Free Financial Today

In a world where healthcare and unemployment seem to top the list of Americans’ concerns, the rising cost of attending college isn’t far behind. But don’t let a shaky economy stand in the way of your dreams for your future. Instead, get smart when it comes to planning and don’t leave any stone unturned when it comes to looking for help. Here’s how:

1. Get an idea of costs involved. The internet has many sites with current tuition charts that will give you a realistic picture of how far your savings will take you. Remember to compare all of the public and private schools that you are interested in. You can also use the web to find financial aid calculators to see if your family might be eligible and estimate how much help you can expect to receive.

2. Cast a wide net when applying. Even if your savings balance isn’t enough to cover a high-end school, don’t let that prevent you from applying if your grades are up to par. Every college has a different amount of scholarship funding and financial aid packages. Send application materials to a variety of schools to see where the best offer might come from.

3. No matter how much money you have put together, look into financial aid. Period. You might be surprised at the help you can qualify for. Get your hands on a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and start the process right away. While every school requires different forms, the FAFSA is widely accepted.

4. Loans are still available. Don’t let the fact that there’s a nationwide credit crunch prevent you from applying for a student loan. The rates are better for you than they would be for your parents. Make sure that any loan that your family considers has a fair interest rate and no hidden terms.

If savings, financial aid, scholarships and student loans still don’t add up to enough to get you through a four-year program, keep brainstorming. For example, if you start at a local junior college or community college you could save money by living at home the first year and transferring later. Or, take the year after high school to work. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?

Mary Greene counsels students on choosing online colleges and online universities meeting their individual needs.