Show Financial Aid to pony up the dough Jeremy Holm Contributing Writer Like many students I am often concerned about how to pay for my education So when I noticed an mail e-mail on my computer that said You qualify for our S scholarship scholarship scholarship schol schol- I eagerly clicked on the link In truth I had not qualified for a scholarship but a CON CON- TEST I could only use use the money to attend one of the nine colleges offered and I had to fill out a questionnaire to enter I reached the part where I had to click Yes I want more information or I could not proceed I closed the window in frustration I obviously didn't find the answer to my financial con con- cerns But does this mean that there is no other solution to help me afford the rising cost of college education Fortunately financial aid is offered to assist students who might not be able to attend school any other way said John Curl Director of Financial Aid at the University of Utah These dollars are available to students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents in a variety of different forms These forms are grants scholarships and loans U LJ J. J IU J JO J i nil J JJ 1 r. r I P Y gr grafts n sJ said said I Rachel of the Financial Aid Office They are funded to those in need These can include State and Federal Pell When it comes to scholarships scholarships scholarships scholar scholar- ships said they are awarded to students with academic academic academic aca aca- demic merit or by showing exceptional or profound talent talent talent tal tal- tal- tal ent in a specific area of interest interest interest inter inter- est or study And when it comes to loans Depending on the type of loan you have to pay it back with a certain interest rate Most have to be paid back after youve you've graduated Cristi Easton Director of Financial Aid for further further further fur fur- ther explained subsidized loans are where the interest rate doesn't accrue These loans dont don't have to be paid back until 6 to 9 months after graduation Un-subsidized Un loans dont don't have to be paid during school but the interest does accrue How does one go about applying for financial aid Dont pay someone else to todo todo todo do it for you Easton said There are a lot of scholarship scholarship scholarship scholar scholar- ship scams out there The main thing is to do it early Fill out a and then go goto goto goto to the financial aid office According to the gov to be eligible for Federal financial aid a student must be a US U.S. citizen or an eligible non They must have havea a valid Soci num- num I ia LI J J I upi JI t berand comply n frith ith Se e v f pic registration if required A high school diploma a General Education Development GED Certificate or passing an approved to benefit test is required Students must also be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student student student stu stu- stu- stu dent working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participates participates participates par par- in the Federal student student student stu stu- stu- stu dent aid programs do with A lot of it has to and those of your tax returns your legal guardians if you are unmarried and under the 24 said age of contact contact contact con con- The school will usually tact you about what grants or scholarships are available to you You will then need to go goin goin goin financial in to your schools school's the aid office to fill out forms Students may find that there are several options available to them but students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents should also use caution Be careful with loans said Dont take out more than what you need Dont Don't spend it frivolously You'll regret it in the end If you graduate and are just starting into the job field and you have all this debt to pay payoff payoff payoff off plus the interest it will be bevery bevery bevery very difficult to pay it all back Students should also be wary of lenders warns Melodic Melodie Henry a Loan Specialist with the Education Loan Marketplace a service offered through the Collegiate Funding Services A lot of schools have agreements with lenders and the financial aid office will send you to that lender Henry said It can affect how much you pay back Henry said If ff L you A lv F i avo only u yi f get geL rt sl a ll loan tL AJ lender dont don't li have of a a desire desire ito i to help you consolidate your loans and interest rates But if you have a few lenders they will offer you a better reduction rate So how much money can you be awarded The only way is to apply and find out what youre you're offered Curl said Oftentimes students are surprised surprised surprised sur sur- what they are eligible for All AIl it costs you is some time |