Applying for merit based scholarships

Merit based scholarships are merit based, meaning that you have to do well in school to get them. You can get merit based scholarships for getting good grades, being in certain clubs, and even out of school activities like volunteering.

All of these types of scholarships must be applied for and you usually must apply for the separately. Each organization is going to want an application that specifically answers the questions that they are going to want to know to see if you even qualify for their scholarship. Companies like Coke and the famed Duct Tape scholarship have certain criteria that you must follow to get their money they are giving out for college.

Most high schools have information about all sorts of scholarships that you can apply for but, the best place to find scholarships based on specific activities that you are involved in is online scholarship search engines like Fastweb. These sites have great filters where you can put in all of your activities and it will return scholarship results that are tailored just for you.

Also, another good resource is the financial aid office at the college you wish to attend. They have many scholarships that they give out that you might not even know exist or you might be the only one that applies for it.

In short, yes, you must apply for all merit based scholarships for the college you want to attend.

How to get a CSS Profile Fee Waiver

The CSS Profile is a financial aid application that is used by some schools and scholarship programs to determine eligibility for certain type of financial aid.
This application is not to be mistaken with the FAFSA, which is the federal application.

The CSS Profile has fees involved with submission and fees depend on how many schools you wish to put on the application. There is a $25 fee for the application and it will cost $16 for each school you wish to send the application to.

If you have serious financial need you can get a CSS Profile Fee Waiver from the college board and possibly a CSS Profile payment code from the schools that you wish to attend if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

At the end of the profile application it will be determined if you are eligible to have your fee waived depending on the financial information you have put into the application. If you are eligible , the cost of the application will be automatically deducted from the total owed at the end.

Some colleges also offer payments codes that you can enter in the application so you do not have to pay the fee involved with that school. You must talk to the college directly to see if they have codes available for you. Most schools will give out codes based on financial need and it is possible that you need to fill out other paperwork with the school to determine eligibility.

FAFSA.com Scam

If you are reading this article, you probably got here by searching for FAFSA.com scam or something similar. I am here to provide the facts about so called FAFSA scams or paying someone to help you with the FAFSA.

Let's start out by talking about the word scam. A scam is an event that takes place in which a person or company takes money or information from you and gives you nothing in return and will not contact you or has not way for you to contact them.

IASG Grant

The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants are monies from the federal government set aside to help pay for college and university for students whose parent or guardian was killed in the line of duty while performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11.

The IASG Grant is the same amount as the Pell Grant, which is $5500 a year for students and can be renewed year after year.

There are certain eligibility requirements to receive this grant for college. You must not be already eligible for a federal Pell grant however, you must meet all other Pell grant requirements. Your parent or guardian was a active member of the military and was killed in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan as a result of military events since the events of 9/11 and the student must be under the age of 24 or have been in college at least part time at the time of the parent's or guardian's death.

This grant is just like other financial aid and it follows the same guidelines as regular federal aid so students must make sure they are following the satisfactory academic progress policy and all other federal financial aid guidelines to continue to get this grant. 

The IASG Grant application is the FAFSA and you must fill out this form to be eligible for any student aid. 

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work Study Program and Your Education

 A number of grants, loans and other programs exist to help you find the financing required for today's colleges and universities. However, one of the best programs is the Work Study program. There are both federal and non-federal works study programs; each offers similar benefits and operates on a similar basis. This program is designed to provide financial aid to students in financial need and can be combined with other options to create a comprehensive financial aid package. In fact, a Work Study program can be used successfully with both loans and grants.

US Scholarships for Canadian Students

Many Canadian students come down to the United States to attend school here and many have asked if they are eligible for financial aid. 

To be eligible for federal financial aid such as FSEOG, Pell Grant, and Stafford Loans, you must be a United States citizen. There is no way of getting around this rule and if you wish to get federal FAFSA aid, you must become a citizen. 

Arkansas Lottery Scholarships

The Arkansas Lottery has decided to do something very worthwhile with the lottery proceeds. All net proceeds from lottery sales in the state of Arkansas goes to education scholarships for college students. These scholarships can be used at all public and non-profit colleges in the state. They can be 2 or 4 year institutions of higher learning.

The TEACH Grant: Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education

The TEACH grant is an excellent opportunity for students who intend to pursue certain careers in education to receive free money for college from the United States government. This grant is offered in exchange for a commitment on the part of the student to teach later on provided they meet all eligibility requirements. And because the federal TEACH program carries serious financial considerations with it, students should learn as much about this type of federal grant prior to filling out an application via the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Direct Student Loan Program: Aid Offered Via the FDSLP

The Federal Direct Student Loan Program or FDSLP is one of the most significant educational funding efforts ever undertaken. The program offers various types of aid to help students pay for the costs of college and other types of schools. Nearly all programs available through the FDSLP require that a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid be filled out in order to determine eligibility. The Federal Direct Student Loan Program provides federal aid as detailed below:

The Federal Stafford Loan: 8 Things You Should Know About the Stafford Loan

The Federal Stafford Loan was created with the intent to help all Americans achieve their higher education goals. These loans and many other types of US government funding for school are made available to students who fill out a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There’s a lot to this comprehensive form and a great deal to the Stafford loan as well, so taking a look at these 8 primary points of consideration will help immensely prior to completing the FAFSA.