The "Free Money"
Start By Looking For Scholarships

The obvious first choice for financial aid is to go for the “free money” – the scholarships and grants for college that don’t have to be paid back. Online learners are a bit more challenged here, since many of the scholarship programs out there are much more used to giving funds to traditional-type students than for university degrees online. But that doesn’t mean you are shut out. The number of public, corporate and private scholarships out there is simply so large that you have a very good chance of finding scholarship money if you look hard enough.

A Very, Very Wide Range
The scholarship landscape is, in fact so large that it can be a little confusing to search through. Everyone from Fortune 500 companies to local Knights of Columbus chapters offer scholarships. Start by looking at your local library and among every civic group in the town you live in (even if you live in a major city). You don’t need to be an A student to get a scholarship, but you will often need a letter of recommendation from a teacher, employee or clergyman, and you may have to submit an essay or cover letter to a foundation to get assistance. Try to find the scholarship that fits you. Some groups like to give money to students who have been deeply involved in community activities, who have demonstrated business talents, who are member or minorities or fit any number of different profiles.

Something For Every Type of Student
Just a few examples of private scholarship organizations listed on Phoenix University’s site include:

• The Akademos/TextbookX.com Scholarship, for undergraduate and grad students enrolled in good standing at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
• The 1-800-Wheelchair Scholarship Fund, for full-time undergrad students who value tolerance, compassion and respect for all people in their communities.
• The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest, which awards students read the famous Ayn Rand novel and write an essay on a selected topic that can be found on the website of the foundation’s website.
• The Blogging for Progress Scholarship, given to students who create a blog and write about current events, environmental issues and public policy. The Internet is a good tool for searching for scholarships, since so many new ones are created every year.

Also, don’t assume you can get only one scholarship. It’s completely possible to obtain financial aid from several organizations. A good additional tip: don’t do the work of searching for scholarship money all on your own. The financial aid office at any quality online college or university should be able to help you find a scholarship that’s right for you.

Your School, Your Scholarship
Keep in mind that the colleges themselves offer numerous scholarships, which may be based on your grade average in high school or an artistic or writing portfolio. Online students, naturally, tend not to qualify for athletic scholarships. The amount of money you can get from schools varies drastically, so make sure to talk with your school’s financial aid office before committing to study at that particular school.

Next: Getting Your Employer To Pay For Your Online Degree