From Harvard to Yale, Brown Mackie to Ivy Tech, going to any college is a pricy investment. While some parents are counting pennies to get their student through school, others are pushing for the alternative – a scholarship.
Getting a jump start in the application process is smart, especially for those that need help with tuition. If you want a scholarship or grant for college next year, you need to start applying right now. Financial aid runs out very quickly.
"You can never start too early," said Stacie Moseley.
The Moseleys are college hunting – even though Stacie’s son, Mason, is only a sophomore in high school.
A mother of three, Stacie Moseley said a head start is the safest route.
"It can be tedious process as far as scholarships, applying, and so forth," Moseley said.
The stress for students is overwhelming, with applications, essays and picking a school. But for parents, paying for it all sometimes seems impossible.
“We’re a one-income family,” Moseley said. “I’m a stay-at-home mom, so it’s very important he's able to get a scholarship and go wherever his academics will take him."
And here's the answer she's looking for:
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Joseph County grants about 90 scholarships each year to students who live in the county. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000 a year and any student can apply.
To apply for a scholarship, click here: http://www.scholarshipfoundation.org/index1024.html
"Especially those that feel that dream of college might not be there because finances are tight, parents lost a job, single parent home – That's where we can step in and make that difference for that student," said Mary Nucciarone from The Scholarship Foundation.
But Nucciarone said time is of the essence. Some grants and scholarships are first come, first serve.
"We will apply for whatever scholarships are out there, whatever grants, so that we can hopefully send him where he wants to go," Moseley said.
The Moseleys are two years away from sending their son off to school, but they're budgeting now, just in case.
"The scholarships aren't guaranteed, so we can afford to send him in case the scholarships don't come forward," Moseley said.
The scholarship is based on financial need and current academic status, but the Foundation doesn't require students to stay in the state.
They also offer about six scholarships every year for non-traditional students, such as adults going to school to earn their associates or bachelor's degree. That scholarship helps adults with childcare costs and transportation while they go back to school.
