A How to Guide to Getting Free Money for College

You don't have to be top of your class or a great athlete to get free money for college. You also don't have to be a certain age or a minority. All you have to do is get organized, research, and apply... That's it I'll show you just how to do it.

First things first, let me put to rest the common myth that billions and billions of dollars in scholarship money gets awarded each year, because no one bothers to apply for any of them. If people applied for such scholarships or grants then money gets awarded.

Winning money for college is just the same as saying earning money for writing. It's vital to educate yourself about the process (just like you are doing here), complete applications properly, and follow up on a timely basis.

Rule number one in the winning money for college process: Apply If you don't apply then that's like not asking, if you don't ask, then how are you suppose to get an answer? Applying for scholarships doesn't cost you anything except a little of your time and maybe a postage stamp. As long as you meet the requirements and qualifications, you don't have a good reason no to apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible.

So now you are asking what exactly am I apply for? Not a problem, free money is generally divided into the following categories:

Scholarships: If you are awarded a scholarship, a person or organization gives you money for something you've done or for something you are capable of doing.

Grants: These types of awards are easy and simple because you are basically getting free money for just being who you are. For example: The Czech son of a firefighter who has the grades to get into college but only half the money to pay for it.

Low-Interest or Interest-Free Loans: The money must be paid back, as with any loan, but you get to use the money while you are going to school, so the money is free for now.

Other Stuff: Sometimes you are awarded via free stuff instead of money. Such "stuff" includes free books, housing, or other necessities of college life.

Two other types of financial aid terms are merit-based and need-based awards.