For many students, college is not the most affordable and sometimes finding scholarships and additional funding can be a challenge.
Jeff Stahlman, president of the Ohio Association for Admissions Counseling, and counselor at St. Charles Preparatory School, in Columbus, offers these four tips on financial assistance.
There are many free websites to help — don’t pay for this service.
1FAFSA
Apply for the FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid). This application will be available on October 1st of the senior year.
2Private Schools
Don’t be afraid to consider private schools. Many provide good scholarship money and financial aid.
3Community College
Ohio has an excellent system of state supported universities and community colleges. These are often affordable options for students.
4Scholarships
Independent scholarships are usually competitive. You may have to apply to many to have the best chance of winning one. Set a schedule and a plan and stick to it. There are many free websites to help — don’t pay for this service. Think about applying for one scholarship each week.
Free financial aid resources
More college tips and advice here.
