Search 4 career colleges

Going back to school is a serious decision to make – we know that it requires time, money and, most of all, a real commitment to education. Because of that, it’s important to choose a school where you can get the greatest benefit.

There are a lot of choices out there, but one that stands apart is High-Tech Institute. Taking a few moments to meet the instructors before enrolling in school can give you a real sense of how much they care and how proud they are of their students’ successes. Warm, encouraging and knowledgeable become a perfect combination and makes our teachers valued by students and other faculty alike.

High-Tech Institute also tries to find students who are sincerely interested in working hard in order to achieve their goals. This creates a wonderfully positive atmosphere with lively discussions and great interaction on any group projects.

Finally, High-Tech Institute offers so many options that can make your learning experience rich and rewarding. Access to computer laboratories outside of regular class hours, academic tutoring, special events, picnics and contests are just some of the benefits that set High-Tech Institute apart. Not only that, you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in community service events such as blood drives and health fairs.

So we hope that you’re considering High-Tech Institute for your future education. But the absolute best way to find out if High-Tech Institute is the right choice for you is to contact an admissions representative. You won’t be disappointed!

You have some schools in mind. You have the will. You have good grades. You even have that sweatshirt that has “COLLEGE” on it. But in the money department, there’s much to be done. It has become obvious that you’re going to need financial help.
Is there any chance you could get a free ride to college? It’s not easy, says Barry W. Simmons, director of the office of scholarships and financial aid at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

“Unless you can score a 1600 on the SAT or can run faster and jump higher than anyone else, there aren’t many ‘full rides’ out there,” he says. “It’s a matter of supply and demand.”

Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.org and co-author of The Prentice Hall Guide to Scholarships and Fellowships for Math and Science Students, agrees by saying that true full rides to college are very rare, and because of this, the people who are “in it to win it” are fierce competitors for the rewards.

How do you start?
Your best bet is to make a potent financial combination from a variety of aid, including scholarships, grants and financial awards. You’re going to have to search for quite a while and work your charm, but it can pay off. “If a student has been thorough in their research and used scholarship search tools, they will find many opportunities,” Simmons says. Another tip he has is that “too much is never enough.” Check to see if you can “bank” any excess awards for future years, Simmons says. Many come in lump sums that can be tucked away into savings accounts to make the long haul much easier during your education experience.

But Ben Kaplan, who is an author of scholarship application tip books, believes that students with initiative, resolve and creativity can cut their college costs tremendously. He knows what he’s talking about. Kaplan won $90,000 in scholarships from a large collection of programs after applying for more than 30 different awards. “Colleges are giving more and more aid to ’special’ students, including merit scholarships and preferential packages of need-based aid,” he says.

Where is a scholarship an average joe can earn?
In case it wasn’t stated clearly enough before, there are lots of places for you to look. Great scholarships are easier to find these days, thanks to the Web. The flip side of this is that there are more of your competitors using these tools as well. So get started!

Community service based scholarships:
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/service.phtml
Scholarships for average students:
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/average.phtml
Unusual scholarships:
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/unusual.phtml
Full tuition scholarships (So you’re an average joe. You can dream big!):
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/academicscholarships.phtml

The Planning Stage

Most families pay for college using a combination of savings, current earnings and financial aid. How do you reduce financial worries and save money?
Start saving early!

• Saving early and regularly gives compound interest time to accumulate to your benefit.
• By starting early, you can save smaller amounts over a longer period of time.
• Early planning allows you to save for both education and retirement.
• Early investing helps students complete college with less debt.
• Having a larger college fund gives students a broader range of college choices.

When searching for scholarships, contact:
• Clubs
• Businesses
• Churches
• Social organizations

Usually, the above types of scholarships are not widely publicized. This means they have fewer applicants, which equals higher odds of winning for you! Don’t forget to ask your local high school counselor, librarian and college financial aid office for direction. Remember – helping students locate financial aid is part of their job, and they help people like you every day. They can be your best source of help!

Related Quick Facts

• Sixty-three percent of all undergraduates enrolled in 2003–04 received some type of financial aid.
• Undergraduates were more likely to receive grants than student loans in 2003–04, but the average grant amount was less than the average student loan amount.
• About one-half (51 percent) of undergraduates received grants and about one-third (35 percent) took out student loans.
• The average amount of grants received was $4,000, and the average amount borrowed by undergraduates in 2003–04 was $5,800.
• Undergraduates enrolled in 2003–04 were more likely to receive federal grants than grants from any other source.
• An alternative source for grants can come from employers, parents’ employers or private foundations.

Finding Scholarships and Grants

• Your prospective school may award scholarships based on academic performance, but this doesn’t have to be the only measurement of worth.
• Ethnic heritage organizations often provide scholarships to exceptional students sharing their ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
• Employers will many times offer scholarships to their employees or to children or spouses of employees.
• Churches, synagogues, temples and religious denominations offer scholarships for students who are a part of their congregations or are planning a career in the clergy.
• Trade and research organizations sponsor scholarships to attract students to a field of study facing a worker shortage or to encourage returning, international or minority students to work toward a specific degree.