Getting through college seems to be an insurmountable task especially with the current condition of the economy.  A bright career awaits our college graduates but it seems that future is put on hold because our salaries are hardly enough to pay for daily costs of living, let alone paying for college tuition.

If you do not have enough money for college, you can find alternative ways to get matriculation. There are federal government grants, left handed scholarships, and student loans to help you out. Federal grants are usually reserved to the financially challenged. These are provided at limited slots and you need to submit a lot of requirements. The best example is the Pell Grant which is granted based on Financial Need computation derived from your family’s salary and the cost of attendance.

If you want to be more independent, then take a student loan that you can pay off after college. There are 3 major categories for student loans, federally subsidized, unsubsidized sponsored by the government and private loans. There are also financial considerations that you need to meet in order to qualify but they are not as strict as federal grants. The usual interest rate is 6% and is non-negotiable. These loans are usually paid off six months to a year after you graduate or leave school, regardless if you are not finished.

Scholarships are by far the best source or student aid. There are a lot of private institutions and Universities that offer scholarships. Different types of scholarship are need based, merit based, student specific, and career specific scholarships. Every scholarship has its own requirement. Top notch jocks are offered full scholarships for their contribution in the school’s academic program. Intelligent students are awarded scholarships for their academic capabilities. But other than traditional scholarships, there are weird scholarships as well.

Weird scholarships are based on unusual traits or skills. There are duck calling, skate board, potato industry, duct tape and left handed scholarships. Weird as they come, there are a lot if you browse the web and they give a good deal of tuition money.