| Due to the rising cost of a college education, many | | | | the United Negro College Fund to Microsoft. Not only |
| government-funded agencies and private | | | | can they be more accessible than |
| organizations are stepping up to help students reduce | | | | government-funded aid, but could actually have a |
| their total debt. Even so, many candidates face the | | | | higher payout with less strings attached. For instance, |
| chilling option of taking out enormous college loans. | | | | Apple has a competition every year where it selects |
| That doesn't mean students shouldn't do their own | | | | winners based on major or professional goals, in this |
| homework on the assistance needed to aid in | | | | case the best new app. This could give them |
| obtaining their college degrees. If anything, financial | | | | additional motivation to do well in their |
| aid recipients have to work even harder before | | | | classroom-based or online courses. The winners get a |
| deciding on one program or another. | | | | straight-up check. |
| Due to the recession, more undergraduates than | | | | Potential students who should really take this advice |
| ever are pursuing degrees or returning to school in | | | | to heart are single parents. It makes incredible good |
| order to improve their position in life and make a | | | | sense that they want to improve their status to |
| career change. Former dropouts are returning to | | | | better care for their families, and the government |
| class. Others are going back to improve their position | | | | has "single mom" grants, which could cover anything |
| inside the workplace. This makes many federal aid | | | | from tuition and fees to childcare and housing. Still, |
| programs - which are usually awarded on a first | | | | single parents should read the fine print. Make a |
| come, first served basis - become very competitive. | | | | mistake and they can lose other important programs |
| Put these situations together and it's becoming a | | | | like Medicaid. |
| whole new world for college students. If they are | | | | A good place to start one's research is with one's |
| high school student sourcing their first college, the | | | | campus-based or online college of choice. Many of |
| best advice is to start the hunt during the second | | | | them host college fairs or resource nights with |
| half of their high school junior year. While those who | | | | financial aid advisors on hand. They'll explain federal |
| already have some college experience, even going | | | | and private sources of funding. |
| for post-graduate work, have a more open time | | | | Another thing to watch for is some schools will |
| frame, with all the options now available these older | | | | reduce their own assistance if applicants receive aid |
| students should take a bit more time before making | | | | from non-traditional sources; even family. The thing a |
| a final decision. | | | | student should therefore do is gather all the |
| For instance, some students may want to get a | | | | acceptance letters they get, then sit down and |
| college grant from private institutions ranging from | | | | determine which plan works best. |