Robin Buhler’s Year Off
from Paying Tuition
As a high school senior, Robin Buhler, a freshman majoring in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus, set a goal – a year of “free” tuition. Here’s how he found the money.
Applied for
I applied for more than 30 scholarships and grants, from local high school and community scholarships to national scholarships through corporations such as Wal-Mart.
Received
I received 15 scholarships and six grants. Scholarships ranged from Wal-Mart and Burger King to local schools and country clubs, as well as a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. I received an Early Filer grant and other university grants.
What I did
During my senior year, I visited my guidance counselor once a week to pick up new scholarships. I also used the internet to find scholarships, mainly from www.erau.edu/er/financialaid/scholarshipopen.html, the page Embry-Riddle provides.
Getting creative
I actually went out and visited offices and other local businesses to ask if they would help further the education of a student – me. Most of the time this did not work, but it was worth a try. I spent time traveling to community centers, schools, and other education centers to search for extra money. I did not just sit around expecting the money to appear under my nose. I went out to find it, because this is the real world and money usually does not find you.
Helping hands
My guidance counselor, Connie Welsch, knew I’d be thrilled by every opportunity to get my hands on a new scholarship, so she let me know when a new one was available. My financial aid counselor at Embry-Riddle, Adrienne Ravizzoli, also motivated me by showing me websites I hadn’t yet discovered.
The difference
Students believe they are one of millions applying for a scholarship and their chances are slim. This is not true at all. I just did not consider this mentality, and I applied for everything I could. I received national scholarships from Wal-Mart and Burger King, believing I did not have a chance. Students need to apply for everything they can, despite the stress involved. It will pay off in the long run, like the one year of completely paid tuition that I achieved for my freshman year.
Tips for students
- Go to your high school guidance counselor and set up a plan and goals (say, a year of free tuition).
- Think of what you need to do to accomplish these goals. Compose an essay that can be used for most of your scholarships with minor revisions. Compile a résumé with the help of a teacher or counselor.
- Find scholarships.
- Apply for FAFSA early, for more money and grants.
- Apply for grants.
- When you’ve done everything you can, find small scholarships you can complete without stress. Fill them out even if you think you don’t qualify, because maybe you do.
- As a last resort, take out a loan at a preferred creditor your college approves, to pay for the rest of your tuition.
Parting words
Please don’t give up. College financial aid seems intimidating, which is exactly why you should grab it by the horns, because everyone else thinks that way, giving you a better chance of getting more aid. Just try your hardest, because it will pay off in the end! I was in your shoes, and I made it through. There is no reason you can’t.
|
