)
There’s a well-know quote that makes this statement: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” This quote implies that there are far more advantages to getting an education than paying the high price for it. If you want to pursue a criminal justice degree but are short on funds, keep reading. You’ve got options for funding your college education that you may not be aware of.
The reality is that many individuals are strapped for cash and aren’t aware of all the financial aid opportunities available. If you’re ready to begin your college education, here are some financial aid opportunities you may want to consider.
Fund Your Criminal Justice Degree with Federal Student Aid Programs
The federal government offers many programs for students. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can do this online by going to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Keep in mind that it may take one to two hours to complete the form, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
Virtually all colleges and universities require you to complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for assistance; therefore, it is important to complete it in full to avoid delays in processing your application. Once submitted electronically, your FAFSA will be processed within three working days. If you opt to process a paper form, however, it may take up to three weeks to process your application.
Once your application is submitted, The Department of Education will notify you of your eligibility of needs-based grants. The college may also use this information to determine if you’re eligible for other funding sources. Even if you plan to apply for a federal student loan, you must submit the FAFSA to qualify.
A word of caution: There are sites that will process financial aid forms through their websites for a fee. The Department of Education does not charge individuals to apply for grants and loans. Don’t be fooled by sites that are seeking profit at your expense.
Fund Your College Education with Scholarships
If you think you need to be an honor student to qualify for a scholarship, think again. There are literally thousands of scholarships for qualified individuals who need extra assistance to pay for college.
The first step you’ll want to take to locate scholarships is to contact your college’s scholarship office. They will be able to keep you abreast of opportunities that you may want to pursue. Some scholarships are available to students who maintained a “B” average in high school, such as the HOPE Scholarship. Surprisingly, you may be able to qualify for the scholarship, even if you’ve been out of high school for many years.
Another good resource to check out is Scholarships.com. By completing the online questionnaire, you may qualify for scholarships based on many factors, including but not limited to the following categories:
Religion
Heritage
Company Affiliation
Race
Major Field of Study
Musical Talent
Artistic Talent
Extra-Curricular Activities/Clubs
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Too many scholarships go unclaimed each year because students do not apply for them. Many scholarships require written essays as part of the submission process so plan ahead.
Get Creative to Fund Your Criminal Justice Degree
Do your homework and look around to take advantage of all the opportunities available. Go to Amazon.com and type in the search term “Scholarships” in the “Books” category. You’ll be surprised at the number of publications available for aspiring college students. Also, check around to see if local businesses offer scholarships to their employees or family members of employees. By finding creative ways to fund your college education, you can focus on hitting the books instead of your checkbook when you pursue your degree.
