College Scholarships

Considering the high-cost of a college education, many parents worry whether they'll be able to send their children to an institute of high learning. But college counselors say if there's a will there's a way. It is, however, going to take work.

Tonight.. In "Assignment: Education".. Bill Ratliff has some tips on finding money to help pay for college

--[Student Samara Richter says:] "Are they going to ask about financial aid.." --

The race is on for Plant High School Senior Samara Richter. She has applied to six colleges.. most are small and expensive. She has the grades and test scores to probably get accepted, but money is another issue.

--[Richter says:] "It's always hanging over me, but worrying is not going to do me any good so I just have to do the best I can."--

And doing the best she can means looking for any source of money available: She has used computer programs, the internet.. scholarship lists provided by her school.. not to mention the many resource books available. In other words, it's work.

--[Resource Specialist Margaret Gandy says:] "Money is not given, you earn it."--

Plant High Resource Specialist Margaret Gandy says one problem many Seniors run into.. is finding out too late their parents can't afford the college of choice.

--[Gandy says:] "They need to give them a budget.. need to give them guidelines. They need to say we can afford this amount of money. If your school costs more, you need to look for scholarships."--

So where do you look? One place is the college to which you are applying. There may be scholarships for graduates of specific high schools. Don't forget service organizations like Sertoma, Optimist and Kiwanis clubs. You can look through computer data bases and the internet.. and of course resource books at libraries and counselor offices. You may get frustrated while looking for money.. but keep a positive attitude.. like Samara Richter.

--[Richter says:] "It's only frustrating if you see it as a roadblock. Um, I think there's a lot of opportunities for me to find scholarships."--

And here are some other scholarship and financing reminders from Margaret Gandy:
Start your scholarship research early.. don't wait until your Senior year. Don't miss an application deadline. If you're late.. you're out. And.. fill out scholarship applications neatly. If they're not neat, some application committees will think you don't really want the money.

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