HOW TO RAISE LAST-MINUTE CASH FOR COLLEGE

Colleges are quite expensive and raising funds can be stressful especially if it’s a last minute decision to enroll. There are few quick fundraising ideas that you can incorporate to raise funds faster and these include;

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Consult with Your School

Get in touch with the financial aid office of the prospective school and explain your situation. There is a possibility that they will guide you in the right direction. For instance, they could link you up with the federal student aid administrator who can offer you financial assistance as long as you have not claimed federal grants or exceeded your loan allotment.

You might also get lucky and access grant funds that were allocated to students who decided to transfer to other schools. If you are already enrolled in the school, you can contact the school rep who could have other ideas on how to fundraise money such as through campus grants, vouchers, and emergency loans.

If you need more time to source the tuition fee, you can request the financial aid office to draft favorable payment plans that will delay the deadlines. In the meantime, you can come up with other ideas to source money.

Seek Help from Family and Friends

Family and friends are the closest people you can ask for help, and there is a higher possibility that some will be willing to help since they already know you. You might be even lucky and get someone who is willing to sponsor you. Let the people you contact know how much help you need, what the money will be used for, why the money is urgent and how you plan to pay it back.

Some may want to know if you have exhausted all other options before deciding to write you a cheque. You will be in a better position is you have already gathered some funds and you only need an additional boost.

Work Online for Cash

Working online has, in the past few years, become convenient for people looking to work part time or full time. If you already have a day job, you can create a freelancer account where you can work part-time. More so, if you don’t have any job, this is a reliable means to generate funds. The best thing about working online is that you will always find something you can work on. The rates are also considerable, and you have the freedom to regulate your working hours.

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Most online jobs include writing essays for students, and you can start by offering essay typer free services, and after gaining confidence with your clients, you can charge a fee for the services. The best thing about working online is that even after joining college, you can still work during your free time.

Consider Sourcing Help from Online Platforms

Crowdfundings are not only fun ways to raise money for charity but also for important situations such as paying college fees. It is an accessible means of raising funds, especially among the youth fundraisers. You can use social media platforms such as Facebook where you will reach distant relatives or friends who might be willing to help.

Other websites are designed purposely for connecting people with strangers who are looking for support to pursue a worthy cause. These sites include; YouCaring, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe.

To convince a stranger that you are in need of help will need more than ‘Help me pay my tuition.’ You have to prove that your education matters to you and that it’s a worthwhile investment. It is essential to explain your circumstances and how helping you will benefit them.

Seek Emergency Student Loans

You can use this strategy as a last resort. Some of the ways to secure emergency student loans include;

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

 

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Applying for these funds does not mean that you will be in debt. Instead, it is a pathway for securing grants such as the Pell Grant. Most colleges use it to determine if you qualify for the need-based aid offered by the school which includes college grants, state grants, and scholarships.

If the assessment proves that you qualify for the aid, you will have access to subsidized federal student loans and Pell Grants.  Find out when the finds will be available on your account since you might lose the chance to join the school due to late payment.

Borrow From Your School

Most colleges offer emergency loan programs. The emergency and institutional loan programs vary depending on the school and are offered to students who require financial assistance. You also have the option of negotiating a better aid package from the school.

Apply for a Private Loan

Credit institutions offer loans faster, and the interest rate depends on your credit history and debt-to-income ratio among other factors. To process your loan at a lower rate, you need to have creditworthy cosigners.

These quick fundraising ideas will enable you to secure funds before you lose a position in college due to late payment. It is advisable to plan the payment of your college on your own timeline and not your schools. Always ensure that you have the funds ready before the payment deadline to avoid rushing in the last minute. For instance, after clearing the first semester, you can start planning for the second earlier enough.

About the Author

Sandra Hayward is the best author at EduBirdie and speaker on issues related to personal finance, saving, community banks, fun community events, credit unions, and real choices for your money. She holds a Ph.D. in finance and personal relations. As a member of the board of directors in one of the renowned college, she has diversified her writing niche to cover how families can make college affordable and how to look for the right school at the right price.