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Alternatives to Loans
Regardless of where you study, you have a few options for financing your education. First and foremost, you want to find sources of money that you do not have to repay. This means getting a summer job , or maybe working part-time during the school year. Another way to earn money that you don't have to repay is to apply for scholarships and bursaries . Two sites where you can get up-to-date information on scholarships tailored to your needs are Student Awards.com and Scholarships.com . You should also visit your school's department of Student Awards and Financial Aid to determine if there are any in-school or in-programme scholarships that you can apply for.
A scholarship is an amount of money awarded to students for outstanding achievements; they are merit-based. These are typically earned by high academic standing, but can also be earned for athletics, volunteering, and many other areas. You are probably eligible for some scholarships that you do not even know about: if your father was a nurse, or if you mom is from a certain school board, then there might be money out there for you. Hundreds of thousands of dollars from scholarships goes unclaimed every year simply because nobody knew to apply.
A bursary is an amount of money awarded to students who can prove financial need. Check with your school financial aid office to see what bursaries you are eligible for.
You might also be eligible for grants , depending on your field of study. Grants are generally given to graduate students. You need to fill in a lengthy grant application, but the hours of paperwork can be worth it when you get the payment. Ask at your financial aid office what grants are available to you. It is also worthwhile to ask a professor in your field, because s/he might know of other specific grants that you should apply for.
Many campuses have a student employment program , where you can work for 10 or 15 hours a week on campus. See what part-time, flexible employment your school offers.
