Successfully Finding Financial Aid for College

Many parents and students are already looking for financial aid for the 2002-2003 academic year. With planning and careful research, applicants will successfully find financial aid available from many sources in a variety of types.

A college education is a necessity for anyone hoping to meet the challenges in our rapidly changing world. Years ago, the majority of employers expected workers to have a high school diploma. Today a college degree is considered a minimum requirement for most well-paying jobs. In fact, according to a recent study, a college education nets graduates from $250,000 to $500,000 more during their working years than nongraduates.

As college costs have increased dramatically over the last decade, paying for a college education has become one of the greatest financial challenges for many families. In fact, the cost of a 4-year education at many private colleges is approaching the median price of a single-family house in the United States.

Successful financial aid applicants generally tend to be well organized, thorough, prepared and careful. Unfortunately, with college costs continuing to climb, parents and students working to pay their tuition bills may find themselves unwittingly falling prey to scholarship and financial aid scams.

The College Financing Guide is intended to be a good first stop when preparing for college, choosing the right school, and researching financial aid opportunities. The Guide helps dispel some of the myths about financial aid and gives an extensive resource list.

The Guide will enable you to learn about the available student loan programs and estimate the cost of a college education. Funding alternatives and strategies will be discussed. You will also learn about setting spending goals and tax breaks for college. We hope it proves to be an enjoyable learning experience for you.