Ann Marie O’Phelan - How to Go to College on a Shoe String: The Insider’s Guide to Grants, Scholarships, Cheap Books, Fellowships, and Other Financial Aid Secrets

How to Go to College on a Shoe String

The Insiders Guide to Grants, Scholarships, Cheap Books, Fellowships, and Other Financial Aid Secrets

By Ann Marie OPhelan, M.F.A.

How to go to college on a shoestring: the insiders guide to grants, scholarships, cheap books, fellowships, and other financial aid secrets.

Copyright 2008 by Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.

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ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-020-3

ISBN-1-60138-020-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

OPhelan, Ann Marie, 1960

How to go to college on a shoe string : the insiders guide to grants, scholarships, cheap books, fellowships, and other financial aid secrets / by Ann Marie OPhelan.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-020-3 (alk. paper)

ISBN-10: 1-60138-020-8 (alk. paper)

1. Student aid--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. College costs--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.

LB2337.4.O64 2008

378.3--dc22

2008007340

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Table of Contents

Dedication

The book is dedicated to the one who keeps me going, my wonderful son Justin. For W. Paul Brown for all his love and support. For my mother Mary Louise OPhelan for helping me start college in the first place. For brothers Michael, Daniel, Patrick. John, and sister Theresa who all made it through college. For my father, John, I know you would have been proud. To all of my extended family and loved ones.

Foreword

By Alex Fisher

When dreams of college are envisioned by parents and students alike, they often picture the intellectual adventure and engaging environment. These dreamers though are faced with the reality of the record-high expenses associated with higher education. The tuition is just one factor in the ever-growing list of expenses that no college student can be without. Parents must decide between the benefits of private versus public universities, housing, meal plans, technology purchases, and more. Students must also remember to be responsible with their parents investment and use their time wisely.

There is no good reason to overpay for anything when a little research and guidance can help make the burden of paying for college more manageable. This concept rings true whether you choose to pay out of pocket, compete for scholarships, or take out student loans. This book will serve as your guide for not just a frugal college education but one where a few simple tips can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

You can purchase new books from the college bookstore, or get the same used book on the Internet for up to 75% off sticker price. You can purchase a new laptop computer for $1800 from your local electronics store, or one on eBay for a thousand dollars less. You can pay the high fees for residence at a dormitory or share an apartment with friends. The financial benefits of all the latter choices far outweigh the minor sacrifice in comfort. Living on a shoestring budget means to watch your daily spending and making wise financial choices when the time arrives. There is no more excuse for losing out on free money because of a lack of knowledge. This book will be your personal guide.

I leave you with the suggestion to absorb the details of this book and innovate with your own ideas to make your college experience a thrifty yet unforgettable one.

Alex Fisher

Owner of Crown Tutoring, LLC

www.crowntutoring.com

215-825-8522

Alex Fisher is the owner and CEO of Crown Tutoring, LLC, a nationwide in-home tutoring agency. Mr. Fisher is also pursuing his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jerseys School of Osteopathic Medicine and he graduated Summa Cum Laude in Biology with Honors from Georgia State University. He balances his responsibilities as a medical student along with his role as the owner and chief decision-maker at Crown Tutoring, LLC. He began as a tutor throughout college and now employs local teachers to provide superior one-on-one tutoring in all subjects and grade levels throughout the U.S.