Martha Holler Line Quotations

The bottom line is that there's money that's out there for the taking, and it's a shame not to apply.

The key to the process is getting organized and meeting deadlines. Set up a file with information about all financial aid programs and keep financial documents, such as last year's tax forms and recent bank statements, on hand. Track deadlines for college, scholarship and financial aid applications, and keep a copy of every form you submit.

Every high school graduate with a Social Security Number is entitled to free or cheap money to pay for college. Applying in advance of state and school deadlines gives you the best shot of getting all of the money you are entitled to receive to pay for college.

Loans should be taken out after a student has fully exhausted other options, such as grants and scholarships, that do not need to be repaid. The bottom line is that there are several low-cost options for students and their parents to cover the cost of college.