Month: June 2025

Have you ever looked at the cost of tuition and just… laughed? Not the funny kind. The what-on-earth-am-I-supposed-to-do-with-this kind. You’re not alone.

College has become a high-stakes game of money, timing, and knowing where to look, and let’s be honest, most of us were never taught the rules. But here’s the thing: the game is winnable. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely doable. And not just for straight-A students or valedictorians with trust funds. We’re talking about you the one juggling classes, a job, and possibly family responsibilities, yet still pushing forward.

So let’s break it down. Not with generic advice or glossy brochure lingo, but real talk, real strategies, and a little nuance that most guides miss.

The Real Cost of College (Hint: It’s Not Just Tuition)

Sticker price? Misleading. A lot like buying concert tickets, what you see upfront doesn’t reflect what you’ll actually pay once the fees, dorm costs, books, and late-night burrito runs are added.

At a place like Alabama State University, for instance, tuition may appear reasonable at first glance. But throw in room and board, textbooks (don’t even get me started on textbook pricing), and transportation, and suddenly, that “affordable” year feels like a down payment on a house.

What’s worse? Many students assume that financial aid will cover everything. It doesn’t. At least, not unless you’re strategic.

So, What Can You Do?

1.      Get Creative with Scholarships

Here’s a secret most students overlook: scholarships aren’t just for athletes or valedictorians. In fact, some of the best ones are hiding in plain sight based on your story, not your stats.

Let’s say you’ve done volunteer work, mentored peers, or helped out at your local church or food bank. That’s golden. There are scholarships honoring community service that are looking for applicants like you. These are often less competitive as well because fewer people apply.

A client once told me she snagged three community service-based scholarships just by submitting the same core essay with slight tweaks. One was offered by a local foundation that her school counselor barely mentioned. So don’t rely on Google alone; dig through your school’s financial aid office, ask local civic groups, and definitely don’t ignore those late-night email blasts from the university. One of them might be offering Alabama State University scholarships for which you qualify and didn’t know existed.

Bonus tip? Look for scholarship programs specifically designed for HBCU students, particularly those focused on underrepresented fields such as STEM, the arts, or public policy. Many of these aren’t widely advertised, but they exist.

And if you’re a first-gen college student? Even more opportunities, especially scholarships for minority students tied to leadership or academic grit.

2.      Apply for Grants Like Your Future Depends on It (Because It Does)

Grants are the holy grail of financial aid money you don’t have to pay back. Federal Pell Grants are a starting point, but they’re not the endgame. Consider applying for state and institutional grants, especially if you’re attending schools like ASU.

Pro tip? Some grants quietly expire if you don’t apply early. Don’t wait until the FAFSA deadline gets in as soon as applications open. That “first come, first served” phrase? Totally applies here.

3.      Work Smarter, Not Just Harder

Let’s address the side hustle culture. Yes, part-time work can help, especially if it’s on-campus or tied to your major. But stacking 30 hours at Chick-fil-A on top of full-time classes? Not sustainable. (Unless your superpower is functioning on 3 hours of sleep.)

Instead, look for paid internships, even unpaid ones, that could lead to stipends or connections. Some programs, especially in business or media, offer stipends through your school’s career center. That’s money and a resume builder.

FAFSA: It’s Not Just Bureaucratic Torture

Okay, it kind of is. But it’s still essential.

Even if you think your parents make too much. Even if you’re not sure, you’ll qualify. Even if your friend said, “It’s not worth it.” (Your friend is wrong.)

FAFSA opens doors to federal loans (which are safer than private ones), work-study gigs, and institutional aid. You may also need it for certain scholarships, even private ones.

And just so we’re clear: federal loans offer way more flexibility and protections than private ones. Need a pause on payments? Lower interest rates? Forgiveness options for those entering public service? That’s federal territory.

The Value of a Degree It’s Bigger Than Salary

Now, this part isn’t about spreadsheets. It’s about what you want to build.

A college degree is still one of the most powerful tools for upward mobility. According to a 2023 study by Georgetown University, college graduates earn, on average, $1 million more over their lifetimes than high school graduates.

