So you want some money for college/to get published/ just want money? We're sorry, but you'll have to keep looking.

I really wish the Women Writers' magazine could offer money-- but right now, most of us on the site are still poor starving students too. We are not a big commercial enterprise with money to burn!!!! If you write me a letter requesting money, I will not answer you-- I don't have enough time or money to spend on my own college career, let alone anyone else's.    

But there are places a student can get help on this-- the first place you should go is your guidance counselor, and your English teacher. That's what they are paid for and they may know specific grants/scholarships that are exclusive to your town, or situation. Even if they seem unavailable, be assertive. As an old friend from Alabama used to say "It's a poor dog that won't wag its own tail." Get out there, wag your tail, tell people you need help or that you are worth listening to. It's your life so take charge of it.

Personal attention should be best... but sometimes, as the Editor remembers from her own high school days, the help that gets offered isn't as helpful as one might desire. So try the college you're applying to-- they have forms for financial aid, (the Free Federal Financial Aid form is how you get grants, and each University usually has special forms for scholarships-- check their Financial Aid page, or call them).

Otherwise, to get money for college, you have to just search, and search, and search, just like everything else. Some employers, the big companies, offer scholarships for their employees. Check with your manager if you suspect the company you work for might be "big enough." If you don't work for somebody big, and want to explore this as an option, go fill out an application! It's worth a shot.