Harper College will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Day.
Some days, we can feel trapped by our financial circumstances. Driving past that dream house with the “For Sale” sign in the yard, knowing there’s no way to afford it with your current household income. Telling yourself repeatedly that this will be the year you finally take that vacation, only to be overwhelmed by bills and unexpected medical expenses. But when it comes to paying for college, you can feel trapped no longer. Regardless of your financial situation, plenty of support options are availableand accessible. Let’sexplore some of your choices.
Acronyms in the financial world can be scary, but this is one of the good ones. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form completed by current and prospective college students (undergraduate and graduate) in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. In addition to the form itself, the FAFSA website includes a student aid estimator and a guide for understanding how financial aid works.
Donor-sponsored scholarships are funded by private donors and allow individual student needs to be met through annually funded or endowed named scholarships. No strings attached — just goodwill from generous people who want to see you succeed in college and beyond.
Institutional scholarships recognize students who exhibit academic excellence, artistic talent, strong leadership skills, or service to their communities. External scholarships are awarded by community organizations, workplaces, faith institutions, local businesses, and more. Online scholarships are abundant and can be searched and applied for on websites like Appily and CareerOneStop.
Students can earn money to be used for paying educational costs through Federal Work Study positions, which are funded by the federal government and are awarded based on financial need, and Student Aide opportunities, which allow you to have a job on campus and can work around your class schedule.
Can’t believe your eyes when you see the cost of your tuition? The good news is you don’t have to pay for it all at once. Setting up a simple payment plan to fit your budget and needs lets you focus on your studies without the burden of wondering how you’re going to pay for it. Harper offers an interest-free monthly payment plan and other ways to use financial aid and multiple payers on your account.
To all veterans: Thank you for your service. Now, let your college serve you. Benefits are available to all veterans and military-connected students (active duty, reservists, veterans, and eligible dependents), including scholarships and application fee waivers.
When your academic or professional skills improve, your current company or employer also benefits from that improvement. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer any tuition reimbursement benefits. Whether it covers a textbook, a single class, or an entire semester, every little bit helps on your road to completion.
As you can see, there are many ways to pay for college based on your personal situation, so don’t pass up these opportunities to help you achieve your dreams. Have further questions? Contact Harper College One Stop to connect with the people and resources you need to get you started and in the right direction.
Source: Federal Student Aid, Appily, CareerOneStop
Originally Published Sep 16, 2019
