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Paying
for College Resources
Books, Web sites and other
resources to help you find information and answers to your questions
about financial aid and scholarships.
QUICK
FACTS
There is no fee to apply.
There is State and Federal money available for free.
There are loans available at a low interest rate.
You can receive Scholarships and Financial Aid at the same time.
LINKS
Apply online at: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) for Financial Aid: http://www.finaid.wsu.edu/faq.htm
TIMELINE
January 1st is the first day to file the FAFSA for the following
fall & spring. Filing a FAFSA before the March 1st priority
date will ensure that you receive funding from all programs you
qualify for. You can apply for financial aid at any time, but meeting
the priority date will ensure consideration for all available funds.
ADVICE
The financial aid process may take several months to complete. Start
at least three months before you will need the aid, provide all
information, and respond quickly to requests. We strongly encourage
students to file on the Internet if possible for faster and more
accurate results.
Keep a file
of all your Financial Aid paperwork. Make a photocopy of the Student
Aid Report (SAR) when you receive it from FAFSA and keep it in the
file.
TOP TEN SCHOLARSHIP IDEAS
1. NEVER
PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH! Instead Search free web sites
for scholarships.
2. Start
searching early and watch for deadlines. Some scholarships take
a year or more of advanced planning. Most scholarships have deadlines
starting in October. By March 15th, 75% of the scholarship deadlines
have passed. Be sure to check whether your application needs to
be postmarked by the deadline or received by the deadline. This
difference will affect the timing of your mailing. Remember to allow
yourself time to complete required essays, resumes, and other materials
that may have to accompany your application.
3. Read the
directions. It is surprising how much you will learn. Make sure
that you meet all of the requirements before you apply.
4. Follow
the directions. They are given for a reason.
5. Be thorough.
Answer questions fully. Your application is the primary information
by which you will be judged. It's okay to brag, but don't embellish!
At the same time, provide only the information the donor requires.
6. Neatness
in presentation is important. Unless it is absolutely impossible
to do so, type your application.
7. If an
essay is required as part of an application, its quality
is of the utmost importance. It is certainly acceptable to be
imaginative and creative; don't be afraid to take a chance and try
something a little different. At the same time, don't forget the
basics. Make the effort to be sure your spelling, grammar, punctuation,
syntax, etc. are correct. Remember the basic ideas and writing must
be your own.
8. Don't
wait until the last minute. Air-expressing an application is
expensive, transcripts can take up to three weeks to be sent by
a registrar, and the stress of wondering if you'll meet a deadline
is bad for your health. If your application packet is not complete
by the scholarship deadline, you will be eliminated from consideration
for that particular award. So plan ahead and be aware that there
really is a difference between a "received by" due date
and a "postmarked by" due date.
9. Be kind
to your references. Remember that the faculty, staff, clergy,
employers, and others you ask to submit letters of recommendation
for you have additional commitments. In a timely manner, provide
them with sufficient information about both you and the particular
award, so that they may write letters which will address not only
your strengths but the particular focus of the scholarships for
which you are applying.
10. Follow
up on all scholarship opportunities. The more scholarships you
apply for, the greater your chances for an award.
SCHOLARSHIP
SEARCH ENGINES
Listed below
are the addresses for a few web sites through which you can research
scholarship opportunities. Some of the services you will be accessing
are providing a free highlight of their service, but will charge
for a more "complete" scholarship search. Remember that
these services are available free through many sources.
Try these sites
for free Scholarship Searches:
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.collegeboard.org
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships
http://collegeplan.org
http://www.cashe.com
http://www.mach25.com
http://www.srnexpress.com
http://www.supercollege.com
Check the WSU
web site for new scholarships or additional questions: http://www.finaid.wsu.edu/scholar
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