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Tennesseans are showing off their volunteer spirit this weekend to help out the people affected by this week's devastating Oklahoma tornado.More >> Tennesseans are showing off their volunteer spirit this weekend to help out the people affected by this week's devastating Oklahoma tornado.More >> Four people, including two children, were injured in a head-on collision in Sevier County Friday after a driver fell asleep at the wheel.More >> Four people, including two children, were injured in a head-on collision in Sevier County Friday after a driver fell asleep at the wheel.More >> Official charges have been filed against the former police officer who opened fire at a Bean Station pharmacy, killing the owner and another man, and injuring two women.More >> Official charges have been filed against the former police officer who opened fire at a Bean Station pharmacy, killing the owner and another man, and injuring two women.More >> A Madisonville woman has been formally charged in an April incident that took the life of a Tellico Plains father.More >> A Madisonville woman has been formally charged in an April incident that took the life of a Tellico Plains father.More >> Four people were taken into custody Thursday in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme at a Knoxville investment firm. Additional charges were also filed against two others who had already been indicted in the case.More >> Four people were taken into custody Thursday in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme at a Knoxville investment firm. Additional charges were also filed against two others who had already been indicted in the case.More >> The Tennessee Appeals Court has ruled against a man who claimed state law regulating the carrying of firearms was unconstitutional.More >> The Tennessee Appeals Court has ruled against a man who claimed state law regulating the carrying of firearms was unconstitutional.More >> Tennessee environmental officials have given Piedmont Natural Gas permission to resume drilling on a Nashville pipeline project.More >> Tennessee environmental officials have given Piedmont Natural Gas permission to resume drilling on a Nashville pipeline project.More >> The local offices of several federal agencies will be closed Friday as a result of the government sequester.More >> The local offices of several federal agencies will be closed Friday as a result of the government sequester.More >> Three middle schoolers are facing felony vandalism charges for causing damage to several classrooms in a Rockwood elementary school.More >> Three middle schoolers are facing felony vandalism charges for causing damage to several classrooms in a Rockwood elementary school.More >> Roger Welchel, 54, died Thursday night after crashing his vehicle in South Knoxville.More >> Roger Welchel, 54, died Thursday night after crashing his vehicle in South Knoxville.More >>
- Apply for admission and financial aid early in your senior year.
- Submit a “FAFSA,” the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Submit it as early as January when your family receives the necessary income statements.
- Ask your high school counselor about scholarship and grant information received by the school. Apply to the ones for which you qualify.
- Check with the financial aid office at the college you want to attend. Find out what assistance is available through the college and find out what forms are required.
- Surf the Web for more information (see our list of websites).
- Apply for scholarships and grants.
- Ask about Work Study programs.
- Consider Parent PLUS loans.
- Keep track of deadlines and contacts. Be organized! Think of the financial aid search as a part-time job.
Financial Aid Websites
www.act.org/fane – Financial Aid Need Estimator and financial aid information
www.collegeview.com – Financial aid information
www.collegenet.com – Free search of more than 600,000 scholarship awards. www.finaid.org – Financial aid information
www.ed.gov/finaid.html – The federal government financial aid page
www.fafsa.ed.gov – Free application for federal student aid
www.collegeispossible.org – Financial aid information from a coalition of colleges and universities.
How much will it cost?
Would you like to have an idea what college will cost you? Check out the free financial aid need estimator at ACT’s website: www.act.org/fane. This calculator will estimate what your family will be expected to contribute toward the cost of college. And you can determine the costs at more than 32,000 U.S. colleges and universities. You’ll get your official answer from the federal government later, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect since it uses the same financial aid formula used in calculating official results.
Beware of scholarship scams
The Federal Trade Commission offers the following signs of a scholarship scam:
1. "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
2. "You can't get this information anywhere else."
3. "May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship?"
4. "We'll do all the work."
5. "The scholarship will cost you some money."
6. "You've been selected" by a national foundation to receive a scholarship," or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.
Source: ACT, Inc.
