Many current and future college students need help to pay for college. Especially with tuition rates going up every year, students are looking for ways to pay for their college eduction.

Student loans may be a necessity, but there are other sources of funding that will help pay for school. There are many opportunities to be awarded funds that do not have to be repaid, as student loans do.

Many students will qualify for government grants for college. Grants are awards based upon financial need that are given to students by the government.

How do students get money in the form of grants? Students apply for government grants for college by filling out the The Free Applicaton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the first step in the financial aid process. By completing this application form, students will be matched with aid programs that they qualify for.

The FAFSA is the one application form that is used by all public colleges in the US to determine eligigibililty for both loans and grants. Grants are always free money -- that is it doesn't have to be paid back. Grants may come in the form of federal grants or state grants. Students will learn which grants they have been awarded when they get the results from the FAFSA back in the mail.

Students can also get free money for college by applying for college scholarships. There are many college scholarships available all across the United States. There are resources available to help students find scholarships such as online databases and published directories. Many of these books can even be found in the local library.

There are other ways that students can get money to pay for college education expenses. Students should check with their college's financial aid, student employment and scholarship offices to find more opportunities to get money for school.

Michael Carter is a contributor at College Financial Aid Guide, an online informational resource for educational funding, scholarships and student loans. Find out about more Ways to Earn Money for College

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