One of the best investments you can make in your life is to pay for university or college. But, as you know, it is also one of the most expensive investments. Because of this, you need to plan your finances well before you go to the college of your choice. You will need to make a budget and think about everything, not just tuition but also how much it will cost you to live. Budgeting isn't always enough, though, and that's when federal grants come into play.
- What's the difference between a grant and a scholarship?
The biggest difference between a grant and a scholarship is that a scholarship comes with a lot more rules than a grant. Grants and scholarships are not like loans in that you don't have to pay them back when you're done with school. Also, scholarships are given out for specific academic or athletic achievements, while grants are mostly given out based on financial need.
- Getting a better chance
There are a few things you can do to make it more likely that you can get help with money. The first and most important thing you can do is to do well in school. If you do well in school, you might be able to get a scholarship, and you also have a much better chance of getting into the college of your choice.
- Grants Save the Day
What if you aren't as smart as those other students? How will you get into college without having to spend a lot of money? College students who need money to pay for school can get it from the government. This is called the FAFSA, which stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a type of grant that looks at how well your family can pay its bills. You can fill out an FAFSA form at your school or at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov, the FAFSA website. Everyone should do this, not just students who are having trouble with money. This will cut down a lot on how much you have to pay for college and make things easier for your parents.
- Get ready with the following information
- Number for Social Security
- Most recent W-2 forms and other proof of income.
- Your parents' Federal Income Tax Return.
- Permanent Resident Card if you are not an American citizen.
- Drivers licence
