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Veteran College Grants

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:27:07 +0000

Veteran College Grants

Military veterans have undoubtedly learned invaluable skills as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. After they are released from active duty, however, they may wish to take new paths. A college education can start them on a whole new life, with new triumphs–and new challenges–on the horizon. One of these new challenges shouldn’t be tuition costs. Veteran college grants can help.

The major source of financial aid for veterans is the GI Bill. The GI Bill (also known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act) was created in 1944 to benefit the veterans of World War II. This program disburses veteran college grants to eligible participants and pays for college or vocational training. As of 2006, the Montgomery GI Bill paid for up to 36 months of school and was accessible for up to 10 years after veterans left active service.

Veteran College Grants: Financial Assistance for Children of Veterans

However, veteran college grants aren’t just for veterans. Dependents of veterans are eligible for state, federal, and private grants just for them. Entities such as the American Legion and other military-related organizations are excellent sources of grants like this. There are also college grants like the Regents Award for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans. This grant was created for children of veterans who served during a national emergency or war.

Veterans or dependents of veterans have numerous grants at their disposal. Other grants included under the GI Bill include the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. Participants in this program receive $2 for every $1 they contribute to the program. Another option is the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. This program provides qualified individuals with up to 45 months of educational benefits.

Private College Grants

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:22:02 +0000

Private College Grants

Unlike a private loan, private college grants do not need to be repaid. Private grants are simply a form of financial aid that comes from private non-profit sources as opposed to the government. (For-profit sources issue scholarships, not grants. Beyond this distinction, there are no real differences between private college grants and scholarships.) The sources of private college grants include universities, social clubs, scholarship organizations, and more.

About half of all undergraduates are given grants, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and the average total amount hovered at about $4,000 in 2006. With the cost of a private university education exceeding $20,000 per year in many areas, students should apply for as many grants as possible. Grant money is tax exempt, so there are no negative financial ramifications for the recipient.

Sources of Private College Grants

While many grants are need-based, meaning that applicants would have to demonstrate a financial hardship, quite a few grants are merit-based. Students with exceptionally high grades, excellent leadership skills, or even a unique talent can seek out grant sources. Some grant organizations also offer funds based on an applicant’s ethnic or cultural background, including the United Negro College Fund and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

Many grants are renewable, meaning that an applicant can continue to receive additional funding for each year of college attended. However, these private college grants will usually require the applicant to meet basic criteria before a renewal is approved. For example, maintaining a certain GPA or participating in a set number of volunteer hours may be required.

Hispanic College Grants

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:18:25 +0000

Hispanic College Grants

People of Hispanic descent make up the biggest minority group in the U.S. This group is also the youngest. However, according to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) in 2006, more than 87 percent of Hispanics did not have bachelor’s degrees. This poor number is due in part to financial hardship. Hispanic college grants can help more Latinos attend (and graduate from) the universities they desire.

One major source of Hispanic college grants comes from the CHCI itself. This organization, founded in 1978, focuses on encouraging Hispanics to take leadership roles in the government and the community. Therefore, CHCI college grants are meant for students who have a history of getting involved in public service–and who wish to continue to do so in the future. There are no requirements as far as GPA or majors.

More Facts About Hispanic College Grants

To be eligible for a CHCI college grant, the student must be accepted into a four-year college, a community college, or a graduate or professional program. They must meet financial need guidelines and display strong writing skills. Also, eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or legal (permanent) residents.

Hispanic students are far more likely to be attending college part-time (or attending community college) than any other ethnic group. Fortunately, several organizations have stepped up to the plate to offer Hispanic college grants, including need-based and merit-based grants. Interested students can explore grants offered by the federal government, private organizations, and other entities.

Federal College Grants

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:15:07 +0000

Federal College Grants

Students who are planning their future college careers–but aren’t sure how to fund them–may worry about being saddled with enormous student loans after graduation. While typical student loans feature low interest rates and grace periods before they need to be repaid, the prospect of being approximately $50,000-$150,000 in debt fresh out of college is daunting. Federal college grants can help.

Unlike student loans, federal college grants do not need to be paid back. And there is a lot of money out there for students: as of 2006, the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) disbursed approximately $60 billion dollars each year. In fact, the FSA is the largest source for student financial aid in the United States. One of the most well-know federal grants is the Pell Grant, a need-based reward. However, new grants are created each year, including the Academic Competitiveness Grant and the National SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grant.

How to Apply for Federal College Grants

To apply for federal aid, prospective students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While each state will have a deadline to turn in the form, it cannot be submitted before January 1 of the academic year in question. Applicants will detail their personal information as well as their college plans and general financial standings.

The typical eligibility requirements for federal grants are as follows: applicants must be citizens of the U.S. or qualified noncitizens. For most FSA grants, applicants must meet certain financial need guidelines. They must have valid Social Security numbers and high school diplomas. Qualified applicants must be working toward a degree or a certificate and must promise to only use the grant money for educational uses. Most importantly, recipients must achieve satisfactory grades once they get to college!

