subject: Are You Thinking About Going Back To College? [print this page] Mom's are going back to college in record numbers today, but finding that the costs are also at an all time high. Sure, student loans are available, but if you graduate with diploma in one hand and years of debt in the other, how much have you really gained.
Getting scholarships is not as hard as you might think. Maybe you weren't a straight A student or a champion athlete, but not all scholarships are based on things like these.
Federal programs exist to provide student aid to a broad spectrum of the nation's population. To find out how much you may qualify for, you simply fill out the online FAFSA application. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is the one application required to be considered for nearly all of the Federal programs out there.
Many studies have shown that students who work while attending college have a higher graduation rate that those who don't. Maybe it's the extra commitment, maybe just making sure that all that extra work paid off. Either way, it can be done and is being done. And if you do not have time for work, there is always financial aid to help you pay for school.
The best money for school is free money. Money that you don't have to pay back. There are many programs out there that can provide grants and scholarships for you school expenses. There are also private lending institutions that can help you as well. By filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can find out how much Federal grant money you qualify for. This money can be used for any expenses while you are in school and does not have to be paid back. Note that your award notice will list any student loan programs that you qualify for as well. It will be tempting to just take them up on the offer, but press on to the private sector first. Remember, free money is what you are looking for.
