The Financial Aid Resource Center is a valuable and practical guide designed to give you the crucial information necessary to begin your search for financial aid. Our pages are filled with how-to examples and guidance to avoid the pitfalls that are inherent in your quest for money to fund your college education.

Planning and paying for a college education can be a daunting task for anyone. We have been through the process with our own students. The information assembled in this guide is a direct product of our practical experience. This information will aid you in designing your college funding plan and provide you the fundamental knowledge necessary to begin the process successfully.

Key financial components of your plan will include the following:

• College Scholarships: Learn about available scholarships and how to search for free scholarship money.

• Student Loans: Learn about the Parent Plus, Perkins, and Stafford Student Loan programs.

• Grants for College: What Grants are available to students?

• Work-Study: How does the work-study program benefit me?

• State Financial Aid: We have information and links for each state’s program.

• FAFSA: We help you understand the application process.

• Financial Aid Resources:What are the best resources available to assist your research?

How do you get the money you need?

It will take time and effort.

Read and research. Understand the basics. Expand your knowledge. Investigate opportunities. Collect and organize your family’s financial data. Learn how to write a successful scholarship or application essay. Learn how to succeed at the interview process.

Each plan will be unique to the interests of the student and the institutions they plan to attend. Research the available scholarships, student loans, grants and other types of aid available at the federal and state level. We provide you with the basic knowledge and links to get you started.

Consulting with the financial aid office of the college or university that you are considering attending is a valuable next step. A frank, honest discussion with a counselor will assist you in putting together a realistic package. The counselor will also assist you in identifying funding opportunities that exist within their institution.

Start early.

Break your search into mini-projects.

You will not be able to finish this project in one night.

Develop your plan and stick to it.

Stay focused.

You can do it.

The results are worth it.