Reusable Materials 33: Questions About Finding Scholarships

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Alan wanted to find a variety of financial sources to help cover his college costs. He obtained a tuition scholarship for three schools and selected the one that gave him to most money. He still wanted money to pay for housing, books, lab fees, food, transportation, and more. We helped him combine additional scholarships, some grants, and educational reimbursement. As a result, he attended college without having to pay very much of his own money.

Q: Are there more sources than scholarships, grants, & loans?

Yes, several sources of financial aid exist. Some provide you with the cash. Some pay it directly to the school, housing unit, or other vendor. Some do not pay in cash, but provide products in lieu. Additional sources of money for college include:

• Educational reimbursements paid to employees to gain additional skills required by the company. Educational reimbursements typically pay an employee a portion of the tuition (60-80%) based on the grades you receive. Usually the employee must pay the tuition first and receive the reimbursement after the class is over.
• Work-Study Programs is a federally funded program in which a student works on campus in exchange for tuition, housing, or other discounts. The federal government, then, reimburses the college for the money spent.
• Work your way through college, while out of favor with many students who prefer loans to work, still provides money to help pay for college. Working through college also provides a better resume than borrowing.
• Products in lieu of cash also provide a way to get through college. Dell Computers, for example, will award a laptop to students who qualify.

Q: Where can I found sources of financial aid?

Lots of organizations can help you find sources of financial aid:

• High school guidance counselors
• College financial aid counselors
• Search engines and web sites
• Human resource specialists
• Local service organizations and clubs
• Battered or abused women’s organizations
• Community action services
• Scholarship and financial aid books

Saturday we share a warning about tax implications with scholarships and other financial aid

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.