Jesus Leyva

                                                                                                                        English 250/260

College Finances

            Ever wonder where you’ll get the money for academic expenses and living cost? Then you’re not the only one asking yourself that question, or trying to make sense of it all. College tuition, books, dorm and board can become a financial challenge for any college student to handle their first year. The cost of college has risen in the past year; an increase most college students can’t afford. Most students find themselves having to work one or two jobs in order to keep up with incoming bills.

 There are different methods for paying college costs. Different programs exist to help those students who have the desire to pursue their academics, but have no financial means of getting there. For example, a scholarship pays for everything that a student may need in college, including books, tuition, room and board, and food. In order to obtain this free money, a student must pass certain tests that show beyond a doubt the student’s capacity to succeed in his or her field. Scholarships are earned through student merits. In order to qualify or apply for a scholarship, a student must write an essay on his academic plans. There may also be other requirements.

There are different types of scholarships that a student can apply for. For example, a person who plays baseball can play for his school and thus win a scholarship to pay for his classes and tuition at that particular university. Others include business, art, and community scholarships that help students with college costs.  Competition over these scholarships can be hard to win because the number of students that meet the requirements tends to be large.

 Winning a full scholarship to Stanford University was the ticket for my sister’s education plan. Having the time to focus on her studies was one of the most important things on her list because academics requirements demanded time. Not having to work while attending school was crucial to my sister’s success in completing her Master’s in electrical engineering, which was intense at some points; however, having that extra time for studies made all the difference she needed to complete her goal.

             Using all the resources we have at our disposal can make it easier to accomplish our studies toward our education. Going to the internet and doing some research can lead to financial help. There are thousands of special programs online that want to help students succeed in school; all it takes is some research on behalf of that one person to complete the required documents.  Those who want to attend college but have no means of paying for it should apply for financial aid at an early stage in the program. Signing a FAFSA Document at the financial aid office early improves your chances of getting some assistance for college fees. The extra money that comes from the government can be the difference between passing your classes or failing your classes because of inadequate time taken by your work schedule.

             When I started school at a local community college, the first thing I did was march myself straight into the financial aid office. I filled out a FAFSA document for financial aid assistance, which helped me pay for tuition and fees. The extra money that covered half my cost really made the difference in the amount of money that came out of my pocket. Having the extra money meant that I didn’t have to work longer hours at work in order to be able to pay for my academic bills.  With the help of family, friends and the financial aid office, all of my worries have come to rest. Now I can concentrate on what’s important, school.

             For the thousands of students who are around the table with their parent’s discussing the ways to pay for college and tuition, keep in mind that there are thousands of ways to pay for college. One resource that may be helpful for a student may not be as helpful for other students who may have different abilities in succeeding throughout school. Being a full-time student requires students to use any available resources in order to move forward successfully throughout college courses. Your finances play a big role in your education, but doing some research goes a long way in freeing yourself from financial restraints. Having the ability to concentrate on work-related studies rather than focusing on financial needs can be the difference between completing your education and staying frozen beneath your own feet.