College Financing Options
Fill Out Financial Aid Forms
Paying for college without undue stress is a challenge, but it is not impossible. All college tuition procedures should start with filling out the FAFSA financial aid forms; for information contact; www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Other sources for information about financial aid and scholarships include: www.ed.gov.finaid.html, www.salliemae.com, www.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com, www.collegenet.com, www.scholarshipcoach.com, www.collegeboard.com, www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Full Tuition Scholarships
The Bill Gates Millennium Scholarships pay full undergrad, graduate, and doctoral tuition. To be eligible for the scholarship students must have high grades, and meet other eligibility criteria. For more information: www.GMSP.org or 1-877-690-4677. The yearly deadline for the application is December 31.
Colleges that Offer Free Tuition to Students Eligible for Financial Aid
Princeton, Harvard, Rice, Wesleyan, Williams, Davidson, University of Pennsylvania, Arizona State Univ., and the University of Virginia amongst others offer full tuition packages to students who are eligible for financial aid. Thus filling out the FAFSA forms should be a priority when starting the search for financial aid.
Colleges that Do Not Charge Tuition
Some colleges do not charge students tuition; they may only require students to work on campus. These colleges include: Cooper Union in New York City, College of the Ozark, Point Lookout, MO, and Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky.
Peace Corps & Americorps
College graduates who join the Peace Corps may erase 30% of their Perkins loan after a 2-year stint in the Peace Corp. www.peacecorps.gov.
Graduates who work in the Americorps will receive a $4725 education award per year of service. www.americorps.org.
Military Schools: No Tuition
Military schools are extremely competitive to get into but they offer free tuition and room and board. For more information:
Merchant Marine Academy: www.usmma.edu
Coast Guard Academy: www.cga.edu
Naval Academy: www.nadn.navy.mil
West Point: www.usma.edu
Air Force Academy: www.usafa.af.mil
Talent Contests to Win Scholarships
The Intel Science Talent Search is an annual contest that awards scholarships from $20,000 to $100,000. www.sciserv.org/sts
The VFW Voice of Democracy Audio Essay contest awards $1,000 and $25,000 scholarships. www.vfw.org.
The American Legion scholarship contest offers scholarships of $15,500 to $19,500 to students who win a speech contest. For information: American Legion Oratorical Contest, www.legion.org.
The Scholastic Art and Writing
contest scholarship is offered annually. www.scholastic.com/
Another Arts/Writing contest offers scholarships from $100 to $10,000. www.artawards.org.
Community Service Scholarships
Burger King offers scholarships to students who had to work during high school due to financial hardship. Students need at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible. www.burgerking.com.
Prudential Insurance offers the Spirit of Community Awards of $1,000 and $5,000 to students who perform public service. www.prudential.com.
Target offers a $1,000 and a $25,000 scholarship to students who have performed public service.
Other Scholarships
Elks: $1,000 Scholarship www.elks.org/enf
National Merit Scholarships: www.nationalmerit.org.
Coca-Cola offers a $20,000 scholarship. www.coca-colarscholars.org.
McDonalds: Gospel Fest Music Scholarships: www.McDonaldsNYmetro.com.
Axa Foundation Scholarship: $2,000, $10,000, $25,000 www.axaonline.com.
Walmart offers a $5,000 and a $25,000 scholarship. www.walmartfoundation.org.
Toyota Scholarships: www.toyota.com.
Horatio Alger Scholarships: www.HoratioAlger.com.
Also: Check with local banks to see if they offer any scholarships.