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4-year Colleges vs. Technical Schools: Your Choice
College is not for everyone, but that does not mean you shouldn't pursue some sort of higher education or job training. When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are you doing something you love, or are you just working for...
Build Your Business (on a shoestring): Hire a College Intern
Starting up a new venture or business can be one of the most exciting times of your life. It can also be one of the most stressful. In the early months, or even early years of your business, cash flow is often not what you would like it to be....
College Life: Secrets to Getting By
When you first begin college, life can be difficult at times so it is vital to have some "university student survival tips" to ensure that you enjoy college life or at the very least, survive it. Obviously, money is going to play an important...
Planning for College Applications: Starting Out Early
If you've got kids who are getting close to the age where they'll need to apply to college, you should start figuring out a plan for getting them into the place they'll want to go. Ideally, you should start this before they even get into high school...
To Buy or Rent For Your College Student
September always means Back To School, and for thousands of families it also signals Off To College. In addition, more and more young people are opting to continue their education with post-graduate studies. Once a student is past the Mandatory...
 
Looking for College Grants?

Grants are a type of student aid that is awarded by the government. Grants for college students do not have to be repaid.

Grants are based upon financial need, as calculated by the federal aid program. The first step in applying for government grants is by completing the FAFSA.

Of course every student and parent would rather receive grants instead of loans, since they do not have to be repaid. So the student hopes to see a grant award when the results are returned from the application.

There are a few things to be aware of, however, when expecting a grant. The funds available for grants are limited, therefore the grant will not usually fully fund educational expenses. If the student is planning on attending a community college where tuition rates are lower, it is possible that grants will cover a greater percentage of the tuition and fees.

The second thing to be aware of is that when the need analysis is done by the government or school, the expected contribution of the parent is usually higher than in reality what is possible for most families. This expected contribution effects the amount available to the student for grants.

You can find out what your expected family


Why Is 'Scrubs' Switching Channels?
When the sitcom <em>Scrubs</em> returns for its eighth and likely final season on Jan. 6, it will be on a new network: ABC. What gives? Switching mid-run is actually not as rare as you might think. <em>Taxi,</em> <em>Wonder Woman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer</em> and even <em>Leave It To Beaver</em> did the same.

Obama Asks Congress To Approve Billions
With unemployment through the roof, foreclosures at an all-time high and a wildly fluctuating stock market, President-elect Barack Obama is asking Congress to approve hundreds of billions of dollars in new government spending.


contribution might be by using the calculator at collegeboard.com:
http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp

Another significant factor is that if the parent or guardian claims the student as a dependent on income tax returns, this effects the amount of aid available to the student. In general, a student who is 'independent' of the parents as far as the tax law goes, will receive more in financial aid awards.

First year students may find that they receive fewer grant awards than they expected. However students who are sophomores, juniors or seniors are more likely to get more grant awards. No matter what year of school you are in, complete the FAFSA every year so that you will be considered for available grants.

About The Author

Michael Carter is a contributor at College Financial Aid Guide, an online informational resource for educational funding, scholarships and student loans. Learn more ways to get money for college at: http://www.collegefinancialaidguide.com.