I am going back to college and could use some generalized answers about financial aid sources. Or any other ideas for raising funds for tuition sources to help Culinary & Theater classes.

Melinda, The most important thing to do first is to fill out your FAFSA your free application for Federal Student Aid. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ go to this site and fill it out indicating what universities and colleges you are interested in. They will send a report to them. That is very important to do quickly because enrolled students have already filled them out and there is only so much aid to go around. Also, depending on where you go, each institution usually offers scholarships based of various things, such as Grade Point Average, family need, private donar etc. You may want to go on the website of the institution you are interested in and see what they have to offer. Sometimes it takes talking to an admissions officer to get the information. If you are not eligible for federal grants or do not get any scholarships, you can get student loans. Usually you don't have to pay them back until you graduate with your degree. Those are also based on need. Apply for all their scholarships. If you qualify, you can work in the "Work Study" program. This job is usually in an office of department of the university or college that you will work directly with the staff and faculty. The pay is minimum wage and is great for "inbetween" classes. My students work for me based on their free time. Maybe one hour in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. I think the cut off is 20 hours a week. But still, that is good pay for killing time. I hope this has helped, let me know if you think of anything else.

Don't forget the Pell Grants. They don't have to be repaid. Of course everyone may not qualify, but if you do, it's a good chunk of change. That's why FAFSA is so important! In fact, here at least, you have to fill out the FAFSA ( and keep it current) to qualify for most scholarship money, not just student loans and federal grants.

In Spring 2007, I received a Pell Grant and a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Between the two, I think I had about $2500.00 , which paid every bit of my tuition and material costs for the final two semesters of my AA.