Financial Aid Action Plan
Back to Getting Ready 

Assemble the information

Construct a Plan

Talk to your Financial Aid Office

Inform Yourself

Organize the Process

Next Step

Assemble the Information & Construct a Plan

  • Researching Financial Aid can be overwhelming, but with good organizational skills and an ACTION PLAN, it’s not impossible.

Talk to your Financial Aid Office

  • Contact ALL the schools you’ve chosen.
  • Talk to a Financial Aid Officer, either on the phone or in person.
  • Write down the name and title of who you’re speaking with (in case you need to call again)
  • Ask About Deadlines
  • Ask about Loans vs. Scholarships
  • Are there any School Specific Scholarships?
  • How does the school treat undocumented students?

Inform Yourself

Find the right scholarship for you:
Resources to use

  • College Office or Career Center
  • Library
  • Online
  • Mail a request

Organize the Process

Make Detailed Notes 

  • Note Cards

FRONT
Name of Scholarship:
Address:
Phone Number:
Contact Person:
Deadline:
Scholarship Requirements:
   BACK
Application Materials:
Contact Details:

 

Make Lists with deadlines and target dates or use a calendar. Get started early on planning! 

  • Name of Scholarship
  • Scholarship Due Date
  • Target Date
  • Date You'll hear back

Tips for sending out applications 

  • Put your name and social security number in the top corner of each page on your application
  • Make copies of your application
  • Send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) along with your application
  • Ask the post office for a certificate of mailing

Next Step

When You Receive Offers:

  • Carefully read all letters and notices received from colleges and federal organizations.
  • Sign and return ALL forms, indicating whether you are accepting or rejecting the award.
  • You don’t have to accept the WHOLE student aid package. Decide what you REALLY need. Remember that your grants portion will not increase because you decline the loan portion, so choose carefully.
  • Be aware of the Federal Work Study (FWS) option.
  • Remember that your award may change if your financial situation changes. Keep the Financial Aid Office aware of any changes.

Online Financial Resources
Here are some internet resources that can be a helpful start on your search for Financial Aid. They are by no means the ONLY sources to check, and we encourage you to seek more opportunities for information and aid. It is important to remember that you should NEVER pay for scholarship information. These web sites may ask you to provide personal information or register to use the sites. If you register, your email address may be given out to advertisers. Remember to never give out your social security number online.

 

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Websites:



*FinAid!:www.FinAid.org

*International Education Financial Aid: www.IEFA.org

*Scholarships.com www.Scholarships.com

*The Scholarship Page www.Scholarship-Page.com

*Scholarships for Hispanics www.ScholarshipsForHispanics.org

*Scholarship Resource Network Express   www.srnexpress.com/index.cf

The local public library will be a fabulous resource in your quest for financial aid. Not only can you find books, you can also talk to the resource librarian and use the internet. Many of the titles listed below will need to be used at the library, so remember to bring a note cards or a notebook to take notes.

Books:

  • How to Go to College Almost for Free
    by Ben Kaplan
  • The Scholarship Book 2003: The Complete Guide to Private-Sector Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants and Loans for the Undergraduate
    by National Scholarship
  • The College Board Scholarship Handbook 2003
    by The College Board
  • Kaplan Scholarships 2003
    by R. David Weber, Douglas Bucher, And Gail Ann Schlachter
  • Get Free Cash for College
    by Kelly Y. Tanabe and Gen S. Tanabe
  • A Is for Admission: The Insider’s Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top College
    by Michele A. Hernandez
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