Everyone Can Go to College

Everyone can go to college if he/she decides they want to go to college. Yes, it can be a goal that can be pursued by every graduating high school student. Every student has this opportunity. It is left up to them to go after that opportunity.

Influences in a students’ environment tends to make the decision for them. Parents, teachers, religious leaders and peers play a large role in the final decisions of going on to college. List of reasons or excuses:

1. Parents cannot afford to pay for college
2. Grade Point Average is not 4.0.
3. Religious backgrounds – choice of faith
4. Peer pressure – choices friends make

First number one:

Parents cannot afford to pay for college.

The number one reason many young people choose not to go to college. Parents should not have to pay for a student’s college education. Students can take this responsibility.

How?

Scholarships with good grades or community involvement are two top ways to get financial aid. Many scholarships go unclaimed each year simply because students do not apply for them. Visit the counselor’s office frequently and know what is available. Apply to all of them that are possible for you to complete. (Granted you will have some rejections, however you won’t know if you don’t apply.)

• Community - Your community offers many internships and community service based projects, which in return can be grant money or scholarships to go on to college. Visit your local community development or city government office to see what is available.
• Not-for-profit community organizations – Check these out in your community – many offer a number of scholarships and grants in different areas. (You may be turned down on some however you won’t know if you don’t apply.)
• Check into student work programs – student loans – housing grants – make the college financial aid office one of your best friends. Let them know you want to be in college and you need their financial help to be there.
• Fill the FASFA forms out from the government - you may not qualify however it shows you put forth the effort and you may be surprised that you will qualify for grants or some extra funding.

Write to Foundations, local civic groups for request of funds for your college tuition. Write a descriptive essay about your self, your goals and plans for attending college. Talk to teachers, your parents, and other community leaders who know you to write letters of recommendation for you.

Always follow through with any leads or tips on funding you may see.

College is affordable and can be accomplished from any level of income if the desire is to get college education.