Paying for college

“Students are encouraged to seek out options for financing verification prior to enrolling in college,” Fuller said. “However, they still may need additional assistance. It’s best for students to begin investigating and continue that all the way through college to help pay for their education.”

Scholarships & Grants 

Scholarships and grants for college students are available at the local, state and federal level. They can be used for educational expenses and do not have to be repaid, so long as the student completes a degree. Scholarships can be found though local organizations, nonprofits and private companies, while grants are typically distributed through the state or federal government. To find more information on available grants and scholarships, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to determine whether a student qualifies for financial aid based on several factors, such as parent incomes and the number of people in a student’s household. The 2017-18 FAFSA will be available beginning Oct. 1.

Loans

Subsidized: Loans are available to undergraduate students. • The U.S. Department of Education pays interest on the loan while the student is in school at least half the time and for six months after a student graduates. • The school determines how much the student can borrow.

Unsubsidized: Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students. • The student is responsible for paying interest over the lifetime of the loan. But if the student does not pay the interest, it is added to the principle of the loan. • The school determines how much a student can borrow based on tuition cost.

Overwhelmed?

According to U.S. News & World Report, as many as one third of first year students drop out after freshman year due to academic struggles, lack of money or personal issues. Fuller said students who are struggling should reach out to find counseling and academic resources that are available. ”One of the biggest common mistakes the students make is that they don’t take advantage of support service areas that exist,” Fuller said. “Students are encouraged to take advantage of all resources to help them be successful.”

Online resources:

Lone Star College System: A directory for academic and mental health counseling is available at www.lonestar.edu/counseling-services.

American College Health Association: A reference guide with information on a variety of mental and physical health topics is available at www.acha.org.

Textbook options

While many higher education institutions sell textbooks or offer rental options, a number of online retailers also offer a wide selection of college textbooks at lower costs. • Chegg • Amazon • Barnes & Noble