Clovis West senior Jessica Brooks already knows which college she'll be going to this fall. She just doesn't know how she'll afford it: "Even though it's a local school, it's still much more expensive than I thought it was going to be."
So after school, in addition to hours of homework, she spends hours looking and applying for scholarships: "So if you have to write an essay for English class and you also have to write an essay for a scholarship deadline that's a week away, it's like so much to do at once."
But that kind of persistence literally "pays off" says Clovis North's scholarship coordinator Kerince Sayachak. High school guidance counselors like Sayachak are one of the best resources to begin the search for financial aid.
She recommends preparing as early as freshman year because getting good grades is essential: "Just focus on the academic piece, and we will try to help you figure out the financial aid piece."
The internet has changed the way students can find aid. Try free search services like www.collegeboard.com, www.fastweb.com ,www.zinch.com and www.scholarships.com to narrow down what to apply and what you qualify for--just don't ever pay for those services.
Clovis North learning director Carol Shanahan helped start a web-based college tool for Clovis Unified called "Naviance" www.naviance.com She explained, "You can see what kind of financial packages schools have, what kind of scholarships they offer. And then it's really up to them and follow through."
She says competition for money for college is tougher than ever thanks to the recession and many colleges raising tuition.
Add to tuition...room and board, and books... And Fresno State now costs $19,639 over 4 years.
Maria Hernandez, Fresno State's Director of Financial Aid: "If you're coming from a low income family that maybe that's the family income. You know. It could be extremely high, and very scary." Hernandez says don't let numbers intimidate you. 60% of Fresno State's student body is on some form of financial aid.
The first and most important step in qualifying for financial aid is to fill out a FAFSA form, the "free application for federal student aid" at www.fafsa.ed.gov March 2nd is the deadline and FAFSA is the gateway to all aid, including grants. Cal grants and Pell grants are free money...that doesn't have to be repaid.
Another tip: anyone with extenuating circumstances--for example, childcare issues or a long commute--should meet in person with the school's financial counselors. That's what Steve Fields did.
He is studying information technology at Heald College: "I didn't know they were available, so I was surprised. When I came here I found out that they would help me and with the financial aid and student loans, I'm able to go to school and support myself right now."
The college's President Carolyn Pierce says money should never be a reason not to go to school: "We try to give out over 80-thousand dollars in scholarships to high school seniors each year and we still have scholarships that go unused."
Many private schools like Stanford have their own financial aid... Including waiving the $36,000 a year tuition for students whose families make less then $100,000 a year.
When all else fails consider low-interest student loans. Even though the average graduate leaves college with over $19,000 in debt... educators say it should be considered not a cost, but an investment that pays off in the long run. The federal tax benefits for higher education can also be significant. Taxpayers with an income of less than $80,000 can subtract up to $2500 a year of college costs from the federal tax owed.
