The task of funding your education may seem overwhelming, but help is out there. It may be easier than you think. Use these tips to guide you through your journey.

1. Don’t Do It Alone. First find out if the massage school you plan to attend offers Federal Financial Aid and has a financial-aid department. If so, talk to a financial-aid advisor to discuss cost of tuition, financial-aid due-dates and other required documents. Financial-aid classes or workshops may be available to help you complete the necessary paperwork. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

2. Do Your Research. Visit Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education (http://studentaid.ed.gov). This Web site has informational topics such as “Understanding Federal Student Aid,” “How to apply for Federal Student Aid,” “Finding Scholarships,” “Saving for College” and “Reducing College Cost.” Also included is a link to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Web site. The FAFSA is required by colleges in order to be eligible for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.edu.gov.

3. Find the Right Funding for You.After you have completed the FAFSA and applied for scholarships and grants, or if the massage school you plan to attend does not offer Federal Financial Aid, you may need additional funding. If this is the case, you have many options. The first option: explore alternative sources for student funding. Look into community organizations, foundations and religious organizations. Some foundations and organizations have programs in place to help students who need financial help. Private student loans are also available through lenders such as Sallie Mae and Bank of America. These loans are not federally regulated and are subject to credit approval.

Types of Student Funding:
• Federal Stafford Loans
• Federal PLUS Loans
• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Federal Pell grants
• Federal Work Study
• Scholarships
• Alternative/Private Loans

As you can see, many resources are available to make your massage education feasible. It’s all about researching, planning and most important, asking for help.

Ashley McArdle was a financial-aid advisor for three years before finding her current position as marketing assistant for East West College, www.eastwestcollege.com.