As every good student knows, preparation is important for educational success. It is just as important to include financial preparation when making your college selection. Even if your first year of college is years away, it's never too soon to explore financial options that may be available to you.

Financial Considerations

Before entering college, students are deciding what they plan to study, as well as what college to attend. The costs involved with selecting a college include tuition, books, and housing. Not only should you be aware of the annual costs for your college of choice, but when the fees will be due.

Financial Options

Options for paying for college include scholarships and grants which are gift aid or free money, loans which must be repaid, and employment.

Scholarships

It's never too soon to prepare academically. Excellence in academics can lead to scholarships to help pay for college. Scholarships are a form of financial aid often based on merit or academic achievement. You do not have to repay scholarships. Scholarships may be awarded for a limited time or for up to four years of college, and can be used to pay all or specific college costs. Use the following resources to research scholarship opportunities:

Middle or High School Advisors and Teachers
Did you know that some schools provide programs that monitor your academic achievement from middle through high school, and successful completion can pay for tuition of the college you plan to attend? School administrators may be aware of scholarships offered through your school district or Board of Education.

Civic or Social Organizations
If you or your family belong to or participate in any civic or social organizations, this may be a source for scholarships. Activities such as scouting, athletics, theater, work, or religious affiliations may provide scholarship possibilities.

Scholarship Web Searches
You can obtain access to scholarship information through Web searches. Some searches may allow you to set profile information (areas of educational and/or personal interest) to provide scholarships based upon your profile data. It is advised to only consider searches that do not require a fee for information.

Federal and State Based Financial Aid

Although students attending college cannot officially file the FAFSA until January 1 of the year they plan to attend college, students can use the free FAFSA4caster to estimate their eligibility for federal financial aid.

Employment

Working before college and/or during college is a way to help college become affordable. Setting goals to earn and save money for educational expenses, as well as personal expenses, can also help offset loan options. Even money earned from babysitting or working after-school or summer jobs can not only help financially, but can also be considered as extracurricular activities for scholarship consideration. Working can also prepare you for the skills needed to enter the workforce after your college education is complete.

Financial Experts

You can obtain the most current information regarding financial aid by contacting the financial aid office of the college you plan to attend. Include in your financial aid preparation a visit to the financial aid office to speak with a financial aid professional to get details on eligibility requirements for scholarships and financial aid. Please note, if you are considering more than one college, then you will want to contact each college separately. Applications and deadline dates may vary by college, as well as criteria for financial aid awards. Do not assume deadlines and financial aid awards at one college will be the same for all colleges. Check out the college's Web site for detailed information.

Early Preparation Web Information

Exploration and preparation can not only be informative, but it can be fun! Here are some links that can provide helpful tips in preparing for college:

www.ohiocan.org
www.college.gov
www.knowhow2go.org