But let’s go beyond that. College is where you meet collaborators, mentors, and maybe even future business partners. It’s where you mess up, learn from it, and figure out what kind of impact you want to have in the world.

One of my closest friends, now a nonprofit director, started as a journalism major at an HBCU. She found her path not in the classroom but through a campus leadership role funded by a minority student scholarship she almost didn’t apply for.

Final Thought: You Have More Power Than You Think

Frankly, most guides get this wrong. They focus on what students lack: money, access, and knowledge. But I’ve worked with enough students to know that you’re resilient. You adapt. You hustle. You find a way.

Yes, tuition is climbing. Yes, it can feel overwhelming. However, the path is still available through community service-based scholarships, timely FAFSA applications, strategic internships, and asking the right questions, even when you’re afraid to appear uninformed.

Don’t let the cost of education define your story. Use it as a springboard.

Your journey doesn’t have to be perfect. Just real. And yours.

You might be wondering, between cramming for finals, juggling work-study hours, and trying to have some semblance of a social life, where on earth does volunteering fit in?

That is a totally fair question.

But here’s what most people miss about community service in college: it’s not just a line on a resume or a checkbox for those community service-based scholarships. It’s a mirror, a bridge, and, if you let it, a bit of a compass.

Let me explain.

It’s Not Just Extra Credit. It’s Exposure.

One of the first things I did during my freshman year at Alabama State was help with a weekend clean-up project in Montgomery. I didn’t go because I was particularly noble. Truth be told, I was promised free food and the chance to avoid a dorm room that smelled like ramen and gym socks.

However, something unexpected happened while we were picking up trash along the creek. I met a local teacher who shared with me the challenges her students faced. Lack of access to basic school supplies. No after-school music programs. Some hadn’t ever been to a live performance, let alone owned an instrument.

And just like that, boom. My music major had a mission. That Saturday changed how I thought about what I was learning and why it mattered.

That’s the thing about community engagement. It gives you context. It snaps your goals into focus.

The Skills You Don’t Learn in Lecture Halls

Here’s something your future employer won’t find on your transcript: how you handled a last-minute event cancellation or navigated a tense moment between two volunteers who didn’t see eye to eye.

But those moments? Gold. That’s where you build leadership. Empathy. Grit.

A 2023 Gallup report actually found that students who engage in community service develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills, and they’re more likely to land meaningful jobs within six months of graduation.

So, if you’ve ever wondered whether helping run a campus food drive or tutoring local high schoolers actually matters? It does. In ways that LinkedIn endorsements can’t quite capture.

Oh, And the Connections Are Wildly Underrated

Let’s talk networking. Not the awkward kind with name tags and lukewarm coffee. The real kind, where you volunteered with someone’s cousin who runs a creative agency in Atlanta.

Whether you’re at a volunteer concert in Birmingham or mentoring high schoolers through a university-led literacy initiative, every handshake or shared task can spark something unexpected. I’ve seen students connect with internship leads, community organizers, and even future co-founders, all because they showed up to lend a hand.

Honestly? It beats any career fair.

Finding Your Lane in a Noisy World

Community engagement isn’t one-size-fits-all. It shouldn’t be. You’re allowed to choose a path that aligns with your major and your passion.

Are you studying business? Host a workshop on budgeting for high school seniors. Or help a local nonprofit streamline its marketing strategy. Boom service and portfolio.

Into music? Volunteer to teach basic guitar at a youth center. Or perform at a fundraiser for a community org. It’s not about sacrifice. It’s synergy.

And yes, these kinds of efforts can unlock scholarship programs for HBCU students, especially those that emphasize leadership or innovation tied to service. The same applies to scholarships for minority students that recognize making an impact beyond academics.

Want to know what’s even better? ASU and many other institutions offer financial aid for ASU students that is tied directly to your involvement on campus or in your local community. That includes Alabama State University scholarships that quietly prioritize applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to real-world service, not just grades.

So, How Do You Fit It In?

Let’s be honest. Time is the currency no one warns you about in college.

You don’t have to clock 20 hours a week to make an impact. Even small, consistent contributions matter more than grand gestures. Join a student-led service group that meets monthly. Offer to teach one free music class a week. Write letters to seniors. Advocate for voting rights. Pick a lane. Go steady.

And here’s a wild thought: reflect on it. Not just for your scholarship essays (though trust me, those scholarships honoring community service will love it), but for yourself. Journal about what surprised you. What challenged you? What changed in you?

Because that’s where the real growth happens.

Final Word? Service Isn’t an Obligation. It’s a Legacy.

Frankly, most college guides get this wrong. They treat community engagement as an afterthought. Something you sprinkle in when you have time. However, the truth is that giving back enriches your time. It gives it meaning. Structure. Direction.

And when you leave college, whether it’s with honors or a few scrapes, what people remember isn’t just the GPA. It’s the impact.

So yeah, giving back matters. Not because you’re expected to. But because the world needs what you have to offer, your skills, your voice, your compassion.

And if, along the way, you earn a few community service-based scholarships, find your calling, or spark a movement?

Well. That’s just the bonus.

You show up on campus with two suitcases, an awkward smile, and the vague hope that you’ll figure it all out. Perhaps you’ve been raised in church every Sunday since infancy, or maybe your spiritual compass is still finding its way. Either way, the college will administer the test.

That’s not a threat. It’s just… truth.

Between the 3 a.m. cram sessions, roommate drama, and low-key existential questions whispered into your pillow at night, faith doesn’t always feel like a top priority. You might even wonder if it’s supposed to evolve or if it’s slipping through your fingers entirely.

But faith, when nurtured, can be your strongest anchor. A quiet strength. A lens that helps you make sense of the noise, the pressure, the unknown.

Strangely enough, it can even help you earn community service-based scholarships or land that resume-boosting opportunity you didn’t see coming. But we’ll get to that.

Why Spiritual Roots Matter When Life’s Moving Fast

Let’s start with the obvious: college is overwhelming. Independence hits hard. So, does that first fail the quiz?

Faith? It gives you a place to land. Or at least somewhere to sit still.

According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, students who regularly engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, mindfulness, or involvement in a religious community report higher levels of emotional resilience and lower levels of anxiety.

It’s not magic. It’s rhythm. Reflection. Ritual. Having one corner of your life that doesn’t revolve around deadlines or GPA.

When Ethics Get Real

You’re going to be faced with moments that don’t show up on the syllabus.

A friend cheats on an exam and asks you to stay quiet. A professor makes a comment that clashes with everything you believe. A group project turns into a minefield of conflicting values.

And you? You’ve got to decide who you are without a parent or pastor whispering the answers.

That’s where a strong spiritual foundation becomes more than a theory. It becomes a compass.

One student I mentored at ASU told me she’d leaned on her faith to help navigate an internship offer from a company whose values didn’t sit right with her. She turned it down. Took a different, unpaid opportunity working with a nonprofit that aligned with her faith and academic interests. That led to a research grant. And eventually, one of those coveted Alabama State University scholarships was tied to leadership and service.

The road wasn’t obvious. But her convictions gave her clarity. And clarity, let me tell you, is the rare currency in college.

Faith Isn’t Meant to Be Solo

It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one praying between classes or reading sacred texts while others scroll TikTok. But you’re not.

Campus ministries. Interfaith councils. Chaplain’s offices. They’re all real. And they’re more welcoming than you’d think.

Whether you’re Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, or somewhere in between (or still exploring), there’s a pocket of community waiting. These aren’t perfect places, but they’re often where the most honest conversations happen, where you can wrestle with doubts without being dismissed.

And guess what? These communities often lead to scholarship programs for HBCU students that reward active participation in faith-based service or moral leadership. Not to mention scholarships honoring community service that recognize your spiritually driven outreach work.

Make Space for the Sacred (Even If It’s Just 5 Minutes)

You don’t need to start every day with incense and a sunrise. But carve out something.

Maybe it’s a few lines in a journal. A whispered prayer on the walk to class. A pause before meals. Stillness before sleep.

Faith, like a muscle, needs repetition to stay strong.

If you’re musically inclined, sing your prayers. If you’re analytical, study scripture like a puzzle. If you process through movement, take walks, and listen. Your path to spiritual connection doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to be yours.

Faith in Action = Legacy in Motion

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: your beliefs don’t have to stay in your head or heart. You can live them out.