College Scholarship Grants

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:13:19 +0000

College Scholarship Grants

It’s no secret that college is an expensive endeavor. As of 2006, the College Board estimated that a year of college at a four-year public university was $13,000, which included tuition, fees, housing, etc. According to those same findings, those who wished to attend private school could expect to pay at least $27,600 a year. Even if a student graduates in four years, these costs can add up to a staggering sum. Students who are not entering college in the near future also need to consider that tuition rates increase about five to eight percent each year.

Unfortunately, it can also be quite costly to not attend college. College graduates can generate nearly twice the income than those with just high school diplomas. Therefore, those who aren’t independently wealthy–or don’t have the advantage of a generous college fund–may want to investigate other financial aid avenues. For instance, individuals can apply for a scholarship or explore various grants.

Where to Look for College Scholarship Grants

A scholarship, unlike a student loan, does not need to be paid back. The same goes for grants. There are literally hundreds of venues that offer scholarship/grants to prospective students: the government, financial institutions, companies, non-profits, or even individuals.

Scholarships and grants can be divided into two groups: merit-based (for example, a music or theater scholarship) or need-based (various grants from the government). There are also grants and scholarships that are specifically earmarked for people of certain ethnicities. The government offers a list of its current grants, and entities like the College Board can also aid in the search. High school students can receive additional information from their guidance counselors.

College Grants For Single Mothers

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:11:59 +0000

College Grants For Single Mothers

Single mothers who are contemplating college deserve congratulations. Considering that the typical college graduate can earn nearly twice the salary of a high school graduate, they are making a choice that can greatly benefit their ability to care for their children. However, single mothers may require financial assistance. Only 15 percent of single mothers are awarded spousal support, and a third of these women never actually receive it. In fact, a year after divorce, the woman typically experiences a drop of 45 percent in her standard of living!

Divorced or single women who have children to support–on top of their reduced financial circumstances–may worry that it’s impossible for them to pay for college. Plus, if they have mortgage or car payments, they may be hesitant to take on student loans. Fortunately, there is a wide array of college grants available for single mothers.

Find Sources of College Grants for Single Mothers

Grants, unlike loans, do not need to be repaid. Also, grants may be need-based or merit-based. There are actually grants out there designed just for single mothers that can cover tuition, fees, books, and other typical educational costs. Grants are offered through many entities, including the federal government, the colleges themselves, private companies, charitable organizations, and individuals.

To apply for federal grants, would-be students will need to fill out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms. Single mothers in particular may be eligible for need-based grants, especially if they are struggling financially. The FAFSA form details each state’s submission deadline. However, FAFSA forms may not be submitted before January 1 of the applicable academic year. Further assistance can be obtained through each college’s financial aid center.

College Grants For The Disabled

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:11:57 +0000

College Grants For The Disabled

Students with disabilities are eligible for several types of financial assistance. These include grants, scholarships, and programs funded by federal and state governments. College grants for the disabled can mean the difference between obtaining a degree or not; it pays to investigate these options when students start to map out their educational gameplans.

Federal Pell Grants are one of the most-recognized forms of financial aid and are open to undergraduates. Disabled students can fill out the appropriate FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) paperwork to find out if they are eligible for Pell Grants or any other type of federal financial assistance. If the student qualifies, the amount of the grant will depend on several factors, including financial need, tuition costs, and whether the student is attending school full-time or part-time.

College Grants for the Disabled Change Lives

Disabled students may also be able to take advantage of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This benefits low-income individuals with disabilities. If the student is under 18, his or her parents’ financial situation is included in the evaluation. However, once the student turns 18, he or she may qualify as a low-income individual.

There are also various state and private college grants for the disabled. But students shouldn’t just concentrate on financial aid geared towards individuals with disabilities. There are numerous need- and merit-based grants available each year. Students who demonstrate excellent academic records, spend time volunteering, or have special skills can find grants that have nothing to do with their disabilities.

African American College Grants

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:07:11 +0000

African American College Grants

According to the Journal of Black in Higher Education, in 1984, just 20.3 percent of all 18- to 24-year-old African Americans were enrolled in higher education. In 2004, that percentage had risen to 31.8 percent. While the number of college attendees has risen substantially in 20 years, many African American students are unable to complete their educations because they don’t have the money to pay for college. Several government and private organizations offer African American college grants–financial aid that, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid.

When contemplating African American college grants, the first name that comes to mind is typically the United Negro College Fund and its famous slogan, “A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.” The UNCF Scholarships and Grants Administration office has given out more than $105 million in grants since 1985 and has benefited more than 28,000 students. These grants cover more than just tuition–they fund books, fees, room and board, and more.

Find Additional African American College Grants

Many of these grants require that students attend colleges or universities that are members of UNCF. UNCF typically provides money to these schools to help them keep costs low. Many of them can be renewed each year and require that recipients maintain high GPAs.

Another major source of African American college grants is the Ron Brown Scholarship Program. This program awards grants to motivated African American high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence. As of 2006, a minimum of 10 African American high school seniors each year were honored with a grant of $10,000 a year for four years.