Can scholarships help pay for college fees?

I'm a bit stressed about college costs and wondering if scholarships can actually cover fees beyond just tuition. Do they help with other expenses like books and housing? Any advice on which scholarships to look into?

Absolutely! Many scholarships can cover costs beyond just tuition, such as housing, meal plans, books, and other related expenses. These are commonly referred to as "cost of attendance" scholarships. The exact expenses a scholarship will cover can vary significantly depending on the scholarship itself, so it's important to read the terms and conditions of each one.

As for which scholarships to look into, it's recommended that you seek out both merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are usually awarded based on academic or extracurricular achievements, while need-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.

In terms of merit-based scholarships, consider both scholarships from the colleges you're interested in and external scholarships. Many universities will have merit-based scholarships for students with strong academics or special talents, and these might cover a specific cost like housing or fees. Additionally, many online platforms list external scholarships and provide a search functionality you can use to filter scholarships on criteria like field of study, minority status, and even hobbies.

For need-based scholarships, consider federal and state grants, as well as scholarships from the colleges you're applying to. The Pell Grant, for instance, is a federal need-based grant that can be used for many different education-related expenses like tuition, fees, and even meal plans. To see if you qualify, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your SAI (Student Aid Index), which replaces the old EFC (Expected Family Contribution).

Finally, remember that scholarships are only one part of the financial aid picture. Don't forget to also look into work-study programs, institution-based aid, and low-interest federal loans. Good luck on your college journey!