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Use Your Hobbies to Pay for College

By U.S. News & World Report

Especially as a high schooler, your parents may not understand your hobbies and other interests outside school — perhaps they push for you to spend extra time on school work when you are ready to tackle your interests. But your hobbies could prove valuable and give you the inside track to paying for college.

Some organizations award scholarships to students who demonstrate great love or proficiency for their hobbies. And this can significantly help offset the still-rising cost of college and skyrocketing student loan debt.

[Read advice on paying for college.]

The National Association for Amateur Radio, for example, each year awards more than 80 scholarships valued between $500 and $5,000. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement as well as involvement in amateur radio.

Students only need to submit one application to be considered for all the scholarships, although some of the scholarships have geographic and other limitations. Applications for 2018 awards open Oct. 1 and are due by Jan. 31, 2018, with transcripts due by Feb. 15.

Students who have developed an interest in photography could be candidates for the $500 Camera Runner Photography Scholarship. The award is presented to high school or college students — including part-time students — who have an interest in photography.

Applicants must write an essay about what they like about photography and submit a favorite photo they’ve taken. The deadline is Aug. 31.

[Find college scholarships that reward a variety of hobbies.]

Public speaking is another talent than can translate into college aid. The Sons of the American Revolution awards multiple prizes between $200 and $5,000 for its Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest. High schoolers, including home-schooled students, are judged on a five- to six-minute speech and accompanying manuscript.

Applicants participate in regional preliminary round before advancing to the state and then national competition, which takes place in June during the organization’s national meeting. Applicants should contact their local chapter for deadline information.

Students who love of cars — and have an interest in an automotive career — can apply for the Automotive Hall of Fame scholarships. The hall’s scholarship programoffers a number of awards to incoming and upperlevel full-time college or trade school students. The scholarship amounts vary and are based on financial need, and most require a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or living in the U.S. with a valid visa and must provide two letters of recommendation that support their interest in automotives. Applications must be postmarked by June 30.

[See how crafting hobbies can lead to college scholarships.]

Tabletop game players also have a shot at winning scholarships via nonprofit Gamers Helping Gamers. Applicants must write essays related to “Magic: The Gathering,” a trading card game, and could win a $5,000 scholarship. 2018 applications will open this fall and are due by March 31, 2018.

High school senior athletes with strong leadership and academic abilities can apply for the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program. The athletic-gear retailer annually awards 20 $20,000 scholarships, split evenly over the winner’s four-year college career.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who are members of high school sports teams or after-school sports groups, including intramural teams or martial arts clubs, and must be enrolling at a four-year accredited U.S. college or university. They likewise must have maintained a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout high school.

Academic excellence, leadership and sportsmanship are considered. Check the website for update 2018 application deadlines.

Of course, none of this means you should neglect your studies to become the best amateur radio operator, photographer or game player just to earn a scholarship. But if you already have talent or demonstrated interest in these or other areas, using them to earn a scholarship can help lighten your college financial burden.

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Use Your Hobbies to Pay for College originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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