Did you know that many scholarships disappear after freshman year? Make sure that the scholarship is renewable each year for 4 years to cover you throughout your undergraduate education.

Here are some red flags to watch for:

  1. One-time scholarships for visiting the college campus or interviewing with admissions officers
  2. Others require that you maintain a certain GPA or other codes of conduct
  3. Colleges could replace a grant (free money) with a loan after freshman year when the students have higher federal student loan limits
  4. Family finances change: siblings graduate from college or move out of the family home (increases parents’ ability to pay)

With a 4-year undergraduate degree costing between $100K-$300K, make sure that you can afford to complete your education BEFORE you start. Meet with your financial aid officer to discuss your financial aid offer. Because college tuition increases about 3% each year, consider how you plan to pay for tuition, room and board, and other expenses.

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