For high school seniors this is the time of year the pressure is on to answer the big question. What is the next step after high school? For a number of seniors this question will be answered by continuing their education, which is followed by another big question. How am I going to pay for my education? On average one year of college tuition to a four year school plus fees will cost $27,000. College students can help lower that hefty price by applying for scholarships.
Scholarships can provide students with free money for college that doesn't need to be paid back, unlike student loans that often come with high interest rates and could lead to years of debt. Different types of scholarships students can apply for are academic, financial, sport, or club/member based.
An obstacle many students may come across during their college application preparations is where to find available scholarships. Students should first look into any local scholarships offered through the community. These scholarships have less competition and applicants increasing a student's chance of receiving the reward. Typical community organizations that offer such scholarships include banks, grocery stores, clubs, local businesses, and churches.
Another great resource students should utilize during their scholarship search is their high school guidance counselor. The guidance counselor has access to tons of scholarship information and can aide students during their search by introducing different web searches and programs students themselves may not be aware of. Seniors should also look into state offered scholarships. State scholarships have more competition than local scholarships, but the reward is often larger.
Tips to follow when applying for college scholarships:
- Most scholarships have early deadlines, so seniors should not wait too long before starting their search.
- Students should read over the scholarship requirements carefully to make sure they are eligible.
- Never apply for a scholarship that requires a payment fee. These scholarships are company scams.
- Follow instructions carefully and students should proofread, proofread, and proofread. One small mistake or error could lead to a denied application.
- Most scholarships require high GPA's so students should make sure to keep their grades up.
- Students who are active in school activities and clubs often have a better chance of receiving a scholarship reward.
student loans and medical school?
I am a high school student as of now and will be attending a 4 year college pretty soon. I will major in chemistry and after four years I will hopefully attend a medical school. So my question is if I take student loans for the first four years, will I have to pay them back when i get my chemistry degree or can I wait till I finish medical school? Also is it possible for me to take loans for all eight years or not?
Answer
You can wait until you finish graduate school to pay back your loans. The loans will be deferred because you're still in school/ taking classes, etc. And yes, it's possible to take out loans for all 8+ years. All of us pre-meds are looking at being 300-400K+ in debt.. unless you get a scholarship or grants.
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