Grants and Scholarships

When it comes to finding ways to help pay for higher education, you may have various options to consider.

Grants and Scholarships may be available to those who qualify. In addition, work-study programs may be available to supplement the money required to complete your education. Typically most schools have a financial aid department that will walk you through the various applications and options that may be available to you.

When it comes to learning more about the different ways to help pay for higher education, there are various options to consider.

View our Free Guide for information about online education, including financial aid information.

Grants

Unlike a loan, grants may not require repayment. Grants may be available from the federal government, state government, schools, and private organizations. Federal and state grant funds are typically paid directly to your school to cover tuition and other eligible education costs.*

*http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2009-2010/english/typesofFSA_grants.htm

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are one of the largest sources of "gift aid" awarded to undergraduate students who have not received a bachelors' degree, and are based on financial need.* How much you may be awarded depends on your Expected Family Contribution, your cost of attendance, whether you're a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less. You may receive only one Pell Grant in an award year, and you may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time. Students may apply for the Pell Grant by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is important to note that if you have used federal financial aid to fund previous college study, that may limit the amount of aid you are eligible to receive in the future.**

*http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/aboutus.jsp
**http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2009-2010/english/typesofFSA_grants.htm

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG awards are given to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need. The grant is made available to those earning their first associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The maximum about you may be eligible to receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, the funding level of the school you are attending, and the policies of your school's financial aid office.* Students may apply for the FSEOG program by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information about applying for federal grants, speak to your school's financial aid office or visit the U.S. Department of Education's Student Aid Web site.

*https://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/FSEOG.jsp

Scholarships

Scholarship programs are merit or need-based prizes for academic achievement that usually include awarding a student with a monetary gift. Scholarships may be available through a variety of sources, including companies, organizations, and clubs. Scholarships may be based on a variety of factors. Academic performance, financial need, religious affiliation, minority status, heritage, and other specific sets of criteria that are important to the organization providing funds or community affiliations are all examples of what could make you eligible for a particular scholarship, if you qualify.

Additionally, individual educational institutions may offer individual scholarships. These scholarships may be school-specific. To learn more about whether an individual educational institution offers such individual scholarships, You should inquire about these when conversing with the School’s Admissions Advisor.

Depending on whether you may qualify, various scholarship applications may be available online.

Once you have inquired about whether you may be eligible for a particular scholarship and are looking to apply, keep the following points in mind:

• When writing an essay, try to remember who your audience is. For instance, consider who is reading your essay, and direct your verbiage to that particular organization or institution.
• Apply for scholarships as early as possible.
• Ensure that you are meeting all criteria the essay requires of you. Be open, honest, and be sure to follow instructions precisely.
• When mailing in a scholarship application, be sure to send it certified mail and request a receipt to ensure whoever is offering the scholarship receives it.
• Double-check your spelling and grammar.

Additional Scholarship Web Sites

For additional scholarship information, visit the following sites:

• FastWeb
• Sallie Mae
• College Scholarships
• College Connection Scholarships

Work-Study Programs

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a financial aid program funded by the US government and may be available to undergraduate as well as graduate students. You may be eligible to participate in a work-study program if you are awarded Federal Work-Study with your financial aid package and the individual school has a work-study program in place. The program encourages community service work and may offer work related to your course of study. Qualified work-study recipients are able to work in part-time roles assisting their college or local community. (Occasionally FWS recipients may work for for-profit employers.) Since a school that offers work-study programs may have requirements specific to that particular school, details regarding eligibility and other program requirements is best answered by the individual school.*

For more information on Federal Work-Study click here.

*http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/campusaid.jsp