Hello FCS Subscriber! Happy New Year! We hope you had a great holiday season and got to enjoy some time with family and friends - or at least a break from school! If you made a New Year's resolution to go back to school, start looking for a school now or call a degree specialist at 866-581-2499!

FCS Newsletter wants to help you with that resolution! Get a head start on New Year by making sure you're entered in the 10k scholarship drawing on January 23. Click Here to Register

In this newsletter we'll take a look at some financial aid myths that many people still believe. Most people rely on friends, family and fellow students to get information.


5 Financial Aid Myths
Myth #1: College Is Too Expensive
A recent FCS newsletter discussed that college can be quite affordable. college is more affordable than you might think. The average annual tuition and fees for a four-year public school in 2008-09 is $6,585. Obviously there are schools that are much more expensive however you can still receive a quality education without going to the most expensive college.

Myth #2: Our Family’s Income Is Too High To Qualify For Financial Aid
Income is highly considered for financial aid eligibility however financial aid administrators also take other factors into account such as, number of family members enrolled in college and family medical expenses.

Myth #3: Bad High School Grades = No Financial Aid
Although getting into many colleges and earning scholarships requires academic excellence, most financial aid is based on financial situation and does not look at educational background. Some scholarship offers like FreeCollegeScholarships and Scholarships4Moms enter you into scholarship drawings just by providing basic contact information. No long essays or lengthy application processes are required!

Myth #4: It Will Be a Lot Cheaper to Live at Home
Although this may be a viable option for some families, be sure to calculate the costs of on-campus vs. off-campus wisely before making your decision. Take the cost of gas, parking or monthly public transportation fees into account. Also, living on campus can provide your child with many opportunities that off-campus may not such as work, extracurricular activities and networking opportunities.

Myth #5: I Need To Postpone College Enrollment In Order To Save Money
Although saving money for college is important, postponing your education might not always be the most reasonable alternative. Most educational institutions increase tuition each academic year, therefore you will get the same college degree several years down the road at a higher cost. Also, students who take a break from their schooling are less likely to enroll at a later date then students who transition directly into college.

Now that we have uncovered these financial aid myths you can apply for aid with confidence! There are many financial options out there to assist you! Don’t forget to register for the next FCS drawing on January 23rd!

That's all for this week. Do not forget to register for the January 23rd FCS scholarship drawing, and stay tuned for next week's newsletter!

Good Luck!
FCS Scholarships

In this Issue

1. FCS Scholarship
2. Myth #1
3. Myth #2
4. Myth #3
5. Myth #4
6. Myth #5
7. Jan. Drawing
8. FCS Finalist