Free money (scholarships and grants), as well as other forms of student aid, is awarded to those students deemed the most deserving, whether through actual need or demonstrated talent (academic, athletic, etc.).

Applications need to be sent for and budgets prepared. The application forms must be properly, honestly, and painstakingly filled out. If you make false or dishonest statements regarding income, assets, etc., you run the risk of being discovered in a lie and losing all future chances of receiving aid. Negotiations and acceptances must be followed through in order to make the free money appear. Without following all the steps in their proper order, it can't and won't happen.

Although literally thousands of sources of aid exist in this country, there is lack of coherent, cohesive information on how to find them. Discovering these sources, their requirements, applications, deadlines, etc. can be extremely complicated, time consuming, and confusing. Once the financial aid package is determined, it is entirely possible that the aid officer may have missed or may not be aware of a particular scholarship or loan available to a specially qualified student. If a student thinks he may be eligible for additional aid that may have been overlooked, he is going to have to search out that possibility for himself. This means looking for free money before the financial aid package is actually awarded.

Your search for discovering these special sources should include:

• Talking to your high school guidance counselor.
• Checking school and public libraries for books and pamphlets about aid sources.
• Finding out if your parents belong to any professional or fraternal organizations that might offer aid.
  
• Finding out about military benefits.
  
• Investigating community, civic, cultural, and fraternal groups and organizations.
  
• Looking out for contests and competitions awarding money, and/or scholarships.
  
• Checking with local businesses, industries, and religious organizations about educational aids.
  
• Looking for award notices from state and federal agencies about award programs.
  
• Basically, going after any and all possibilities for private sources of money.

Available Sources of Student Aid:

• PELL GRANT
  
• STAFFORD GRANT
  
• FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)
  
• COLLEGE/WORK STUDY PROGRAM
  
• PERKINS LOAN STATE SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT
  
• COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT
  
• COLLEGE LOAN PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT
  
• PRIVATE LOAN (ex. SLS, PLUS)
  
• GI/VETERANS BENEFITS
  
• SOCIAL SECURITY