| st families, parents are the main source of funding | | | | The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is the |
| for college costs. With the costs of college spiraling | | | | largest private scholarship source in the US. These |
| upwards, however, parents and students often need | | | | financial awards are given based on Preliminary |
| to find additional sources of money. Here are some | | | | Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship |
| ideas on how many families and college bound | | | | Qualifying Test scores that are taken by high school |
| students can pick up some extra help. | | | | juniors. For more information on this awards program |
| The best sources of college money are grants and | | | | you should visit with your high school guidance |
| scholarships. These financial aids do not have to be | | | | counselor. |
| paid back. The difference between the two is that a | | | | Many students participate in the Reserve Officer |
| grant is money awarded on the basis of financial | | | | Training Program (ROTC) hosted by many colleges. |
| need; a scholarship is awarded based on many | | | | Those students who agree to serve in the military as |
| different criteria such as athletic abilities, honors | | | | commissioned officers after graduation can qualify for |
| programs, specific educational needs. | | | | scholarships. High school guidance counselors have a |
| The next best source of funds is through federal | | | | list of ROTC schools that you can look at. |
| grants. The Pell Grant Program is one of the most | | | | Stafford Loans can be an outstanding source of |
| popular. These are government grants that are | | | | financing college. This is a government subsidized |
| awarded each year. They are given to qualifying | | | | program and is available to qualifying students based |
| undergraduate students. You can pick up applications | | | | on a needs analysis. Repayment of the loan does not |
| for these grants at high schools or colleges. | | | | kick in until six months after graduation. |
| There are also many state grants and state | | | | The PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) |
| scholarships available. State grants and scholarships | | | | program is a new program and it allows parents |
| are available to students who are legal residents of | | | | another good way to find money for college. Parents |
| the state offering the grants and scholarships. It | | | | of undergraduate students are eligible to borrow |
| should be noted that many state programs require | | | | regardless of their current income. It should be noted, |
| that the student attend a local college or university. | | | | however, that PLUS loans are used primarily to assist |
| There are some exceptions to this. | | | | with the cost demands of very large tuition bills. You |
| It will vary from school to school but college grants | | | | can learn more about PLUS loans by doing an online |
| and scholarships are a great way to find college | | | | search. |
| money. Normally, students have to demonstrate | | | | These are only a few of the many sources of |
| financial need and meet certain school requirements in | | | | college money that is available. Your local library or |
| order to be eligible but these programs can be very | | | | college financial aid counselor can offer even more |
| helpful even if only in helping pay for books or living | | | | possibilities and it worth the effort to search them |
| expenses. | | | | out. |