You've made the college choice. Now you're wondering how you'll pay for it. So, we asked students from Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee, for their advice on finding enough cash to support a Christian college education. Start early, at least by your junior year. I didn't do that and found that a lot of scholarships and grants had already been taken. If you start early, there will be more opportunities and money available to you. —Aldith Seraphin, sophomore I didn't consider applying for national scholarships because I didn't think I had a chance. But when I came to college I found out that my roommate received a scholarship from the Tylenol Company. So, don't limit yourself. Go after anything and everything that you're eligible for. —Kristen Speak, senior I looked for interest-free or low-interest loans to help cover some of the costs. Some lenders even allow you to wait six to nine months after you graduate from college to start paying them back. I also found a flexible part-time job that helped me save some more money. —Angela Swaim, junior I started my search by visiting my guidance counselor. She told me which scholarships I'd be eligible for and how to go about applying for them. We continued meeting throughout my senior year. I really appreciated the time she gave me. —Evan Patrick, senior Don't be lazy like I was. My mom had a huge stack of scholarship applications for me to fill out and send in, but I didn't take her advice and just let the deadlines pass. That's something I definitely regret. —Warren McCrickard, junior Go after the small scholarships. Sometimes the smaller ones are easier to apply for and there might even be more than one winner. You probably have a better chance of getting a few of those and letting them accumulate. —Rachel Ledbetter, junior My grandparents gave me some money that I put into savings early on. That money has now gained interest and is helping me pay for my education. So, I'd suggest saving whatever you can. And even ask your parents for advice and suggestions on how to best make those decisions. —Mitch Scott, sophomore I found that being involved in high school with clubs, sports, community service and even church can help you find more scholarship opportunities. Good grades help, but having a variety of activities to put on a scholarship application shows you are a well-rounded person. —Amanda Diefendorf, senior I would search the Web. Some sites on the Internet even ask you about your likes and dislikes, so they can find scholarships that match your interests and activities. You can even sign up to receive e-mail reminders about scholarship deadlines. —Christy Smith, junior Don't overlook your own church as a resource. My church turned out to be very helpful and generous. Members of the mission board at my church knew how much I wanted to go to a Christian school and eventually be a teacher. So, they decided to support me both with money and with prayer. —Katie Lloyd, senior Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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