Hello,
Before attending college I sat down with my dad and made a list of all of our expenses in order to see what we would be able to afford. Based on the list, my current financial aid package along with money from scholarships were enough aid for us. However, I’ve realized how my dad is not the best when it comes to budgeting, making financial plans, and keeping track of when bills are due and how much is coming out of his account. I don’t want to have to drop out or take a semester off because of this, so I’ve been looking for and applying to scholarships that I think are a good fit for me based on my skills, and I’ve been trying to find any grants that weren’t included in my FASFA. Does anyone know of any art and/or essay scholarships or education grants that isn’t included in the FASFA (if that’s even a thing). Thank you!
Filing the FAFSA only gets you federal grants, loans, and anything the school gives out using the FAFSA (its own fund or scholarships it controls). The school doesn’t control other awards.
There may be local scholarships for art competitions, essay contests, local businesses (Pepsi, Credit Unions), civic organizations (Elks, American Legion). As your guidance counselor, and check your school’s website and those of surrounding schools.
Run the Net Price Calculators on the websites of your targeted schools and they will often give you sample financial aid packages you can expect get from them. You will likely see that they will most often not meet full need, and that loans and self help is almost always in there.
The problem with merit scholarships when you have financial is that they often are applied to the need first. Sometimes they are applied to the loans and work study parts of the awards first, especially the outside scholarships. But they often do end up reducing the aid package.
Your working, scrimping, Student Direct Loans are where the leeway is often found. It’s wise that you recognize that your parent may be overly optimistic in telling you what he is willing and able to pay. Or things can change financially in future years. Something can happen that requires diversion of family funds. Stuff can come up that happens to you at college too, need new glasses, medical expense. , dental emergency, broken computer, emergency trip home etc etc.
Outside scholarships aren’t generally enough to cover residential college. They’re usually small and it’s difficult to find them several years in a row. If you get outside grants the school may reduce your scholarship by a similar amount. Find out what their policy is.
Can your dad use direct deposit and have the money you need for college deposited directly in your account? If the money isn’t in his account he can’t spend it. If your dad spends the money that’s supposed to be for your college you may have to make a plan B. Are there schools near home that you can commute to if you can’t pay for your current school?
Are you working? If you find a non-Work Study job your hours and pay won’t be limited.
From reading your other thread, it sounds like you are currently a college freshman. Is that right? Are your college bills being paid???
Where is your mom in this financial discussion?
Remember to utilize tax benefits for education. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center
For example, the AOTC can be up to $2,500/year if eligible. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/aotc
A separate account for education purposes that your dad can make monthly deposits into and you can use for qualified education expenses when the big bills come due might help your dad stay on budget, help with record keeping for taxes and give you peace of mind that everything is on track.
Does your school have foundation scholarships for continuing students? Usually there is a common application on your school’s site for a whole bunch of scholarships.
Some ideas…
-If you are already in school, go to your department office and ask about in department scholarships. At both my kids schools, you are automatically considered for interdepartmental scholarships, but check to see if that is the case. If you are doing very well in school, this may be a great resource.
-Find some professional associations related to your major and see if they have scholarships. They are usually on the small side, but there is often little competition.
-Work as much as you can over the summer. This about the only thing you can control.
-Check the local alumni group for your school. One of my kids got a scholarship from the local alumni group (we do not live in the same state, so that may have helped).
Good luck!