May 01, 2020 04:18 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Obtaining a higher education can have life-changing results, put us on a different path, and open up a world of opportunities. 

However, it's often a missed opportunity for many due to a lack of funding. If that's you, you're probably thinking yep I know, this is nothing new, it's the system, and you'd be right. Tuition is expensive, but there are ways and means of securing funding that could turn what might now seem like an impossible dream into a reality.  

So, how do you obtain the required funding needed to pay for a life-changing education?

Below are some suggestions, and depending upon your circumstances, they might help you find the answer.

1. Research and Apply for a scholarship.

Gaining a scholarship is the most commonly used approach for obtaining financial aid, both for studying at home and abroad. Today billions of dollars' worth of scholarships are available, but knowing which one is right for you can be confusing.

One scholarship is very different from the next, and an excellent place to find relevant information is by searching a database of scholarships, you should also ask your school if they offer study scholarships. Here is a quick list of what types are available.

Merit-based scholarships:

Are awarded by large corporations, universities, and by the state government, based on a range of criteria such as affiliations with various groups, academic achievements, talents, and career aspirations.

Specific scholarships:

 Are mostly awarded to students based on ethnic minority background situations or family affiliations. 

Need-based scholarships (grants):

Also known as gift aid, they are awarded based on financial circumstances or physical and mental disabilities. There's more information regarding state aid funding in section 3.  

2. Apply for Federal Student Aid

The US Department of education gives out grants, work-study funds, and loans to any household within the USA, earning below $250,000 per year. It is the largest single provider of student financial aid in America, and anyone who meets the requirements can apply and avail of educational funding.

Students who complete the free application for federal state aid (FAFSA) can qualify for up to $30,000. The application process is free and only requires that students provide family tax returns and bank statements to prove that they are below the income threshold. Once approved, students can contact any school they are interested in attending and provide their FAFSA information. 

3. Apply for State Aid

If FAFSA refuses your application for funding, there is another option. Free state aid (financial assistance) is also available in the form of grants and scholarships. Each state has their own application requirements and process for assisting. One prerequisite is you have to be living in the same location for over five years, for more information, search websites like the state grant agency.

4. Consider a Loan 

There are options when it comes to seeking a loan to finance your studies, but do your homework before deciding as some have flat or low-interest rates. In contrast, others will charge you more interest than what you originally borrowed. 

You can either apply for a student loan or a personal loan. The difference between the two is the qualification requirements, application process, and repayment schedule. 

Student loans:

Student loans are available from numerous institutions, and some of the best student loan companies offer low-interest rates, and you can defer repayment until after graduation. 

You can apply for a student loan from either a student loan company, a bank or the government. If you use a bank, you will need a guarantor (parent or legal professional) due to a lack of credit history. This type of loan will come with standard interest rate, while student loan companies and
++++government loans are generally more affordable.

Personal loans:

Personal loans are usually easier to get than student loans; however, they do not offer the same low-interest rates, nor do they allow you to defer repayment, meaning that you will have to start repayments while studying. You could then be looking at having to subsidize the loan repayments by getting a part-time job. 

That leads you to your next option.

5. Secure a Part-Time Job 

Working while studying might not be everyone's first choice. But it can be an excellent way of earning extra income to either cover additional curriculum costs or help pay back any tuition loans.

There are numerous part-time employment options available to you, some on-campus, and others that enable you to work from your phone!

Here are some ideas:

• Work-study - These on-campus positions are flexible and designed to fit with your schoolwork.

• House/pet sitting -This is a great way to earn cash and study at the same time. 

• Driver - Driving part-time for companies like Uber or Lyft is a flexible option and one that mostly takes place at weekends.

• Outsource your skill - You can use a site such as TaskRabbit and Airtasker and advertise your availability for a vast range of manual jobs. 

• Social Media Guru - Take an end to end Instagram marketing course on a platform such as HubSpot and advertise your skills to small businesses on Fiverr. 

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