THE PRICE OF COLLEGE: SCHOLARSHIPS
Come on and try a ‘free ride’ By
LYNN LOFTON
ITH THE COST of college tuition increasing, the push is stronger for students to secure scholarships and grants. For best results, the search needs to start early during the high school years. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t land a full scholarship. There are ways of stacking financial aid, scholarships and grants – even the smallest dollar amounts can help. Scholarships are awarded on merit and grants are usually based on financial need. “Everyone talks about a ‘free ride’ but I’m not sure that’s realistic these days,” said Laura E. Driven-Brown, the University of Mississippi financial aid director “We see a lot of combinations of scholarships and grants.” This financial aid veteran offers the
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available, and we hold FAFSA following advice: » Check the official web(financial aid) workshops to e ic v d a e site of the college you plan Onlin assist students and parents to attend – or your favorite » fastweb.com with financial aid,” said Keri schools - for important Armstrong at Oak Grove High » ycg.org information. All schools School in Lamar County said. » cappex.com om .c tv ty si have the cost of attendance » That all-important Free er iv n » you m o .c online. “It’s a federal initiaApplication for Federal rs o aj » mym 1.com Student Aid (FAFSA) can be 10 rs tive that all colleges now are o aj m ge » colle required to have an online found at www.fafsa.ed.gov or ion.com » simpletuit tool for incoming freshmen, by calling toll free 800-801. » esfweb.com and this will include a net 0576. price calculator if the stu» Be aware that there are dent is receiving financial aid,” Drivenfederal grants such as Pell Grants and Brown said. state grants. Consult counselors and » Know deadlines at the college you financial aid and admissions offices for plan to attend. “They’re all different information. and a there’s a lot of preparation to be » Take the ACT and/or SAT multiple done,” she said. Talk to your parents times to get your scores up. about money, she said. » There are services to help find » Start with your high school counscholarships and financial aid. “Some of selor. “We offer assistance with college these charge fees, but we don’t recomapplications, guidance toward specific mend that,” Driven-Brown said. “Parents scholarships and financial aid that is and students have to be careful.”
the place to be.. successful >,::65 5(;*/,A :047:65
www.colin.edu Copiah-Lincoln Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or other factors prohibited by law in any of its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment practices.
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