Monday, November 14, 2016

FAQ How Do I Find Scholarships?/ Can I Really Save Money by Choosing to Stay In-state for College?

1. How do I find scholarships?

-When it comes to looking for scholarships, there are many options where you can start your search. A simple option can be going to the college and career center and meeting with a counselor. They can show you which scholarships you are more likely to qualify for rather than just ones that offer the most money. Many websites offer a search engine to narrow down scholarships that you meet the requirements for, such as fastweb.com or cappex.com. Many local organizations offer scholarships to students in the area, such as the Pan American Association or PTSA. A parent’s place of employment may also offer a grant or scholarship. Although the process may seem tedious, there are many scholarships out there and it’s worth the search.

2. Can I really save money by choosing to stay in-state for college?

   - Depending on the school you are looking to attend, staying in state can definitely save you money. By staying in-state, you aren’t paying an out-of-state tax that is a part of your total bill. Using Arizona State University as an example, someone paying the in-state tuition would be paying $26,263 per year for tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and other expenses. Someone attending the same university but coming from another state would be paying $42,363 for the exact same things. Other factors can also cause an increase in price of attending an in-state college vs. out-of-state college. Coming home for the holidays multiple times a year will result in an added price that you probably wouldn’t be paying if you lived near home. Also, some states offer more for your money than others, whether it is entertainment or grocery items, which can cause an increase in spending. Of course there are some exceptions, such as private schools which are generally more expensive, and scholarships being used. However, for the most part, staying in-state for college is cheaper and can really save you money. 

4 comments:

  1. I feel like that's true. If you stay in state it's a little cheaper that going to a different state college. Then you also got to remember that financial aid can help lower the price of materials. Along with the scholarships I feel that it does help to hear from a student as to where you can information on scholarship or just in general as to where you can search for ones.

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  2. There are many scholarship opportunities for everyone. I agree that fastweb.com and cappex.com are good sites to search. Another helpful source is our naviance accounts. It is important to always search for scholarships because new ones are always coming up. Also, some require essays or responses and it’s a good idea to see the prompt in advance to have time to write. I agree that going to an out of state college is more expensive. Especially, since you have to pay extra for living arrangements and transportation. Staying local can help students save a lot of money.

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  3. There are so many ways to find scholarships! Fastweb.com is one that I have been told was a great source, by numerous teachers and counselors. Also, you could just simply search up "scholarships" and I guarantee that you will find at least 2 that will suite what you are looking for. Always be careful when signing up for scholarships, though they may all seem legit, there are some false websites that are scams.

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  4. I think that if you stay in state for college, it will save you a lot of money. However, this should not be something that keeps you from going out of state. It all comes down to which college experience you truly desire, and if it is out of state, there are always the financial aid options and scholarships available.

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