You guys have never let me down...

**lwlynch** · 09-20-2008, 10:56 AM

I am now overwhelmed with the idea of my child wanting to go to college next year. We did a senior meeting and they just tell you what you need and that is about it.. Internet.. is there answer...
So I need to definately find some scholarship money....
I understand the gov...thing to do in Jan. and the hope.
But the scholarship thing is confusing all these websites.
Anyone know where I should look...
or maybe slowly give me a baby step to start with.. Just don't want to miss any opportunities she might have..
All she wants to do is become a teacher...geeee and it has to be soooo complicated...
Any help is appreciated..
thanks in advance

**missyali** · 09-20-2008, 11:07 AM

Definitely fill out the FAFSA form. Then, call the college's financial aid office and see where they can direct you. Have dd talk to the guidance counselor at her high school. Have you thought about looking at Post Secondary? Our state will pay for high school juniors & seniors to go to college their last two years of high school and earn college & high school credit simultaneously. ex; my friend's dd went to our local community college for her jr. & sr. years of high school and she graduate high school with an associates degree (plus earned her diploma). The state paid for those two years ~ EVERYTHING; books & tuition. She then went to her "choice" college and completed her major requirements as she had already finished her core subjects. 2 years of college free! Best of luck!

**larabelle** · 09-20-2008, 11:10 AM

My niece is in Kansas and she states the state of Kansas needs teachers so badly until they are willing to pay 100% of her college tuition and fees if she majors in education and works in a teacher shortage area for four years. Ironically her city is one of the shortage areas so she is THRILLED and so are her parents. You might look into this.

**Cricketlegs** · 09-20-2008, 12:40 PM

Yes, I have heard that states work with kids who go to school to be teachers. The FAFSA website is brimming with info.

Also, if you are under a certain amount of income she can qualify for the Pell Grant(we didn't) and that is a grant and NOT a loan.

Lost of groups give money to future teachers. Also, remember to get a great SAT score!

**GardenerWannabe** · 09-20-2008, 01:06 PM

We found the best scholarships were local.

We had not luck with internet scholarships, and the essays they required for submission ended up being a full time job to keep up with for the poor kids.

Your high school should have most all the information on scholarships your child will be eligble for in your area and their interest or intended study major.

We currently have 2 in college, a freshman and junior. Good Luck! Keeping up with the college search and scholarships will be a full time job for you!

**LuvMyHubby** · 09-20-2008, 01:13 PM

Definately apply for the fafsa as quickly as possible in January/February. Not only could she qualify for the pell grant but that is how a lot of state supplemental grants are awarded plus loans and work study.

Scholarships: Online is okay but the guidance office at the high school or even you local libraray should have a list of local scholarships to apply for, even the small ones add up. Many local scholarships are done under a memorial to someone, or women's organizations specifically targeted toward a specific cause or just someone who live in a certain town, etc.

If she has one or two schools in mind or if she has already been accepted, make an appointment for both of you to go to the financial aid officer (they say that is what they are there for, make them prove it) and see what the school has for in house scholarships as well as a list of any other scholarships that have been applied for by students. Let her do some of the question asking and talking, we were told during college fairs that schools like to see that students can take an interest in all aspects of their education and can work to handle things on their own.

In the end there may still be a small balance that even the best financial aid package doesn't cover. DD's school was very generous in a payment plan and also once you get the hang of what may be left over to pay, it will be easier to space out payments throughout the school year so that it doesn't come down like a hammer at one time.

There are a lot of scholarships for first time students but it is a bit of work to get the essays and references and any other specific requirements.

Good for your daughter for wanting to be a teacher. It may be a bit tough for freshman year but trust me it does get much easier after that.

**missyali** · 09-20-2008, 02:01 PM

Also, check with your local teacher's union. We offer a $1000 scholarship to kids going into teaching.

**elphaba** · 09-20-2008, 02:44 PM

Check out Fastweb. There's tons of info that I think you'll find very helpful.

**Mom23boys** · 09-20-2008, 03:31 PM

Definately fill out the FAFSA in Janurary!

In the meantime, get on the Internet and search yourself. A few good websites are:
http://www.fastweb.com - this site will do a complete search for you!
http://finaid.com
http://www.collegeboard.com

Make contact with all three departments (Admissions, Housing, and Financial Aid) at the college or colleges that you are investigating.

ØApply for admissions (usually a non-refundable fee),
ØApply for housing (usually a refundable deposit required--the money will be returned to you if you change your mind within a reasonable amount of time),
ØApply for financial aid directly with the college (the first step to this is the FAFSA form). Many colleges have a financial aid application that needs to be completed.

Also, contact the financial aid office at the college(s) of your choice to see if they have a financial aid workshop planned that you can attend.

**Lady_V** · 09-20-2008, 03:32 PM

An ex-bf's brother made a deal with the State of Alaska (this was years ago, I don't know if it still applies) but they paid for his tuition in exchange, he had to work in Alaska (as a teacher) for 4 years, they also gave him housing. It was a small house, but it was free. He was able to save enough money to move back to Massachusetts when his commitment was done.

While looking for any place else that offers deals like that, I found an article from 2006 (clicky click)

**shoiji** · 09-20-2008, 07:23 PM

Also try the library. They have books listing different types of scholarships. Don't be afraid to go the community college route also. It may end up cheaper in the long run.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-20-2008, 09:19 PM

If teaching is FOR SURE the career of choice... I'd say go for the TEACHGrant.

**justpeachy92** · 09-20-2008, 10:02 PM

Georgia has a scholarship called Promise Teacher Scholarship. It offers up to $3000 each year in exchange for teaching in that state for each year you receive the scholarship money. Another thing to consider is doing the first 2 years at a community college, to meet the core requirements and then transfer to a 4 year college. There might be 4 year colleges that have programs like I am doing.

**Edna_E** · 09-22-2008, 05:55 PM

Talk to you HS's guidance department - they are usually a great resource for local scholarships. FAFSA tends to be the original document on which all "need-based" scholarships/funds are given, but there are many organizations that have scholarships ranging from $100 to several thousand, and sometimes their requirements are surprising - like "must be a first-time college student majoring in education at Fill-in-the-blank University and who has been active in zither playing" Sometimes they are extremely specific, and sometimes they are very general, but a lot go unclaimed because nobody applied. So, finding several and applying can net you several thousand even if you don't think you are a great applicant, just because you ARE an applicant.

**Telephus44** · 09-22-2008, 08:28 PM

Also, depending on what your daughter is looking at for college in terms of price - you may not want to bother with scholarships. I went to a very pricey private school, and qualified for lots of financial aid - and every scholarship I was awarded simply reduced the amount of financial aid they gave me. So it really didn't do me any good, and I figured I was "taking" the money from someone who could use it (say if they were paying their own way without financial aid). I only applied for one, for students from my specific county going to the specific school I went to, and I still didn't get it (was only of only 6 qualified applicants, go figure). After I found out that it really wouldn't affect me, I realized it was more of a waste of my time.