Where do you begin? It's a basic question. The answer's usually obvious. When you take a test, you begin by reading the instructions. When you travel, you begin by studying a map.

Now think about paying for college. You need financial aid, but where do you start? Well, the answer is right down the school hallway—in the guidance counselor's office. And while you might not find all the answers there, it really is a good place to begin your search.

Think of your counselor as a source of information rather than the ultimate expert on financial aid. Most guidance offices have plenty of financial-aid information on file, in catalogs or on their computer.

If you're home-schooled, or if you attend a small private school with limited resources, you can still take advantage of the services of a public-school guidance counselor. For assistance, just call the guidance office of your local public school.

To start with, find out all you can about the two broad categories of financial aid: need-based aid and merit-based aid. Need-based aid is granted to students who would otherwise have trouble meeting college costs. Merit-based aid is granted to students based on their performance in high school. In most cases, such things as grade-point averages and test scores make up the criteria for receiving this type of aid. Be sure to ask your counselor any questions you or your parents may have about the difference between these two basic forms of financial aid.

Obtaining any kind of financial aid requires some work. Financial aid will not come looking for you. But you don't need a professional consultant to do the work; by working with your guidance counselor and other sources, you can do the searching—and the finding—on your own.

To begin the process, ask your guidance counselor for a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete this form as soon after January 1 as possible in the year in which you plan to start college. A common question is, "Should I complete the FAFSA even though I'm sure I won't qualify for any government aid?" The answer is a definite yes. Why?

Filing the FAFSA will do two main things for you:

1) It serves as an application for federal student aid—both grants and loans. (In some cases, the FAFSA also serves as an application for state need-based programs.)

2) It will determine your personal "needs analysis," using a formula to figure out just how much money you'll need to pay for college. Even if you're ineligible for federal aid, colleges often use your "needs analysis" to determine whether they can give you any type of financial aid—including work-study money and the college's own grant money.

Your guidance office should also have plenty of information from local organizations that sponsor scholarships, both need-based and merit-based. These scholarships usually have several requirements that determine your eligibility. For example, a local hospital may offer a scholarship for students interested in studying nursing or medicine. A local teachers' or principals' organization may offer scholarships for students interested in becoming teachers.

Other local forms of financial aid—like educational endowments and trusts—are sometimes offered by individuals or or-ganizations. Your counselor should have information and applications from these sources, too.

Colleges frequently send information to your guidance counselor regarding scholarships from their schools. Ask your counselor about these scholarships, and frequently check display boards that post information on such scholarships. If college representatives visit your high school, ask them about financial aid available through their specific colleges.

Your counselor may also have access to catalogs and computer software programs with financial aid information from organizations nationwide. In some computer programs, you enter data regarding your personal finances, areas of interest, planned fields of study and specific colleges that interest you. The program processes this information and provides you with a list of sources for possible aid. But then you'll need to take the next step—by writing or calling for an application. Keep in mind that you're competing with many others for these scholarships, so don't rely too much on any one source.

When meeting with your counselor to discuss college financial aid, you may have a question he or she can't answer. But your counselor should be able to direct you to someone who can answer your question—like a college financial aid administrator, who can give you specific information for his or her school. These financial aid experts are only a phone call away.

Finally, as you work with your guidance counselor on finding ways to fund your college education, remember these three points of caution:

First, your financial aid search isn't only about your first year of college. Most aid is granted on a yearly basis. FAFSA forms, for example, must be completed annually. Any need-based grants you receive will likely require you to reapply the following year. Merit-based scholarships, if granted for more than one year, often require you to maintain a certain level of performance in order to remain eligible. Don't assume that after the first year, your financial aid search is over. Also, remember that regulations and conditions of receiving grants, loans and scholarships may change from year to year: What's true today may not be true tomorrow.

Second, be wary of paying for the services of a college scholarship search. The expense may be unnecessary. Here's how college scholarship services work: You pay a certain fee, provide personal information regarding your finances and interests, and the search will give you a "guaranteed" number of financial aid sources for which you are eligible—but for which you still need to apply. Remember, it's not the money that's guaranteed, only the source. While these sources are most likely accurate and legitimate, the same information may be available, along with personal words of advice and wisdom, from your guidance counselor at no cost. Scholarship search services often operate from the same database as your counselor, using the same resources.

Third, don't expect "free money"—scholarships and grants—to be the answer to making college a reality. While it's likely that you'll receive some type of financial aid, don't count on aid to totally finance your education. Take ownership in the decision of where to go to college and how to pay for it. Be prepared to work hard, to take on jobs during the summer and school year, and if you need to borrow money, to do it sensibly. Taking responsibility, managing your time and budgeting your money are important skills to learn—and to carry with you for the rest of your life.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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