Don’t allow rising tuition costs to scare you away from ensuring your child receives the best college education possible. There are a host of scholarships and grants available for students who are diligent in their studies. If your child isn’t an athletic star or doesn’t have an artistic talent, the best place to start is with his or her guidance counselor. Be mindful that the majority of students are utilizing this method, so the earlier you inquire about academic scholarships, the better.

Parents should reserve time as soon as possible to complete the financial aid application for the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be submitted electronically. The FAFSA application period for the 2008-09 school year is from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, (www.fafsa.ed.gov). It’s imperative that you have your income tax return readily available when you set up the account because very specific line-item questions will need to be answered.

Parents should be wary of scholarship scams. A general rule is that you usually aren’t required to pay an application fee to qualify for a college scholarship or loan. In the event that a request is made for payment, you should find out what the fee covers and if refunds are available. This information should be in writing to protect your interests.

If your child maintains a 4.0 grade point average, you are at an advantage. However, you shouldn’t rest on your laurels because the field is quite competitive for these lucrative scholarships. Check with the financial aid office at the student’s desired institutions, as they may offer full tuition scholarships that are specific to their programs.

Students with average grades shouldn’t fret — there are funding opportunities available for their educations as well. The selection criteria for these scholarships weigh attributes like involvement in community service and extracurricular activities. The best sources of information are www.finaid.org, www.collegeparents.org and www.fastweb.com, the latter has the largest and most frequently updated database of scholarships. Don’t let time slip away; it’s time to start securing money for your child’s college education. -malibu jones

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