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December 2, 2002
A: FROM MENTOR CHARLENE CASSIDY
IN SC
Phung, there are many scholarships available each year for
all students.
They can be need based, academic based or a combination of
both. The
hardest part is knowing where to look. Your chances will not
be good at all
if you do not apply for any scholarships. Eligibility requirements
are
usually clearly defined on applications. Speak with your guidance
counselor, she will help you find local civic organizations
who award
scholarships, the financial aid office of the colleges you
are applying to
will also be able to help you determine what types of scholarships
you are
eligible for. Look on the internet for professional societies
in your field
of interest, they often award scholarships, some of which
are multi-year or
renewable.
December 2, 2002
A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS
IN KS
: Phung, scholarships for the most part will not be based
on your
financial need. There are several types of aid available to
pay for
college. These can be divided roughly into scholarships, grants,
and loans.
Scholarships are usually awarded on the basis of academic
merit
and issues of financial need are generally not considered
when
awarding scholarships.
Grants might include things like work-study, Pell Grants and
other
kinds of need based aid. The amount of money you get through
something like this will depend on the demonstrated level
of financial
need for your family. Your family will need to complete something
called the FAFSA as soon as possible. The Kansas State University
student financial assistance web page has collected some information
about this form and the process
http://www.ksu.edu/sfa/applyfedassistance.htm
Most universities will have a web page like this that helps
you
understand the application processes, the deadlines, and what
kinds
of aid are available to you.
The last kind of money available to pay for college is through
loans.
Loans have to be paid back, while scholarships do not and
many kinds
of grants do not. Usually to apply for a loan you have to
have completed
the FAFSA, so this is an important step.
Even though you may have to take out loans to pay for your
education,
this is not such a bad thing. You can think of it as an investment
in your
future, for truly it is. People take out loans for cars all
the time and
then eventually the car doesn't run anymore - but an education
is for a lifetime!
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