I've heard a lot about alternative fuel lately. Is it true that my car can run on used vegetable oil?

Used veggie oil only works as a source of alternative fuel in diesel engines. Regardless of the year, make or model, to use vegetable oil as fuel, you will need to have the engine converted to run on pure WVO (waste vegetable oil). This will cost $1,000 to $2,000 to have it installed by a professional, depending on your vehicle model. If you are mechanically inclined, a do-it-yourself kit is about half as much and you can do the labor yourself.

Another option is to use biodiesel, a renewable, sustainable fuel made from natural plant oils. Biodiesel does not require an engine conversion, but its price per gallon is comparable to that of gasoline. Check out greasecar.com for more information on conversion.

My parents make too much money to qualify for federal financial aid, but not enough to pay for college. How else can I pay for school?

In addition to choosing your school wisely and getting a part-time job, there are lots of options when it comes to financing your education.

Not all federal aid is need-based, so you may still qualify for certain grants, loans or a work-study program. Regardless of how much your parents make, always fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and complete it soon after January 1st, for the fall term.

There are thousands of scholarships out there--take the time to find them and apply for as many as possible.

Consider student loans from a financial institution. The terms might not be as good as a federal loan, but you can find safe and fair financial aid elsewhere.

Visit brassmagazine.com for more articles about financial aid and financing a college degree.

Editor's Note: When answering your questions, brass consults with experienced professionals from a wide spectrum of industries. We utilize their expertise to give you the answers you need, but it's always wise to seek additional opinions from other professionals.

Sources: greencarclinic.com; lamag.com; greasecar.com; biodiesel.org; howstuffworks.com; greaseworks.org; gocollege.com; collegeboard.com; studentaid.ed.gov; ecampustours.com; bankrate.com; fastweb.com