Free Money for CollegeWhile most students are familiar with student loans, grant programs are even better – after all, free money is better than money you have to pay back. Such programs can provide significant savings for college students and their families. Knowing where to look and following up on promising leads might just provide a little surprising relief from rising tuition costs.
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Types of Grant Programs Available
There are a wide variety of grant programs. One of the most comprehensive websites available for searching for them is Student Grants.
While some grants have eligibility requirements where you either meet the criteria (like being a veteran) or you don’t, other grants are part of an incentive plan. An example of an incentive grant would be offering a grant to help pay for tuition for a nurse if s/he agrees to work in an area of great need.
Below your will find several popular categories for grants:
Government grants
School/Trade Related Grants
- Some trade schools (like beauty school) offer special grants.
- Agreeing to teach in an underprivileged area can help teachers pay for school.
- Some grants exist just for special programs like nursing.
- See: http://www.studentgrants.org/school-grants/.
Minority Grants
Organizational Grants
- Civic organizations like the Lyons Club, and groups that parents and grandparents belong to might offer tuition assistance.
Non-Traditional/Returning Student Grants
Military Families
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In the addition to the above resources, be sure to consult the guidance office if you are in still in high school. Otherwise, your local public library, college financial aid office, and even family places of worship are additional resources to look into for grants and other free student assistance.
You never know what you are eligible for unless you start looking. While it might seem overwhelming at first, locating additional funding sources for college can be a rewarding investment of your time. With the assistance of online searches, more opportunities exist than ever before for locating alternative college funding.
Scheduling in a few hours a week to locate grants can pay off in a big way. Be sure to keep a record of who you request information from and when you apply so that you know when to follow up. Remember to send a thank you note if you receive your grant from a private source, such as a foundation or non-profit organization.
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Before you start searching put first things first and fill out your FAFSA. Next, make a plan to go from there. After applying for the Federal money, check regional sources. Remember to explore the possibilities in any organization a family member may belong to (like the Rotary Club, or a religious organization). There are millions of dollars in grants and scholarships out there, your golden opportunity might just be a click or two away!
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