Easing the Burden of Tuition

The cost of college can be one of the most intimidating factors to consider, but there are a variety of ways to ease this burden for you and your family. The most important piece of advice I can offer is to apply for every scholarship you are eligible for, regardless of whether you think you will win or not.

When I was a senior in high school I spent a significant amount of time browsing websites such as Fastweb.com that match you with scholarships based on the information you provide about yourself. Rather than having to endlessly click on opportunities you may not qualify for, Fastweb allows you to focus on the scholarships that fit you as an individual. Although applying for such a large amount of scholarships may seem daunting, once you have applied for a few it becomes easier to tweak writing samples you have already completed to fit different criteria. In addition to external scholarships, DePaul offers a number of opportunities you can apply for when submitting your general application. From community service scholarships to academic grants, DePaul provides a variety of ways for students to reduce the total cost of attending school. 

Another important thing to note is the importance of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through this extensive application, the government will decide how much aid they are able to offer you for your college expenses, including grants, loans, and work study opportunities. Although it is time-consuming, the FAFSA is slightly different than other applications because it allows you to include special family circumstances that may improve your eligibility of receiving aid. If this sounds like something that may benefit you, I would recommend filing your FAFSA as early as you can. 

– Aggie Kallinicou