| Paying for university or college is one of | | | | assistance. The first and most important |
| the most valuable investments you can make in | | | | thing you can do is get good grades in school |
| your life. As you know, however, it is also | | | | – good grades not only might qualify |
| one of the biggest investments too. For this | | | | you for a scholarship, but they also make |
| reason, good financial planning well in | | | | your chances a lot better of being accepted |
| advance of attending the university of your | | | | to the university of your choice. |
| choice is essential. You will want to create | | | | |
| a budget and consider everything – not | | | | 3. Grants To The Rescue |
| just tuition but also reasonable living | | | | |
| costs. Unfortunately, sometimes budgeting | | | | Of course, what if you're not as smart as |
| simply isn't enough – and that's where | | | | those students? What will you do to get into |
| federal grants come into play. | | | | college by not spending a lot of money? The |
| | | | government can provide you money for college |
| 1. Grant Or Scholarship – What's The | | | | students who are in need of financial aid. |
| Difference? | | | | This is called the Free Application for |
| | | | Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. This is a form |
| The main difference between a grant and a | | | | of grant that will determine how much your |
| scholarship is that a scholarship has far | | | | family's financial strength is. You can fill |
| more restrictions placed upon it than a | | | | out a FAFSA form in your school or via the |
| grant. Both grants and scholarships are | | | | internet in the FAFSA website at – Not |
| non-repayable, that is, unlike a loan you | | | | only students who have financial difficulty |
| don't have to pay them back when you are done | | | | should do this but everyone should do it. |
| your schooling, which basically means you're | | | | This will substantially decrease the amount |
| getting free money. So if at all possible, | | | | you will spend to pay for college and can |
| try to get a grant or a scholarship. | | | | lessen the burden for your parents. |
| Scholarships are for specific academic or | | | | |
| athletic categories, whereas grants are | | | | 4. Have The Following Information Ready |
| awarded primarily on financial need only. | | | | – Social Security Number – Latest |
| | | | W-2 forms and other records of money earned. |
| 2. Raising Your Chances | | | | – Federal Income Tax Return of your |
| | | | parents. – Permanent Residence Card if |
| There are a few things you can do to raise | | | | a non US citizen. |
| your chances of being eligible for financial | | | | |