PC(USA) - Financial Aid for Studies -


	Tips for preparing for college

	Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as you can after January 1. The FAFSA is used to apply for state and federal student aid. File online at the FAFSA Web site.


	Have you taken the SAT or ACT? For information or to register online, visit this Web site.


	Talk with your guidance counselor, who is an excellent resource and can tell you about financial aid in general and where to find it.


	Make sure you are taking the right courses to get into the school you want to attend.


	Make good grades.


	Summer jobs, internships, or co-op will boost your college application.


	Learn about student loans. Most students will have to take out loans to pay for college. You need to make sure you get the least expensive loans you can. That means you need to learn some terms and comparisons. What are origination fees? Can the interest rate be reduced because of on-time payment history? Is there a reduction in the interest rate of automatic payment?


	Which college you choose will depend on how you answer questions such as: Do I want to be close to home? Do I want the greater choices at a large university or the personal environment of a smaller school? What school has the best program in the major I’m interested in? Do I want to start at a community college to get the basics out of the way first? How much can my family and I afford to spend on my education?


	Pay attention to application deadlines for admissions, scholarships, grants, and loans.


	The Admissions Essay: If you are able to pick the topic yourself, write something that shows who you are. Give the reader insight into your thoughts and abilities, and that will make the officer say “We want this student on our campus.”


	Visit Web sites for free information about college, financial aid, and careers.


	Apply, apply, and apply. There are scholarships available. The more you apply for financial aid, the better your chances of getting enough to pay for college. Make sure you meet all deadlines.



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