Career Education Grants
Almost every career path demands specialized education and training, some more than others. No matter what kind of career a student envisions for himself or herself, chances are that the path to achieving success includes a degree or other academic credential. However, too many students are daunted by the potential costs of further education. For some, this means deferring their dreams, and for others, it can mean going into debt or working long hours while struggling to master their chosen profession.
However, career education grants can relieve this intense financial pressure. Students can find grants from a variety of sources, including the federal government and local community-based organizations, that can help them pursue their chosen careers. Career education grants are aimed at students who plan to pursue specific interests, such as nursing, teaching, scientific research, or aviation. While there are other types of grants available (such as general-education grants based on financial need that aren't tied to a specific profession), career education grants can be tremendously useful to students who have a strong sense of direction.
NursingFor students who are interested in nursing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a few scholarship opportunities: the National Health Service Corps Scholarship, the Nursing Scholarship program, and the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program. Each has varying purposes and eligibility requirements. A primary goal of these programs is to counteract the nationwide nursing shortage. There are also student loan repayment opportunities for nursing graduates who serve high-needs areas.
EducationStudents who want to go into education can pursue federal TEACH grants, which provide up to $4000 per academic year, contingent upon teaching in a high-needs field or location following program completion. Individual states also offer a plethora of teacher-oriented scholarships; many can be found through state departments of education or through teacher education programs themselves. Private organizations also offer opportunities for potential teachers; examples include the Horace Mann Scholarship Program for Educators and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
ScienceFunds for studying science are available via the federal National SMART Grant program (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) as well as through the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. Several of these scholarship opportunities are dedicated to attracting talented minority students and low-income students.
AviationStudents interested in aviation careers can find scholarship listings on the Federal Aviation Administration Website. They include scholarships offered through the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Boeing, among others.
FAFSAEvery student who wants to pursue a degree should fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as well as seeking merit-based opportunities. College financial aid offices may disseminate additional information, as may local career development centers. Career-specific professional organizations are also excellent sources of information when it comes to finding career education grants. Many such organizations either offer scholarships, or offer lists of funding resources for students interested in the field. With a little investigation, a motivated student can pull together a list of funding sources that may pay off immensely.
Article ReferencesStudents.Gov
http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public?topicID=15&operation=topic&page=2
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/healthprofessions.htm
American Federation of Teachers
http://www.aft.org/tools4teachers/loan-forgiveness.htm
U.S. Department of Education
http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_cd=VTE
http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpl/index.htmll
Federal Aviation Administration Scholarship
http://www.faa.gov/education_research/
FAFSA
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
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