As a first-generation student (in the United States), my knowledge of financial aid was limited before starting college. My mother did a college program in El Salvador and was a teacher for 15 years. But college in the United States is quite different. For one, it is a whole lot more expensive.
My family is lower middle class with three children, so my parents did what they could to make ends meet. I remember going with them after school as they cleaned offices once they clocked off their day jobs.
My siblings did not go to college, so I researched independently. I made many mistakes, but I did learn some valuable lessons along the way. Luckily, resources are available for students who may need a little extra help understanding how college works. Here are a few tips to help you be financially successful during your college career.
Community college: Let’s face it, most 17- and 18-year-olds don’t know what they want to do with the rest of their lives, and why should they? Luckily, you can take the same core curriculum at a community college as you can at a four-year institution. The best part is that it’s much cheaper. Get statistics and English out of the way, and it will even buy you some time to decide what field you want to study.
Scholarships and grants: There are scholarships available for just about everything. You don’t have to play sports to get some extra money to help ease your student loan debt. Minority students have many opportunities for scholarships and grants.
Apply Early: Just like applying to college, you need to apply early for financial aid. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you are at the front of the line. Filling out a financial aid application can be tedious, so give yourself enough time to go over every detail to ensure you are filling it out correctly.
Summer Job: On top of making money to save for college, a summer job can provide some extra funds toward your tuition. Companies like Amazon and Capital One offer tuition reimbursement if you keep your grades above a specific benchmark. This is an excellent way to help take some of that financial weight off your shoulders.
Being a student is already stressful, but don’t let money prevent you from shining academically. Focus on your grades because that will also help you take advantage of financial assistance programs. Some companies will help you pay for school if you keep your grades up. Do your research and find all the resources available to you.
Here’s a list of upcoming scholarships and grants that you can apply for.
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not require repayment. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Please visit studentaid.gov
The Women’s History Scholarship aims to assist a female-identifying high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a $500 prize. The deadline for this scholarship is Aug. 31, 2022. The winner will be announced on Sept. 7, 2022.
NACME is responsible for over $3 million in scholarships awarded annually to underrepresented minority students. According to its website, NACME expects to support approximately 1,000 underrepresented minority engineering and computer students annually. To be eligible for NACME-administered scholarships, students must either be a high school senior applying to an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution or be currently enrolled in an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution. Please visit the NACME website and submit your application by Sept. 15, 2022.
The Moore the Blingyer Scholarship will support the education of Black Ingenious People of Color (BIPOC) undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in social work or human services. To apply, you must be a member of an underrepresented racial minority and actively pursue your undergraduate or graduate degree in social work or human services. For your application, you must write a 400- to 600-word essay about your long-term career goals, how you support your community, and your vision to impact social change.
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