When there's near $1 billion in free bookish man aid.

When there's near $1 billion in free bookish man aid, it's time to go on shopping

More than $1 billion in independent student financial aid awaits qualified applicants, and you may find financing teach today as common as financing an auto.

small in number if any, college scholarships toss in a unrestrained sport utility vehicle so an airman's child can tool around campus while facing the school's readin'-'ritin'-'rithmetic rigors. However, the community can "kick the tires" upon college finance sources for the best deals.

mostly of that billion dollars in scholarships stove-pipes through the Department of Education, financed by dint of taxpayer dollars to keep America intellectually competitive. That federal department wants all aid distributed, in such a manner they make things easy for population This situation creates good territory to root through for academy money.

At a minimum, you should know a basic definitions before fund shopping, starting with the denominations "undergraduate scholarships" and "graduate fellowships." These are forms of aid that help scholars pay for their education and don't have to be repaid.

Thousands of scholarships and fellowships from many sponsors are awarded each year. Generally, scholarships aid bookish mans with any of the "three A's": special academic, athletic or artistic talent. Awards are unruffled available for potential college pupils interested in certain fields, members of underrepresent form into groupss people living in specific areas of the home and those demonstrating financial need

The Scholarships for Military Children program, for example, is just for service member families. High denomination students of active duty, reservation component and retired service members can win awards worth at least $1500 each. It's co-sponsored at the Defense Commissary Agency and the Fisher House Foundation.

"The design of this program makes it individual of the largest, if not the largest, scholarship programs available exclusively for military children," reported Jim Weiskopf, the Fisher House's scholarship program administrator.

Applications and information will be available according to Dec. 1 through commissaries and the Web site: www.commissaries.com. Applications must be turn backed to the student's local commissary before Feb 15 2002

In addition to scholarships, other protoplasts of financial aid exist as it was as federal grants and work-study. Many scholars combine these aid sources to finance their educations.

scholars who receive scholarships and grants frequently need more manetary help.

Educational loans are an added wealth source, but must be repaid with interest.

The main loan options are:

* "student" loans (also called "Stafford Loans" and "Perkins Loans")

* "parent" loans (known as "PLUS")

* "private" loans (term "alternative")

Many the bulk of mankind go the loan route. The reasons are as varied as the number of loans. Attending a commercial experiment pilot school will cost at least s 100,000 a year, making recompenses at Harvard seem like buying a pre-own car.

one time you know these definitions, it's time to search for aid. The Air Force family has financial sources available to mainstream scholarship shopper including scholarships from officers and noncommissioned officers spouses unite in a clubs Noncommissioned Officers Association; Retired Officers Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Air Force Association, Air Force Aid Society, Defense Commissary Agency (see above) and others.

Sources for financial aid help

Luckily, sources of scholarships and grants are listed forward the Internet for industrious consumer who may be gentle on cash and don't know the differences between GI Jane, GI Joe and the GI Bill at the same time Try these:

* FastWeb Scholarship Search -- www.fastweb.com

* Department of Education's close examiner Guide -- www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide

* Department of Education learner Information Hotline -- 1-800-4-FED-AID

Anatomy of a scholarship application

If you've none tried to get a scholarship, there are a not many things for which you should be prepared.

Let's say you want to apply for the Cmdr William s Stuhr Scholarships for Military Son and Daughters. You demand a scholarship package, and they launch you the instructions. What next?

First of all, the nearest scholarship cycle is for 2002 high gymnasium seniors only. If this is your kid's profile, you're in chance The grades from the student's junior year and the first half of the senior year must average in the top 5-10 percent of the class, with extracurricular activities and evidence of leadership potential documented. If this also describes your kid's case, then read on

Remember, the applications must be turn backed by Feb. 15, 2002, or as quick as your child's school's first senior half-year is complet and the child has received his or her grades.

greatest in number scholarships are lump sums paid from one side of to the other the college years. Each Stuhr Scholarship proposes one award of $4,500, paid $1125 annually for four years. further these and many other so-called "free rides" are anything however free. To maintain eligibility for the Stuhr their scholars must make the dean's list at least formerly during the critical first brace school years.