I Am Empowered - I am the National Urban League

Anna Cuevas is the National Urban League's new Consumer Advocate, as part of our 2015 Financial Empowerment series. Learn more about Anna here.

With college acceptance letters starting to roll in, it is time to figure out how you will fund higher education. The expense college is a concern for many, and it's one that often determines which school a student can afford to attend. While most financial aid awards are based on the FAFSA application, there are ways students can find additional aid or receive more than guidelines suggest.

1. Ask the colleges of your choice to match or beat the tuition at other schools. This works for students who excel academically or otherwise. Colleges and universities want to recruit honor students and high achievers. Explain (in writing) why you want to attend the school(s) of your choice and ask them to meet or beat the tuition and fees charged by other colleges who are also seeking your admission.
    
2. Point out any changes in income or assets since you completed the FAFSA. If you’ve experienced job loss or other change in income, schools can and will take that into account when calculating your award. Other circumstances include gaining a dependent, such as a parent, grandparent, or custody of another child since you completed the FAFSA. Major illnesses or disabilities, death, and even a divorce that affect income and assets are also changes you should report.
   
3. Meet with a financial aid officer and explain finances that are not addressed on the FAFSA. This could include medical bills for surgeries or illnesses. If your family is supporting an elderly relative or contributing to their care, these costs can modify your award. Note that you will need to provide documentation of these expenses.
    
4. Apply for grants. In addition to federal grants, such as the PELL grant, colleges have their own grants, funded by associations, businesses, or other entities. Apply for any and all that you qualify for and inquire about any new grants that may have become available.
    
5. Apply for scholarships. The beauty of scholarships and grants is that most do not need to be repaid. There are many scholarships, based on interests, achievements, majors, and even children of military parents, members of certain organizations, and those who work in specific industries. Ask for a complete list of all scholarships offered at the college and apply for federal and private scholarships to maximize your awards.
    
6. Submit all applications early or by the deadline. The early bird gets the worm, and submitting your FAFSA late can result in a smaller award. Deadlines for scholarships and grants are generally very firm, and late submissions will not be considered. Know that colleges and universities receive a set amount of financial aid funding that is distributed to eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis. The later you complete your FAFSA and submit financial aid paperwork, the less likely that you will receive full benefits. Also, don't forget to double-check your entries; mistakes on your FAFSA can cause delays in processing and may result in reduced aid.
    
7. Take advantage of tuition tax credits. While these credits don’t constitute money that’s applied directly toward college tuition, they minimize the income tax liability for the taxpayer, and may result in a larger refund. This money can then be applied to tuition and fees, reducing the amount the student owes.
    
8. Consider other forms of financial aid. The government offers student employment and work-study to help offset college costs. The Federal Work Study Program is a form of financial aid through which students can work at their educational institution on a part-time basis and receive wages. Hours are set and limited so that they don't interfere with students' ability to succeed in their classes and also because each post-secondary institution receives limited funding from the government. There are conditions and restrictions to the program. To apply and learn more, visit your college's financial aid office. As an added benefit, some student workers who obtain a position in their area of study are recognized by professors and chairs, and as a result, are recommended for scholarships and grants in future academic years. Learn more about the Federal Work Study Program here.

These are eight ways to go beyond FAFSA to maximize your financial aid award amount. While they may not all be effective, each has the ability to reduce your college tuition obligation and the debt you'll incur for a post-secondary education.