Elizabeth Echols is Regional Administrator, Region IX (California, Nevada, Arizona), for the Small Business Administration.

WHITEHOUSE: Hearing from Nevada's Small Businesses

The legal maneuvering that allowed Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to retry them is not perfect.

FORBES: Legal Maneuvering

If you're also applying for need-based financial aid, don't worry about private scholarships decreasing your award, says Keema Echols, president of the Kenaly Complement, a financial aid consulting firm for higher education institutions.

FORBES: Magazine Article