Get money for college

Bridge the gap between college financial aid and financial reality with the right scholarship or loan.

1. Find scholarships and grants you don’t have to pay back.

• Use this scholarship finder to search Sallie Mae’s database of more than 3.5 million scholarships.

2. Explore federal student loans. Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

3. If you need more money for college, get educated about these Oregon State Credit Union options:

• Sallie Mae Smart Option Student loans - Ideal for helping pay for college expenses not covered by scholarships or federal loans.

• Home equity line of credit (HELOC) - Attractive variable interest rate, flexible money access.

• Personal line of credit (PLOC) - Like a credit card, offering “revolving” convenience, but you don't have to deal with a card and there's no need to reapply when you need extra cash.

• Visa credit cards - Options include a no-annual-fee Visa® Value credit card or a Visa Rewards credit card that earns points.

Article: Tips to deal with scholarship shortfalls

Read article | Scholarship award displacement

This article reveals a common problem faced by students who receive their financial aid letter and find that their institutional aid has been reduced because of private scholarships. It may seem like there's nothing that can be done, but it's not over yet. See three tips to address the situation.