Wow, that went by fast! It’s time to head off to college, but you and your family didn’t save enough for the educational experience you’re hoping for. Now what do you do?! Don’t worry– it’s never too late. You can use a combination of these 4 strategies to help make your college dream a reality:
Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the first step to getting help with a federal or state education loan. You might be surprised to learn that you qualify for more help than you thought. Every bit helps, right?
Be sure to check with your high school guidance counselor to find out about any current state or federal educational grants. Some grants are need-based, while others are awarded for academic achievement. Grants are similar to scholarships in that you don’t usually need to pay them back!
There are many sources of college scholarships, if you’re willing to look and take the time to apply. Civic groups, religious organizations and businesses often provide scholarship support to graduating high school students in their local communities. Remind your parents to check with their employers to see if they offer any scholarships. There are even some trade associations that offer scholarships for students intending to study a field related to their organizations’ missions. The college you plan to attend may also offer scholarships based on financial need, academic merit, or other factors. Any combination of scholarships can help make the cost of higher education easier on your own finances. Learn more in this video “How to Find Scholarships for College.”
If your parents are helping with the cost of your college education, consider private student loans. Most students will need to apply with a co-signer – usually Mom or Dad – in order to obtain a private student loan. These are a much less expensive option than if your parents used credit cards, home equity lines of credit, or personal loans to help with your college expenses. Credit unions almost always provide the lowest rates and best terms. Learn more about our private student loans.
Many college students juggle part-time jobs during their college years to help make ends meet. If you’re going to be a full-time student, be sure to limit the number of hours a week you plan to work, though, to save enough time for your studies. The last thing you want is for your job to interfere with your academic progress toward graduation goals. A steady paycheck (no matter how small) can help supplement the financing you’ll need for college life. Whether it’s an on-campus work study or a job off campus, both also provide critical experience and valuable life skills– WIN-WIN!
By using a combination of these 4 strategies, you can help fund your future with a strong educational experience.
Category: College Bound
You successfully made it through the college application and admissions processes—congratulations! Now that you’ve found a fantastic school, it’s time to create a smart plan to pay for your education.
Wow, that went by fast! It’s time to head off to college, but you and your family didn’t save enough for the educational experience you’re hoping for. Now what do you do?! Don’t worry– it’s never too late. You can use a combination of these 4 strategies to help make your college dream a reality:
School graduations are major milestones. So it makes sense that you’d want to mark the occasion with a memorable, meaningful and useful gift.
So you’re college-bound, and before you even step foot on campus, your bank account is already worthy of “starving student” status. You need money for tuition and expenses, but it’s too late to start saving now. Is there any hope? Yes!
Do you know about Massachusetts’ first statewide college savings program, BabySteps? The goal of this program is to ensure every family has the opportunity for future success! BabySteps will provide $50 towards every child born or adopted in the Commonwealth upon opening a 529 college savings account. This program is designed to help all parents save for their child’s higher education, and level the playing field for all children in Massachusetts.
Yikes! It’s almost time for your child to go to college, and you didn’t save enough for the education you want to provide him or her. But guess what? Your goals may still be within reach with the help of a combination of resources. Before getting stressed out, learn about these 4 ways to pay for college:
This is the big summer, the last one of your high school career! At this time next year, you’ll have graduated and will be on your way to the next phase of your life. Life will change quite a bit, whether you go to college or trade school, take a gap year to volunteer or travel, join the military, or jump right into your career. Are you ready? Probably not, but there’s still time!
Did you know it’s truly never too late to go “back to school” and learn something new? There are options in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and even online for adults who are ready to expand their knowledge!
#1 Before you buy anything for your teen’s dorm room, find out what the school already provides either in the room or somewhere in the building. Some dorms have shared kitchen areas, vacuums that can be borrowed, etc.
At one point in my post-grad career, I had to temporarily switch to an Income-Sensitive Repayment Plan. This option stipulated that the loan payments were going to be based on my annual income. I was only on this plan for about one year but I was paying almost $200 less than what my regular payments were supposed to be.
You could spend this summer between high school and college vegging out, or you could use the next few months to get ahead. Here are some quick tips for making the most of this special summer:
You’ve received your college acceptance letters, graduated from high school, and maybe even had a big party to celebrate. Congratulations! While some students may be hitting the beach and taking time to decompress, you want to make the most of the next few months before going off to college. You’re smart! There are several ways you can maximize the summer break to put yourself in a much better position for your upcoming college career: