Prepare early if you are considering higher education and are not already attending (or planning to attend in the next few months). Consider attending a community college for two years, which is ideal for saving money over a two-year period. If you are still in high school, consider taking additional classes, advanced placement classes or summer classes to reduce the number of required classes at college and improve grades. Some higher education institutions offer excellence scholarships or additional financial aid to students with aptitude for a subject or good grades.
Ensure you fully research all scholarships available, charitable organizations supporting students and financial aid provided by higher education institutions. The International Education Financial Aid website and Student Scholarship Search provide comprehensive databases of United States higher education scholarships. Create a list of scholarships you may be eligible for and apply no matter the sum available. If you are already attending college or university and in financial difficulty, you may still be eligible for financial aid.
Check with previous employers, clubs, societies or organizations you are affiliated with, as well as your family's employers or memberships. Some organizations are often interested in investing in their members. For example, local communities may provide financial aid to students in their area, or some charitable organizations may provide financial aid to members of a specific community, organization or career track.
Budget your monthly income if you are already at university or college and have exhausted all forms of funding. Calculate your monthly income from student loans or other financial aid sources and subtract all necessities from the total figure (for example, monthly bills and rent). Set an amount aside for food shopping, recreation or anything else you normally require funds for throughout the month. Ensure you are left with a reasonable amount per month and, if not, deduct funds from other resources (i.e., recreation or shopping budget). Set aside money for each monthly expenditure and create a separate bank account for savings.