Tutor middle schoolers. Serve in a soup kitchen. Start a campus club that champions justice and mentors first-generation students. When your faith fuels your service, it’s not just meaningful; it’s transformative. It’s impactful.

Many scholarships for minority students recognize leadership through community impact, particularly when it is grounded in consistent values and principles. At ASU, for instance, financial aid for ASU students often links to involvement in service projects tied to personal convictions. You’re not just giving back. You’re investing in yourself spiritually and practically.

The Tension is Real. That’s Okay.

Let’s not pretend college is easy on faith. You’ll meet brilliant people who see the world in entirely different ways. You’ll read books that challenge everything you thought you knew. You’ll have days when belief feels like an old sweater that no longer fits.

That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you alive.

Faith isn’t about having every answer locked in a glass case. It’s about asking better questions. And trusting that it’s okay to grow, stretch, doubt, and return.

Final Thought: Faith Is More Than Belief—It’s a Way of Being

Frankly, most guides treat spirituality in college like an elective, optional, sweet, but not essential. That’s nonsense.

If you choose to prioritize your spiritual health, it will shape how you study, how you serve, who you date, what you build, and why you get out of bed.

And if you ever forget that? Just look around. Your campus, your community, and even your scholarship applications are full of signs pointing back to that quiet truth: your soul matters.

More than your resume. More than your major. More than whatever title you’re chasing.

So take care of it. Feed it. Fight for it. Because you weren’t just called to college. You were called to become.

You can ace every exam, quote Kotler in your sleep, or sight-read Bach without blinking, but if you’ve never sat in on a boardroom brainstorm or seen what chaos really looks like backstage before a live show… you’re still just playing in the sandbox.

Not that theory isn’t important. It is. But let’s be real: no one hires a pianist because they’ve written a paper on tempo rubato. And no startup wants a marketing intern who’s never opened a Google Analytics dashboard.

Practical experience isn’t extra credit. It’s the main course.

The Resume Can’t Fake This

Here’s what nobody tells you in your sophomore seminar: degrees open doors, but experience keeps them open.

Employers don’t just want to know what you know. They want to see how you move in the wild. Can you adapt when the client changes the brief mid-project? Do you freeze when the mic cuts during a live set? Can you manage deadlines and personalities effectively without feeling overwhelmed?

A 2023 NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) report found that 91% of employers prefer candidates with at least one internship. Not “hopeful,” not “neutral,” preferred. Because real-world exposure builds grit, it shows initiative. It teaches you how to sweat through ambiguity and still deliver.

Business Majors: Stop Waiting for “The Right Job”

Let’s say you’re majoring in business at Alabama State University. You dream of running a consultancy or heading operations at a nonprofit. That’s great. But unless you’ve actually seen how a campaign runs or, better yet, helped steer it, your ideas are just that: ideas.

The good news? You’ve got options. Marketing firms. Local banks. ASU’s very own student-run ventures. Even volunteering with budget management for a community service event can unlock unexpected doors (and sometimes lead to community service-based scholarships if you document your impact).

Pro tip: Don’t get too excited about the “perfect” internship. Start where you are. That budget spreadsheet you updated for a small event? It teaches you real-world Excel skills. And humility.

Music Majors: Performance Is Just the Beginning

Now, let’s talk music.

Most people assume music majors live for the stage. And sure, performance is a rush. But beyond the applause lies a whole universe of music careers: production, event planning, teaching, therapy, and arts administration. Roles that pay the bills and nourish your passion.

One of my students, let’s call him Devon, thought he’d end up teaching high school band. Then he interned at a local recording studio, and boom, his world cracked open. He’s now mixing soundtracks for indie films and mentoring teens on the side. That experience didn’t just redirect his career. It provided him with talking points for his scholarship programs for HBCU students’ applications, which he successfully addressed.

So yes, play the notes. But also learn what goes into building the stage they’re played on.

Where to Find These Opportunities (They’re Closer Than You Think)

If you’re still reading, you might be thinking: “Alright, but how do I even find these gigs?”

Fair question.

