Question about college! HELPPP thx.?

Question

What are ways that I can get financial aid for college? My parents are middle class but won't pay for anything except a cheap community college. So I have to find a way to get money on my own...but FAFSA only helps real poor ppl.

There are scholarships I know...but what are some other ways? I have good grades, sports, clubs etc and I think a unique personality =) I'm Muslim and openminded to lotsa ideas.

Thanks! =D

Answer 1

Do fill out a FAFSA. It will not only make you eligible for grants but also for federal student loans--even the unsubsidized ones for higher-income recipients are better than non-federal student loans!

Check with universities that interest you for scholarships, and also possibly with your mosque. Religious institutions frequently offer scholarships for members. Also try scholarship search engines like fastweb.com, and don't back off on the essay ones--lots of people don't do them because they don't want to write the essay, so there is a smaller pool of applicants, making it easier for you to get one.

ADDITIONALLY, if you can prove that your parents are not helping you, your school may offer an option for you to declare independent through their financial aid office (although you will not be able to be independent on your taxes, etc, your FAFSA will be filed through the school as if you were a non-dependent student).

Answer 2

Look at the Peterson's site under Quick links... scholarship search.

Check the Web site for the college(s) you're thinking of attending.  They often have a Web page regarding scholarship information.

Go to your local library (public or college) and ask where the scholarship books are (in the reference area).

Answer 3

First off FAFSA is not for poor people..what a misconception.  Secondly if you want to pay for your own education then you need to fill out a FAFSA.  You can always apply for scholarships, take out loans, do work study(if its offered)