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HELP!
Since a college education has become so necessary for getting
ahead, many parents will scrimp, save, and sacrifice in order to
send their children to college, often starting savings or investment
accounts for that purpose as soon as their children are born. This
doesn't mean, however, that those without financial means can't go
to college. There is a wide variety of scholarships, student loans,
and other forms of financial aid that students can apply for to help
finance their education.
Financial aid from government sources is need-based. Families
must provide details of their finances to prove that they qualify for
aid. Scholarships are more broadly available to students with a
variety of qualifications - for example, an excellent academic
record, musical ability, or athletic talent. Athletic skill is
particularly important in universities where sports such as bas-
ketball and football bring in a lot of money. Universities are happy
to pay tuition and room and board fees for students who can make
a difference to the school's sports program.
The student loan is another option available to students. Low-
interest loans, repayable after graduation, are available from a
number of government and private organizations. The amount that
a student can borrow varies from case to case, and is determined
when an application is made. Grants are another type of financial
aid for students; they are usually given to students working in a
particular field or at a particular college. The big advantage of the
grant is that it does not have to be paid back.
Work-study programs are a way for a student to earn money
while working for the school or college, or for local companies.
Part of the student’s wages is paid for with government funds,
which makes student workers more attractive to businesses. Work-
study doesn't usually cover all of a student's tuition and fees, but it
does make employment at better wages more likely. Many
American students have part-time jobs, whether work-study or not.
Of course, all this work experience comes in handy when applying
for jobs after college.