to schools for ten to fifteen hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid to acquire college education is really multifaceted, confusing at times, and even exasperating. The good thing is college education is a non-refundable and non-biodegradable type of investment. It is for the future!

How to Apply for a Scholarship: College Freshman’s Recipe

When we speak of college scholarship application, the burden is always on the parents. Since they have the responsibility over the education of their children and they know what will be good for them, parents apply personally for the college scholarship of their children.

What if we turn the tide? From primary to secondary education, your parents accepted the responsibility. But you are old enough to take care of a simple college scholarship application. It takes some courage, self-confidence, and some excellent academic records to apply for a college scholarship. Keep in mind that is you who will utilize the financial aid that comes with the scholarship and not your parents. Thus, applying for a college scholarship is now your business, and you can do it with less supervision from your parents.

The procedure for college scholarship application is similar when you apply for college. You need to learn every scholarship opportunity available and make a list of potential prospects that you think will fit your personal needs. Once through with the list, you need to create an application letter and state your achievements (good high school scholastic records and recommendation letters from your high school director and teachers) and you are now on your way on getting into college for less, if not for free.

The above-mentioned procedure is the most common way of getting a college scholarship. However, the chances of success lies in you, and you need to exert more effort to assure yourself of a financial aid when you go to college. To increase your chances, here are some pointers that you can consider:

•    You should start as early as your high school years. There are many college scholarships that open during your senior high school year. In addition, these financial aid programs are only open in a specific period of time. Once the application closes, you have to wait for another year before you can file for your application. Starting early will give you better chances of getting the best financial aid available.

•    Give importance to the scholarship requirements. Keep in mind that among all available scholarships, there are only few that will fit your qualifications. Read the eligibility standards of the college scholarship that you want to apply. If you found out that the financial aid does not fit with the qualifications that you have, search for another. Do not insist yourself on scholarships where your chances of success is minute.

•    Do not forget to complete the requirements asked by the college scholarship. Prepare the documents that are commonly asked by the scholarship grantee to its applicants.

•    Your application letter will be your “speaking alter-ego” to the sponsor of the college scholarship you have applied for. Thus, you need to create an application letter that will convince the sponsor that you honestly need the financial aid and you deserve to get one, state honest information in your application. Never include false information especially if your purpose is just to “flatter” the sponsor with your achievements.

After you followed the aforementioned recipe, you are now ready to submit your application to the scholarship screening committee. Be prepared for other requirements (such as interviews and examinations) that will determine if you are eligible to receive a college scholarship.

Follow the aforementioned college freshman’s recipe when you apply for a college scholarship.  And best of all, do not forget to pray that the sponsor would consider you eligible for the college scholarship. Good luck!

Petersons Sports Scholarship and College Athletic Program: Getting your Way towards becoming a College-Bound Student Athlete

Supposedly you are a high school athlete who want to continue his sports career and has high hopes in entering the varsity when you go to college. You are confident enough that you will be able to attract the attention of college varsity coaches who might offer you some scholarship money that will help you a lot with regards to your college studies. You are aware that studying in college is expensive, and your parents may not afford it. Thus, you are using your talent as your capital in getting into any college sports scholarship program and at the same time continue your passion—being an athlete.

Thus, you need to start some research so that you will be able to arrive with a college sports scholarship program. But where will you start? Getting a college sport scholarship is probably a new thing to you, and definitely you will start from scratch, constantly wondering where to beginyour researching tasks.

How about getting the famous Peterson’s guidebook about getting a college sports scholarship? Instead of spending long hours in front of your personal computer and yet ending up with nothing, you may consider reading this guidebook and learn how to grab the best college sports scholarship that will match your college needs.

Published in August of 2004, this Peterson’s guidebook complete title is Peterson’s Sports Scholarship and College Athletic Programs, which is an “all-inclusive, college-by-college look at different college sports scholarships, intercollegiate athletic programs, and other financial information that is intended for high school athletes who want to continue playing at intercollegiate level and at the same time having the financial difficulty of getting to college”.

Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?

It scans different college sports scholarships available in the United States. The guidebook’s content reveals the detail of various athletic programs from over 1,700 two- and four-year schools, including their respective national association and conference affiliations. From this guidebook, you will also get the names and contact numbers of college team coaches, descriptions of sports facilities, and graduation rates for student-athletes. In addition, it also lists around 30 types of sports games (everything from basketball to wrestling), both for men and women as well as their cross references from other schools offering those sports. Thus, you will be able to check if your sport is among the ones that offers college sports scholarship.

Here is the summary of the contents of Peterson’s Sport Scholarship and College Athletic Programs:

•    The Recruiting Process, which tackles finding your perfect fit with regards to college athletics, and other recruitment-related issues.
•    Coach’s Forum, which includes views of head coaches of different sports in various colleges and universities across the United States.
•    The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Guide for College-Bound Student Athlete, which tackles the eligibility-requirements of student athlete to different college sports scholarships as well as NCAA initial-eligibility clearinghouse.
•    The alphabetical listings of various college athletic programs.
•    Indexes, which include geographic listings of various college athletic programs, which is also sorted according to the sport and division where it belongs.

Through the Peterson’s Sport Scholarship and College Athletic Programs Guidebook, you will be able to reach your dream of becoming a college-bound student athlete while at the same time getting your college degree. It is the best gift that you can give to yourself, so do not ever miss the opportunity to do so.