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Not
sure how to go after that much-needed college
cash? Here's a scholarship guru with some money-seeking
advice you'll wanna' know.
Go
to College For Free? How Could That Be?
By Lynda Kessler
Additional reporting by Krista Michelle Arrigo
May/June 2003
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Tired of everybody
scoring tuition dollars except you? You can change
your financial situation -- if you're willing
to listen to and absorb some sound scholarship
advice. In fact, Ben Kaplan, a Harvard graduate
who made national news after securing nearly $90,000
for his education, dishes the college cash 4-1-1
in his book How to Go to College Almost for
Free (Harper Collins, 2002).
Think
ahead.
When searching for scholarships, says Kaplan,
don't neglect those that can come in handy in
the future. For example, if you're a high school
junior and find a scholarship for college freshmen,
make a note of it. You can always apply for it
later. Some places to look for college cash include
your school's college office, web sites of colleges
and/or career fields you're interested in, and
neighborhood organizations.
Volunteer
in your school's guidance or financial aid office.
Kaplan calls this a 'guerrilla tactic' because
it gives you an advantage over your peers. After
all, you'll have firsthand access to information
that can save you and your parents lots of money.
Conduct
sufficient on-your-own research.
This is a clever scholarship-seeking strategy
because as helpful as your guidance counselor
can be, there are always other dollar deals waiting
to get snatched up. According to Kaplan, Internet
databases such as Fastweb.com, SRNExpress.com,
and WiredScholar.com give you on-your-own
research options. "These services ask for personal
information such as age, gender, ethnicity, grade
point average... Then, they use [it] to scan their
databases and provide you with a list of scholarships
that fit your profile."
Do
some "Me" thinking.
Carefully think about who you are.Are you a do-gooder?
The survivor of a major obstacle? A brainiac?
A philanthropist? Knowing this information about
yourself will be invaluable particularly when
it's time to write your personal statement.
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