General Information About Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships for Students

Both scholarships and grants are referred to as free money. This means students do not have to pay the funds back. It also makes it possible to pay for all or a portion of your education without paying cash or taking out student loans that must be repaid in the future. Free money is the best way to cover the costs of attending a college, university or trade school. Scholarships are typically awarded based on a certain criteria.

In most instances, scholarships require students to attain and maintain certain grades. To qualify for the scholarship, the student must have a certain GPA and fulfill every aspect of the application process. To maintain the scholarship or apply for another one, students often need to earn a minimum designated GPA in college. Each scholarship differs and the student must carefully read the requirements to ensure their degree is being funded.

Besides earning particular grades, scholarships might also require students to take certain number of credit hours within the first year of their education. Students fulfill the scholarship requirements to be considered for selection. Scholarships are intended for students who want to complete a college degree or a particular certification. Some applicants need to be high school graduates while others might have completed a certain level of college.

Scholarships might also be based on other factors, such as whether the candidate is male or female. There are specialized scholarships for every race, religion and age. Various scholarships are geared toward students taking a certain major, such as mathematics or liberal arts. Others might pertain to a certain sports or activity such as basketball, scouting or art. Scholarships are offered by an array of entities and organizations such as schools, civic organizations, professional groups and the government. Religious entities and certain corporations also offer scholarships to members.

Often scholarships are paid directly to the chosen college. Sometimes the funds are paid to the student or a combination of the two. Scholarship money may be used to pay for tuition, books, transportation and child care. The scholarship will clearly define how the money can be used. Certain scholarships strictly pay for tuition. Scholarships from a school may require the student to take a test to complete against other students with similar backgrounds and qualifications. Others may consider the scores students received on the SAT and/or ACT.

Much like grants and financial aid, scholarships require the applicant to carefully complete a formal application for consideration. The process might include submitting letters of recommendation, transcripts and other background material. Failure to properly complete the application could mean the student will not get a scholarship they otherwise qualify for. Students of all ages, backgrounds and scholastic levels will be surprised to learn how many opportunities are available. A simple search is sure to give you a good number of options. All it takes is some time and effort to get your hands on this free money.

Grants for Students

Scholarships and grants are similar but there are some differences. A grant is money from a non-profit entity that is usually exempt from taxation. Foundations, corporations and governments issue grants to students. In most instances, the student commits to a certain project or scholastic endeavor. They often need to keep the grant donor informed about their progress. Usually a proposal is sent to be considered for a grant. Sometimes there is also an application process that includes the submission of certain documents.

Grants are given to students and other people looking to improve their circumstances. For example, a grant might be for a student who is disabled or preparing to start a small business based on their education. Financial difficulties might also be a reason to get a grant. Students who cannot otherwise afford the cost of higher education could qualify for a grant even if they have average or below average grades. Once the grant is rewarded, the student does not necessarily have to maintain any requirements. Rather, they are supposed to fulfill a designated project or educational goal.

Grants might be offered to a student who wants to research cancer cures or conduct a survey about college finances. There are also grants for students who are looking to start businesses such as an online service. These are just a few examples of the reasons a grant might be awarded. The students must fulfill the project and provide progress reports to the entity that paid the grant. A great deal of important research and development is fueled by grant funds.

Consider submitting a grant proposal if you have a certain dream or goal you want to pursue. Some of the most unusual ideas have been funded by grants. The concept that sounds outlandish today can become the new standard for tomorrow. Grants are often developed to help students make a difference in the changing world around them. There are also many existing grants that cater to traditional students looking to complete certain projects or goals.

Financial Aid for Students

Students can apply for an unlimited number of scholarships and grants. The more you try to get, the more likely you will have additional funds for higher education. There are also financial aid opportunities to consider. Financial aid is offered by the state or federal government. Each state has its own criteria. This money is also given to students and does not need to be repaid. Usually financial aid is granted to students who can demonstrate financial need. Financial aid might also be given to a military veteran or the child or spouse of a veteran.

Keep track of requirements and deadlines to put you ahead of the crowd. A key factor in getting this money is knowing the ways to go after it. Many students keep a journal with submission and deadline dates so they can follow up. Efficiency is part of the process of earning scholarships, grants and financial aid. Schools want to give money to eager applicants who know what is going on every step of the way.

College advisors and high school guidance counselors often have a current list of financial aid opportunities. They should include income guidelines and instructions for applying. Often these applications can be completed online to make submissions easier. Students create an account so they can check on the status of their financial aid applications. In just a few clicks, you know exactly what is going on.

The last resort is a student loan that must be repaid. While student loans are available, this money is not free. Students typically must start repaying the loan within a year after graduation. If the student changes majors or does not graduate, the money still needs to be paid back. A student winds up in debt before they even get their chosen career off the ground. With numerous grants and scholarships available, this is the least desirable option. Certain schools even have a work study program so students can earn the money toward college rather than borrowing it. Contact college financial advisors to help you gain access to every possible financial opportunity.

Scholarship and grant money is worth the work and research it takes to get it. There are billions of dollars available to help students pay for college. Sometimes these scholarships and grants are unclaimed because students do not know about them. All it takes is some legwork to find out more. With online resources at your fingertips, you can surf around for scholarship and grant opportunities at your leisure. Search the Internet at night or when you are at the school library. Print out prospective scholarships or maintain a master list so you never miss out on a possible opportunity.