Start at your school’s career services, yes, even if their website looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2009. Ask professors. Check industry-specific boards. Reach out to alumni on LinkedIn (seriously, most people love talking about themselves). And don’t underestimate word-of-mouth: your cousin’s friend might be managing a theater that needs help. Ask.

Additionally, if you’re a student of color or attending an HBCU, there are scholarships and internship programs specifically designed for you. Many of these programs combine mentorship, professional experience, and financial aid for ASU students, helping to offset unpaid or underpaid opportunities.

Because yes, your time deserves compensation. But sometimes, the payoff isn’t just cash. It’s clarity.

Make the Most of It (Or Don’t Bother)

Landing the internship is only the first step. Once you’re in, show up. On time. Prepared. Curious.

Ask questions. Offer ideas. Take notes. And don’t just do what’s asked, do one thing no one expected. That’s how you turn a placeholder internship into a reference letter or even a job offer.

Oh, and follow up. Thank them. Stay in touch. A good relationship might open a door years down the line.

Final Thought: This Isn’t About Experience—It’s About Becoming

Frankly, most blogs treat internships like a checkbox for future employment. I think that’s a load of fluff.

Internships aren’t just practice. Their transformation.

They’re where you learn the things professors can’t teach you: how to navigate people, handle failure, bounce back, and keep your cool when the power cuts mid-show, and the audience is already seated.

And guess what? Those moments, those scars, those improvisations, they’re the ones that stick with you. They shape how you lead, collaborate, and trust yourself.

So yes, get the degree. But don’t stop there. Step outside the classroom. Into the real. Into the hard. Into the beautifully messy business of becoming who you’re meant to be.

And if you’re lucky? Maybe you’ll get a few Alabama State University scholarships out of it.

 

You might be wondering, with all the big-name schools out there, why choose a Historically Black College or University?

It’s a fair question, especially when glossy brochures and U.S. News rankings don’t always tell the full story. But HBCUs? They don’t just educate. They ignite.

They carve out a space built by necessity, shaped by resilience, and powered by a legacy for students to grow not just in intellect but in identity. In belonging. In purpose. That’s something you don’t quite get from reading a syllabus.

A Living, Breathing History That Still Speaks

Let’s back up.

HBCUs were born in the face of exclusion. When Black students were denied entry into mainstream institutions, these colleges opened their doors not just to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic but to nurture visionaries who would go on to lead revolutions in boardrooms, courtrooms, and concert halls.

And while yes, the world has changed, the mission hasn’t lost its edge. If anything, it’s sharper now.

Today, more than 100 HBCUs continue to offer not just opportunity, but intention. A 2021 UNCF report found that while HBCUs make up only 3% of U.S. colleges, they produce almost 20% of all Black graduates. And when it comes to Black professionals in fields like education, medicine, and STEM? HBCUs punch well above their weight.

This reminds me of something an alum from Alabama State once told me:

“We didn’t just learn to succeed. We learned how to carry our people with us when we did.”

That right there? You can’t quantify it. But you feel it.

Where Mentorship Isn’t a Buzzword

Here’s the thing most folks get wrong when they talk about HBCUs: they reduce the experience to either “cultural comfort” or “historic pride.” Don’t get me wrong, both matter. But they miss the middle.

What HBCUs do exceptionally well is mentorship.

At many predominantly white institutions (PWIs), you might be one of a handful of Black students in your program. At an HBCU, your professors likely look like you. They’ve navigated what you’re navigating. They hold you to a high standard, not in spite of your background but because of it.

And when you mess up? (You will. We all do.) They correct you with love, not condescension.

That’s not just education. That’s transformation.

Legacy Is Just the Beginning

There’s a kind of quiet magic on HBCU campuses. You feel it in the chapel, in the band room, in the worn brick pathways between dorms. You know you’re walking where legends have walked. And maybe you won’t say it out loud, but it stirs something in you.

These institutions have produced giants, such as Thurgood Marshall, Toni Morrison, Kamala Harris, and W.E.B. Du Bois, as well as countless local heroes and unsung mentors whose impact isn’t measured by fame. Still, in the number of lives, they touch.

And for many, that legacy isn’t just poetic. It’s practical. Many HBCUs offer scholarship programs for their students, including scholarships that honor community service and provide financial aid. It’s not about handouts. It’s about investment. In students. In families. In futures.

