As a first-generation college student (in the states), my background knowledge of financial aid was extremely limited before I started college. My mother did a college program in El Salvador and was a teacher for 15 years. But college in the United States is quite different. For one, it is a whole lot more expensive. My family is lower middle-class with three children so my parents did what they could to make ends meet. I remember going with them after school as they cleaned offices following their day jobs. My siblings did not go to college, so I was left doing my own research. I made a lot of mistakes, but I did learn some valuable lessons along the way.  

Luckily, resources are available for students who may need a little extra help understanding how college works. Career Communications Group (CCG) is committed to assisting minority students with their college endeavors so they can be successful during school and beyond. Here are a few tips that will help you be financially successful during your college career.  

1. Community college is not a bad option - Let’s face it, most 17 and 18-year-olds don’t know what they want to do with the rest of their lives and why should they? You can take the same core curriculum at a community college as you can at a 4-year institution. The best part is that it’s much cheaper. Get statistics and English out of the way and it will even buy you some time to decide what field you want to study.  2.
2. Scholarships and grants – This one is particularly important for your pockets. There are scholarships available for just about everything. You don’t have to play sports to get some extra money to help ease your student loan debt. Minority students have many opportunities for scholarships and grants. Don’t forget to look at our scholarships page to see what is available to you right now.  3.
3. Apply Early - Just like applying to college, you need to apply early for financial aid. Funds are distributed on a first-come first-served basis so make sure you are at the front of the line to receive those funds. Filling out a financial aid application can be tedious so also make sure you give yourself enough time to go over every detail to assure you are filling it out properly. Free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) applications for the 2022-2023 school year are due by June 30, 2022. 4.
4. Summer Job - This one may seem like common sense but on top of making money to save for college, a summer job can provide some extra funds toward your tuition. Companies like Amazon and Capital One offer tuition reimbursement if you keep your grades above a certain benchmark. This is an excellent way to help take some of that financial weight off your shoulders.  5.
5. Consider staying home – This one goes with the community college tip. Staying home may not seem like the most glamourous option, but it can be the smartest. You can even work part-time or look for a paid internship so you can start saving. It is never too early to start planning for your future. Sometimes you must make some sacrifices, but they will surely pay off in the end.  

Being a student is already stressful so don’t let money get in the way of you shining academically. Focus on your grades because that will also help you take advantage of financial assistance programs. As mentioned before, some companies will help you pay for school if you keep your grades up. Do your research and find all the resources available to you. You never know what can be waiting for you.