Paying For College
It is important to think about how to pay for college and invest in your future. Your education is the most important investment you can make. Education beyond high school can give you choices that may not otherwise be possible, open doors to better paying jobs and careers, and give you the opportunity to do the things that you enjoy most. By carefully preparing yourself for a career, you are establishing yourself for the future of your choice.
Every dollar you save is a dollar you don't need to borrow and pay back with interest. Save money you earn during the summer to put towards your college costs…it's never too early to start saving for your future! You are probably thinking that the earnings from your summer jobs will never be enough to put you through college, right? That is most likely the case and this is where financial aid comes in. Financial aid programs come in several different forms and they help many students pursue different courses of study:
- Grants and scholarships (also known as "gift" aid). These do not have to be repaid. Scholarships may be based on need or on a student's academic performance or special talents.
- Work-study (also known as "self-help" aid). Students earn wages that may be applied to the cost of college or be used for personal expenses.
- Loans (another form of "self help" aid). Students and/or parents borrow low-interest loans that must be repaid. Loans are sometimes necessary, but should always be a last resort.
You may want to work with your parents to review numbers with budget calculators for additional planning help. Below is a list of useful sites:
College Board's College Financing Calculator
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/401.html
Compare your College Award Letters
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-awards/compare-aid-calculator
Aid for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
http://studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/intellectual-disabilities
