Financial Aid
Researching Scholarships
IN YOUR COMMUNITY…
- Inquire about scholarships available through your local community by contacting your: high school guidance counselor, chamber of commerce, church, employer, civic groups, library, etc.
- Beware of “scam artists” promising “free money for college” and charging for their services. Legitimate companies never guarantee scholarships or grants!
- Beware of financial aid consultants charging for their services. At a private Christian college you will be able to get clear guidance on financial aid matters from your Admissions Counselor and the Financial Aid Office Staff. We want your student to attend our school. (Think of your Admissions Counselor as your “advocate” on our campus. They are here to help you and they are really fun people to know!)
ON THE WEB…
The web has fast become one of the preferred tools for college-bound students to begin the college planning process. Take advantage of the web to gather valuable information to assist in your college choice decision, to learn more about college financing options and to begin the required application procedures.
When investigating the scholarship money available through foundations
and corporations, beware of any organization that asks you to pay
a fee to help you “find” funds. You can apply for free
online at:
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.wiredscholar.com
http://www.collegenet.com
http://www.scholarships.com
http://www.college-scholarships.com
http://www.schoolsoup.com
There are several web sites that offer scholarship searches and/or
information for minority students:
http://www.hsf.net
http://www.hispanicfund.org
http://www.srnexpress.com
http://www.gmsp.org
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/natamind.phtml
The government has established a web site that includes information
on colleges and financial aid for Americans with disabilities:
http://www.disabilities.gov
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
– has “links” to other sites:
http://www.nasfaa.org
The Sallie Mae web site offers a free scholarship search, information
about student Stafford and parent PLUS loans, an alternative loan program,
as well as a student loan repayment calculator:
http://www.salliemae.com
FinAid page offers a variety of sections relating to financial aid
issues including the Taxpayer Relief Act (new tax credits), saving for
college calculators, and scholarship sources:
http://www.finaid.org
Access America for Students offers a government-wide web portal that
makes it easy for college students to find any kind of federal service
or information needed. This “one-stop-shop” gives students
access to information about financial aid, career development, and education
planning:
http://www.students.gov
Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) estimator:
http://www.collegeboard.com/paying