{ GRAD IN 09 } and i am so nervous about graduating and starting.. COLLEGE. HELP WITH FINANCES!!?

Question

I graduate at the end of this school year coming, and i need to begin looking into grants. and whats the difference between this and financial aid. i need to apply. should i do it now.. or how.. OMG IM CONFUSED. someone plz just help me start... how do i get a grant.. and apply for financial aid online.. I need to know HOW to get money. and how to do a grant.. or whatever.. thanks.. <3

Answer 1

Managing your finances should never be a completely solo task.  Why not take advantage of the hundreds of free financial consultancy websites?  You can easily find reputable help from financial directories like http://cozyfinance.com/ and save yourself the hassle from learning it all yourself.

Answer 2

Read this book cover to cover.  It will answer most of the questions you have.

Answer 3

YES PLEASE TRY TO STICK TO GRANTS AND SCHOLORSHIPS IF YOU CAN...AS THE OTHER PERSON SAID APPLY AT FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FINACIAL AID) WHATEVER YOU DO TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM STUDENT LOANS ONLY GET THEM IF YOU REALLY AND TRUELY NEED THEM...GRANTS AND SCHOLORSHIPS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY BACK..LOANS YOU DO AND ILL PAYING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE ONLY GET WHAT YOU NEED NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE TELLS YOU..GOOD LUCK ON YOUR COLLEGE ENDEVORS..

Answer 4

Relax...it&#039;s not that bad.  First, start looking for scholarships.  Check with the admissions and financial aid offices at the college(s) you are looking at attending.  Do this now as many have deadline dates.  You can also find additional scholarship information at http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/.  

Second, plan on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2009.  The application can be completed on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.  You will need to provide information from your 2008 federal tax form, so get it completed as soon as possible (you may also need to provide parental information, so make sure they get their 1040 done, too).  This application will allow you to be considered for federal (and often times state and institutional) financial assistance in the form of grants, work, and low-interest loans.  If you&#039;d like you can take a look at this years FAFSA to see what kind of information you may need to apply.  You can find it at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before012.htm.  Next year&#039;s FAFSA will be a bit different, but this will give you a good idea and help you start planning for next year.