Optimist Club of Des Plaines to Offer Free Scholarship Class

Everyone knows that college costs are skyrocketing, but when you really look at the prices, the sticker shock may just make you swoon. If a student received no financial aid of any type, the University of Notre Dame in South Bend is $53,755 annually, or a whopping $215,020 over four years.  Illinois State University comes in at $21,500 per annum or $94,100 for four years, and Oakton Community College is a bargain at $8,744 annually per U.S. News and World report.

Even with financial aid, the average student loan debt load is rapidly rising. The New York Times reported on October 18th, 2012 that the average graduate starts out their professional life with nearly $27,000 in loans outstanding.

One would think with figures like this only a mouse click away, scholarships would be competed for and every incoming student, as well as their parents would be an expert in taking advantage of every opportunity to lessen their financial burden.

However, many scholarship opportunities pass by unnoticed, many entries are rejected because of improper documentation, and filling out forms for financial aid can be a daunting process.

The Optimist Club of Des Plaines is seeking to help both future higher education students and parents maximize the available financial aid available and will present a free seminar on Saturday, November 10th from 12:30-3:30 at the Des Plaines Public Library.

Among the topics discussed will be navigating the many scholarship sites, how to complete a FAFSA form, scholarships available both familiar and obscure, and essay writing.

Questions may be directed to Ruth Del Re at ruth@libcomputer.com.