Scholarships and Financial Aid

You've found a school - now how to pay for it?  This is a huge question for all students.  

Keep in mind that you've saved so much money by attending Montgomery College that spending more for the last two years will be worth it.  Think about others you know who have paid full price for all four years - you've been able to keep costs low while enjoying the atmosphere of a small college with teachers who KNOW and care about you at bargain rates.  So even if the school where you'll earn your degree costs quite a bit more, it could even out to what you might have paid to go away to school from the very start at a public institution.

Apply for financial aid.  If you applied, using the FAFSA, and didn't get any aid from Montgomery College, that doesn't mean that you won't qualify for aid at a more expensive school.  Apply to find out - it's free.  Many scholarships that are NOT need-based at 4-year schools still require that you file a FAFSA.  Check the Financial Aid page of every school that you're applying to for details.  Bottom line:  have your parental unit go through the agony of filling out the FAFSA to see whether you may qualify for any aid.

The FAFSA becomes available every January 1 to apply for aid for the upcoming (Sept - May) school year.  March 1 is a typical suggested deadline to file a FAFSA, using income tax information from the previous year. If that tax information is not available, file a FAFSA anyway, estimating based on previous tax years.  

Not sure which school you'll transfer to?  Have your FAFSA report sent for free to as many schools as you like when you file your form - if you don't follow up with an application for admission at some of the schools, no harm done.

MOST scholarship programs require that you file a FAFSA, even if you know in advance that your family may not qualify for monies based on need.  Do this important step.

It isn't necessary to accept the first financial aid package offer as the final offer.  If there are unusual circumstances to your situation, you need to let the Financial Aid office of the school(s) that interest you know about them.  Perhaps your family's income information has changed since filing the FAFSA, or YOUR income information has changed - this is worth bringing to the Financial Aid Office's attention in writing. Even something as simple as saying "Are you sure this is all I qualify for?" is worth saying. 

If you don't qualify for aid based on financial need, check out education loans offered by local banks.  The financial aid office of the institution you want to attend should be able to help you with this process.  Here is a list of local lenders offering education loans - SHOP for the best deal.  

Credit unions also often have good loan programs for students - look into them!

$$$$  Scholarships - Do the Work to Find the Money  $$$$$

Students often want to make an appointment with a transfer counselor to be told how to apply for scholarships.  The very first step is to learn to investigate possibilities on your own.  Please read, and follow through, on the following suggestions, before requesting an appointment with a counselor:

Make yourself as attractive as possible to organizations and colleges that offer scholarships.  This is something that starts from Freshman Day One when you come to Montgomery College.  Click here for some pointers.

Scour the Montgomery College's Transfer Scholarship Page to search for opportunities.  There's a substantial amount of information there - click on every link to check out every possibility.  This is a weeks-long process - take the time to search thoroughly.  Even a $200 grant is money in your pocket.

The Financial Aid Page of each transfer school you're considering is a great source of information for SCHOLARSHIPS.   UMCP's is a good example:  http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/Scholarships/ ; look at other schools for additional ideas.

Watch the MC Scholarship Page, MC Bulletin Boards, MyMC, and local newspapers for scholarship notices.  Finding that free money is WORK that can really pay off.  Don't arrive at a counselor's office and expect to be told about every opportunity - you need to do the digging on your own!  Come to us with complex questions after you've started the research on your own.  Best wishes to you!