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University Of Pennsylvania

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:25:44 +0000

University Of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League university located in Philadelphia. Consistently ranked among the top ten schools in the country by the U.S. News and World Report, the University of Pennsylvania offers four undergraduate schools and twelve graduate schools from which to choose. Ben Franklin founded the university in 1740, and its location in central Philadelphia keeps students close to major historical landmarks as well as Philadelphia’s bustling arts and commerce districts.

With almost 10,000 undergrads, the University of Pennsylvania is large enough to offer a wide variety of viewpoints but not so large that a student can’t make personal connections with staff and other students. Undergrads may choose between majors in the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Nursing, and the Wharton School of Business. Students also have the opportunity to create their own dual-discipline majors that involve programs or classes in more than one school.

Opportunities for Graduate Students at the University of Pennsylvania

Graduate students also number approximately 10,000. Masters and PhD programs are available in a wide variety of programs, including nursing, medicine, dental, communication, education, and more. The Wharton School offers an extremely competitive top-ranked MBA degree program, from which many of the nation’s top executives have graduated.

The University of Pennsylvania also offers many opportunities for research. With a budget of approximately $660 million for fiscal year 2006, the university employs thousands of research fellows, postdocs, and support staff. The university is one of the nation’s top earners in terms of external funding, as well–nearly $500 million in grants support the university’s researchers each year.

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.