Recieve More Financial Aid

Last year over $152 billion dollars were given away in grants from the government and other organizations for college students. So how to you get you share of the money?

1. Apply Now

Don't put this off until it is too late. Financial aid goes to those who ask for it first so if you wait you might miss your chance to get free money. The very first thing you should do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You might have to check with the college you are attending or are planning to attend for some needed information. The FAFSA is used by many college and private college in deciding the college students financial aid that he gets.

Many people believe they will not receive any financial aid but you should fill out the FAFSA anyway. It has been proven that eight million students missed out on receiving aid from the government and this even includes 1.5 million who have qualified for Pell Grants.

Filling out the FAFSA is the basics step for qualifying for many non-need based loans, such as Stafford Loans that have very low interest rates unlike private loans.

2. Check With Your State

Checking with your state can also be an option as they have tons of money going towards bettering there state. During 2004 to 2005 college students received $7.9 billion in financial aid from their state. These came in forms of grants and scholarships that were based on merit and financial need.

The first step is to fill out the FAFSA and then contact the appropriate state forms. Click here to find your state's programs.

3. Start Your Begging

Writing a paper on your financial situation might not help solve your money problem so let's try something else.Melissa Diana, a financial aid consultant who runs the Web site Tuition Physician, recommends writing a letter to the financial aid office detailing any situation, such as a future hospital stay, which will affect your budget in the following year. You need to tell the financial aid offices that future events will hinder your ability to afford college as they only know information form last year.

Even after you receive your financial aid letter you can appeal your case as more colleges will give money if they know you are accepted and are considering attending. This could be your way to get some more money for college if you are accepted into these programs.

4. Scholarship Search

The majority of financial aid is given out in grants and loans but scholarships can help you as well pay for your college tuition. There is more than $15 billion available for you in scholarships but you will never get it unless you apply for it. Start off at FastWeb.com as I believe they are one of the very best scholarship searchers online.

5. Best Loan Search

Loans make up about half of all financial aid but it is very important to be very careful on what loans to take out and who from as they can come out to be thousands more than the actual loan. Taking the time and searching out the very best loans with your college and yourself is the safest way to go when looking for student college loans.

Have a great day and God bless!