To Succeed in College Use These Planning Tips

Matt Vint — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:17 +0000

For a lot of college students (or potential college students) it is actually the ‘getting into’ college part that is the hardest. College can cost a lot of money, of course, and chances are you aren’t from a highly rich family with thousands of dollars to spare – the majority of people aren’t this lucky, and so you need to think carefully about how you will bring together the money to afford this higher-end education.

Be Proactive!

First of all, you should think about thinking ahead! It can be as early as in the sophomore that students should be starting to collect and organize applications and even recommendations, essays, test scores and even transcripts. A student should begin applying by the junior year to fully take advantage of the scholarships that are in fact geared towards the younger college students. College students are also advised to create a calendar of application deadlines to help them greatly, at a younger age preferably.

It is also advisable that you think categorically as a younger college student, as certain college scholarships highly depend on ethnic, religious or even professional affiliations in fact.

Apply for FAFSA for Federal Financial Aid

You can also be advised to think federally for Federal Student Aid. Also known as FAFSA, you can do this by filling out the entirely Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. The form itself is actually completely online and can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov (you can also trying calling them at (800) 4-FED-AID), and it really is the only real way to apply for proper college grants, scholarship money and even loans issued completely through the U.S. government.

But basically just remember that specifically male students over 18 must in fact register with ‘Selective Service’ to fully qualify for federal student loans or in fact grant programs, and these will include of course Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, the Guaranteed Student/PLUS Loans and also the National Direct Student Loans.

For more information on paying for school, visit our College Scholarships page.

Students Need to Prepare for College Loans Early

Ryan Collins — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:00:32 +0000

San Francisco, CA (CollegetoCareers.com) – College is one of the most daunting rights of passage in a young person’s life. In addition to learning how to survive on your own for the first time away from your protective parents, you have to deal with how to pay for your schooling, your textbooks, your room and board, travel to and from home and school and any other costs that go along with a college education.

Thankfully, there are many ways to prepare yourself early for the eventual school loan payments you will be making for years and even decades to come after you graduate with your degree. While many students are lucky enough to receive free federal grant money that they will not have to pay back after they graduate, most students will receive financial aid in the form of loans. Create a separate savings account that is intended solely to be used for your future college loan payments as early as possible. The less money you have to pay after you graduate, the better.

The Downriver News Herald reports that one of the best ways for parents to prepare their children for these future monthly payments is by creating a 529-college savings plan. These savings plans are intended specifically for college funding. Anything accumulated in the account will be tax free if it is used to pay for qualifying higher education expenses such as tuition, books and room and board.

Luckily for many students, most loans come with a grace period after a student graduates that allows them to either become situated or find a job before they are required to start making loan payments. The length of the grace period changes for undergraduates and graduate students and the different types of student loans.

Federal Stafford loans (Direct Loan Program or Federal Family Education Loan) have a sixth-month grace period, while Federal Perkins Loans have a nine-month period. Graduate students are lucky enough to have options of deferment based on economic hardship or military service.

There are also PLUS loans, which operate completely different from all other types. Repaying a PLUS loan begins on the same day the federal government disburses the loan, and students are expected to make the first payment within 60 days.

For more information on paying for college, visit our College Scholarships page.

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To Succeed in College Use These Planning Tips

Students Need to Prepare for College Loans Early