Paying for Your Career Education Through Grants
Grants are a fantastic way to pay for college. Not only are individuals not required to pay grants back, but they are readily available through the Federal Government and private donors. Therefore, if you are concerned about your ability to pay for a higher education, look into the possibility of obtaining a grant.
The following set of articles cover what kinds of grants exist, eligibility requirements, and how to find grants. We also provide an extensive list of other grant resources that will make the job of finding a grant that fits your academic and personal needs significantly easier.
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.
Nursing
For 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.
Education
Students 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.
Science
Funds 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.
Aviation
Students 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.
FAFSA
Every 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 Resources
Students.Gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
American Federation of Teachers
U.S. Department of Education
Federal Aviation Administration Scholarship
Pell Grants
For students from low-income families who plan on pursuing higher education, federal Pell Grants can be a godsend. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid, greatly easing the financial pressures of college. Millions of U.S. students receive these grants every year; they are the backbone of financial aid packages designed to alleviate the financial burden of higher education. Indeed, Pell Grants assist approximately 25% of all undergraduates, and currently represent the largest federal grant program.
Pell Grants provide up to $4,731 (for the 2008-2009 academic year) to students based on financial need. The maximum grant amount is scheduled to rise to $5400 by the 2012-2013 academic year.
Students seeking trade school grants or college grants must first fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) This application, which costs nothing to submit, takes into account several factors: the student's income and his or her family's income and assets, as well as the household's size and whether or not any other family members are attending post-secondary institutions. Award amounts also depend on the cost of the student's education, and whether s/he plans to attend full time or part time. To be eligible, students may not already posses a bachelor's degree, with the exception of a few post-baccalaureate programs for teacher licensure.
To get further information and to apply for a Pell Grant using the FAFSA, students should be sure to visit the official government site (not a middleman who may charge a fee.) There are several steps in this process, but students find that it is well worth it in order to receive funding. The FAFSA covers other sources of aid in addition to the Pell Grant. Students will also find it useful to submit their FAFSAs early; this maximizes the chances of receiving aid and also makes it more likely that aid packages from different schools can be compared. School deadlines for the FAFSA are much earlier than the official government deadline. Although it's possible to win merit scholarships without the FAFSA, students seeking income-based aid must file a FAFSA. Family income limits for need-based aid can be higher than some students think, yet some students miss out by not filing a FAFSA, thinking they may not be eligible.
Depending on individual circumstances, a student may meet the criteria for receiving a Pell grant, which is ultimately administered by the college or university that he or she attends. Students may not use more than one Pell grant at a time. Schools may choose to credit the student's account with the Pell grant amount, pay the student directly, credit the student's bank account, or some combination of these methods.
During the 2005-2006 year, 57% of Pell grant recipients had family incomes of less than $20,000. Roughly 35% of grantees attended public two-year colleges, and 45% public 4-year colleges, with the remaining grantees attending other institutions.
The Pell Grant program is named for Senator Claiborne Pell, Democratic Senator from Rhode Island for 36 years from 1961 to 1997. He was a driving force behind the government's Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, which were labeled Pell Grants in 1980 out of respect for his efforts.
Article Resources:The U.S. Department of Education
FAFSA
Student Aid
Congressional Pell Grant Caucus
The Center on Congress at Indiana University
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Where to Find Grants
It is every student's dream: free money to pay for college. Scholarships and grants, particularly trade school grants, can be hard to find. Unlike loans, they don't need to be paid back, so naturally they are a more desirable form of financial aid than loans. Competition can be stiff for merit-based scholarships, and some people don't even try to find other kinds of grants--a huge mistake.
Instead, many students end up working full time while going to school, or thousands of dollars in debt, or both. Unfortunately, as a degree has become more of a starting point for a career, the cost of higher education has risen dramatically and wages have flattened. What's an ambitious person to do?
Where to Look for Grants
There are a few key places to check for grants. The federal government is the first place to begin. Be sure to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . This can also be used to obtain aid from state governments or individual schools. Deadlines for state or school aid can be much earlier that the official federal deadline every year. These deadlines vary depending on the schools. Students who fill out applications earlier are more likely to receive aid. This is a crucial step to take to maximize financial aid options, and enables students to compare each school's aid package. There is no fee to file the FAFSA, as long as it's filed through the official government website to avoid third party charges.
Pell Grants , which are available to undergraduate students who do not already have a degree, provide up to $4731 per year depending on financial need and educational costs. Schools often award a mixture of loans and federal Pell grants as part of a financial aid package.
Another federal grant that is similar to the Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), is a grant of up to $4000 made available to students with the highest levels of financial need.
For students in specific fields, a few other grants are available. The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant makes $4000 per year available to students who are interested in teaching as a career. This grant requires that students teach elementary or secondary school in a low-income area for four years following their program completion. The National SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) grant provides funds to students in science, math, engineering, and certain foreign languages that are relevant to national security interests.
Colleges themselves are another good source of grant money. Some of them can be quite specific; for instance, a donor could designate a scholarship for a tuba player who plans to major in biology. Community institutions like the Rotary Club can be another good source of money for college, typically awarding funds for certain achievements. State departments of education frequently offer some form of grant money for college, as do some large corporations for children of their employees.
Knowing where to find grants is a powerful asset for any prospective college student. It may take some effort, but the money is out there, and well worth the time it takes to research. There are a few helpful links just below to help you get started.
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Chef2Chef : Chef2Chef offers grants that are specifically targeted at prospective individuals hoping to make it in the culinary arts.
The College Board : The College Board has an extensive listing of grants, both Federal and private.
College Scholarships : This is a fantastic resource for information on grants. The site covers state-funded grants, Federal Grants, grants for women, grants for ethnic minorities, need-based grants, and grants that are targeted for certain professions. This is definitely worth a look.
FAFSA : Before undertaking any sort of grant search, make sure that you fill out the FAFSA application. This will make you eligible for numerous Federal Grants.
Grants : Grants.Gov is a source designed to help you find and apply for Federal Grants.
The NEA Foundation : The NEA Foundation provides grants awarded on student achievement in public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject.
Student Aid on the Web : The Federally run site has information on the Academic Competitiveness Grant and the National SMART Grant, as well as general information on student aid.
Student Finance Domain : Student Finance Domain has information on grants available to college students.
U.S. Department of Education : Here you will find information about obtaining grants, as well as information on the FSEOG Grant, the TEACH Grant, and the SMART Grant.
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