Are you stoked about this fresh quarter/semester?
It is upon us, so if you're planning on a few classes,
I'd get busy. It's always a drag trying to get into
the ones you want at the last minute. College life
waits for no one. This goes the same for student loans
and financial aid. If you need it, you'd better get
on the ball. The truth is it's always best to plan
far in advance. If you know the earliest date to apply,
DO IT. Don't procrastinate and wait around like you
have all the time in the world. This is reality! You
don't! High school is over with. The University lifestyle
is completely different. It's fast-paced, and if you
slack off, you get burned. Take a look around at the
thousands of other students. You're merely one in
a massive crowd. So don't plan on any special treatment.
It took me a bit to catch on to the financial aid
process. I was one of the many, who could certainly
not afford college life without assistance. And no,
I'm not talking about the kind you get from your parents.
They advised me to go about it on my own. My father
told me that if I was forced to pay my own way, I'd
strive for better grades. Today I believe he was correct.
Since I did fund my own college, I worked my butt
off to do well. Not that it's easy with a part-time
job on the side, and a child to raise. But, all things
considered, I'm proud of my graduating GPA. I always
stayed above 3.00. Anyway, let's talk finances. As
I mentioned before, college can be pricy. You will
most likely need to apply for student loans immediately.
And by immediately, I mean way before your fall quarter/semester
begins. This translates to somewhere between January
and May. Whatever you do, don't wait until fall hits.
You'll never get the financial assistance you need.
By this time, all who applied for student loans earlier
will be getting their funds.
It's no doubt a process. College life is something
you have to get used to. But, like anything else it
will become routine. This is why I only offer you
one simple word of advice. Apply for student loans
EARLY in the year! Make certain you're on the list
of those who will receive much-needed aid. The late
students never get their funds on time. The quarter
will begin, and they'll have no cash to pay for tuition.Taking
out student loans is borrowing money, and it is very
important the you realize this before signing for
the loan.The latest you can apply for full-time student
loans is six weeks before your study program ends
as long you have provided all the required documentation.
The typical expense period for student loans is the
first day of fall semester and the last day of spring
semester (August through May).The problem with student
loans is that most students don't understand what
they are getting into once they graduate, so make
sure you know what you are getting into before you
sign on the dotted line. A final note is that if you
need to consolidate any loans, the best time is after
you graduate unless the interest rates are going to
increase.
