College scholarships are a great way to help pay for education. However, not everyone qualifies for college scholarships. If you are among those who do not receive this type of assistance, don’t be discouraged, there are other programs available. As a matter of fact, there are a handful of other types of financial aid that may be able to help you pay for higher education expenses. So, here are a few things you should do if you do not receive a scholarship.
Fill Out a FAFSA
The free application for student aid, (FAFSA), should always be the first step for anyone considering college. This helps determine your eligibility for several forms of financial aid, including loans, grants, and scholarships that you may not have known about. Grants are similar to scholarships in the respect that they do not have to be paid back. The application is also required to obtain student loans or participate in the federal work study program. In a nutshell, the FAFSA is necessary to determine whether or not you can receive any type of federal funding.
Employer Sponsored Tuition Reimbursement
Some employers may offer tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance payments for their employees. This will vary by the individual employer and several factors may play a role. For example, assistance may be limited to a dollar amount, restricted to certain program types, or you may have to sign a contract agreeing to work for that particular employer for a specified period of time. The best way to find out about these types of programs is to speak directly with someone in the human resources department, as these programs can differ considerably.
Direct Payment Plans
One specific resource that may be commonly overlooked by students is the direct payment plans that are offered by many colleges and universities. This is often best for students who are ineligible for financial aid or receive limited aid and cannot afford to pay all of their tuition at once. Some institutions allow the student to set up a payment plan that lets them pay in increments throughout the term. Payments may be spread out monthly or over two to three payments during this period. Although it is not a loan, there are often fees associated with taking advantage of this type of plan and not every higher learning institution has this option.
Even though you don’t qualify for some scholarships, you can still be eligible for any of the above options. Scholarships are not the only way to pay for college and they certainly do not mean you should give up if you don’t receive any. Keep searching for other options and you’ll find a way to fund your education.