From Boardrooms to Bandstands: Leading in Every Field

Whether your path leans toward business strategy or musical innovation, HBCUs have a knack for turning talent into impact.

For business majors, HBCUs cultivate a distinctive form of leadership, one grounded in social equity, community impact, and, indeed, entrepreneurship. You don’t just learn how to scale a company. You know why it matters who gets hired, who gets funded, and who gets heard.

For music students, the legacy runs deep. Gospel, jazz, blues, and hip-hop are forms of Black music that are American music. And HBCUs have protected, elevated, and evolved those traditions while producing top-tier composers, conductors, teachers, and Grammy-winning artists. Walk into a music building at any HBCU and listen. It’s not just about talent. It’s about storytelling, discipline, and joy.

What You Don’t See on the Brochure

Campus life? Lively doesn’t even begin to cover it.

From step shows to student government to pre-professional organizations, HBCUs are training grounds for leadership. You don’t wait for your turn. You step up. You run the event, chair the committee, and launch the initiative. And when it comes time to apply for grad school or to compete for one of those scholarships for minority students, you’ve got receipts. Real ones.

Of course, it’s not all rose-colored. Classrooms get crowded. Budgets get tight. You may encounter bureaucracy or that one professor who refuses to use email. But honestly? That’s life. Learning to navigate it with grace and grit is part of the growth process.

Closing Thought: It’s Not About Relevance, It’s About Power

Some folks like to ask, “Are HBCUs still relevant?” To which I’d say: that’s the wrong question.

The right one is: Where else do Black students get to lead, learn, and live without feeling the need to shrink?

Because when you walk onto an HBCU campus, you’re not just getting a degree. You’re stepping into a legacy of resistance, brilliance, and bold, future-shaping power.

And if that’s not leadership training, I don’t know what is.

For many students pursuing higher education, the journey to a college degree can be challenging—especially when finances stand in the way. At the McKinney Scholarship Fund, we believe that financial limitations should never hold back bright, motivated students from achieving their dreams. That’s why we focus on providing scholarships for HBCU students and expanding access to financial aid for Alabama State University students and others attending historically Black colleges and universities.

Why HBCU Scholarships Matter

HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) play a vital role in fostering academic excellence, leadership, and cultural identity among African American students. These institutions offer supportive learning environments, strong alumni networks, and degrees that open doors across industries. However, many HBCU students face significant financial challenges that threaten their ability to complete their education.

That’s where scholarships for HBCU students come in. These scholarships:

• Reduce or eliminate tuition burdens
• Allow students to focus on academics instead of part-time jobs
• Encourage persistence and graduation
• Support historically underrepresented communities
• Help close the racial wealth and education gaps

At the McKinney Scholarship Fund, we proudly support students who demonstrate academic promise, leadership, and a commitment to giving back to their communities.

Financial Aid for Alabama State University Students

Alabama State University (ASU) is one of the nation’s most respected HBCUs, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for success. But like many public institutions, tuition and living costs can add up quickly. That’s why the McKinney Scholarship Fund also focuses on expanding financial aid for Alabama State University students.

We work to:

• Provide need-based and merit-based scholarships
• Raise awareness of additional funding sources
• Partner with community donors and organizations
• Encourage alumni involvement in funding scholarships
• Assist students in navigating the financial aid process

By providing targeted financial aid for Alabama State University, we help ensure that students have the financial foundation they need to complete their education and achieve their goals.

How You Can Support the Mission

Every dollar donated to the McKinney Scholarship Fund goes directly toward helping students attend and succeed at HBCUs. Whether you’re a business leader, community member, or proud alumnus, your support can make a lasting impact.

Ways to get involved:

• Make a one-time or recurring donation
• Sponsor a student or create a named scholarship
• Attend fundraising events
• Share our mission with friends and family
• Volunteer your time or expertise

Apply or Give Today

If you’re a student looking for scholarships for HBCU students or seeking financial aid for Alabama State University, we encourage you to explore the resources available through the McKinney Scholarship Fund. Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders through education.

🎓 Visit mckinneyscholarshipfund.org to apply for funding or learn how you can support the mission.