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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 bachelor’s 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
the deadline for all Maryland state aid. The FAFSA uses 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 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.
SCOUR
the Financial Aid pages at each school you’re considering for more
information.
$$$$
Scholarships - Do the Work to Find the Money $$$$$
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!
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