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Bringing It Home – The Saint Rose Blog

Financial Aid 101: What We Wish We Knew about Paying for College When We Were 17

Figuring out how to pay for college can be overwhelming (to say the least). But it doesn’t have to be.

We’ve got the benefit of hindsight (something all of the older people in your life tell you, we know), but TRUST US: learn from our mistakes. If we were in your shoes right now, we’d go about this whole financing-the-most-important-part-of-your-life thing a little differently.

via GIPHY

 

Here’s what we’d do:

We’d remember to fill out the FAFSA.

Everyone should fill out the FAFSA—EVERYONE—and do it as soon as you can—Oct. 1 the year before you apply. This will ensure you get any federal grants you’re entitled to, plus it’ll give you an idea of how much money in loans you’re eligible for through the government.

We’d apply for 10 million scholarships.

OK, maybe not 10 million, but there are a TON of scholarships out there for every kind of person in every kind of situation. Look around for anything that you might be qualified for and apply. It adds up!

We’d research how much it costs to live and eat.

When talking about tuition, it can be easy to underestimate the price of actually living at school. Housing and eating can cost upward of $15,000 a year.

Of course, you’d be paying much more than that if you were living in your own apartment (which maybe you will be), but still it’s essential to be prepared for that expense, plus extra spending money for late-night pizzas, movies, and matcha tea.)

We’d talk to financial aid – a LOT – about how they can help us afford college.

At Saint Rose, we have knowledgeable staff devoted to helping you figure this stuff out. USE THEM. The financial aid counselors are friendly and they love to talk to you about all of your options. These guys are like Indiana Jones, and paying for school is that table of chalices, and they’re like, “The penitent man will pass!” and you’re like “What does that even mean?!” But then they’ll give you exactly the right cup to eternal life. Except in this case, “eternal life” is just “really good ideas for affording college.”

But don’t take our word for it. Give financial aid a call:  518-458-5464.

What do you think?

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