Do you need financial assistance before you can obtain a degree? You may qualify for grants for students through various sources that can assist you in securing the degree you need to obtain your dream job. There are two primary types of student financial grants:
A Pell Grant is money the federal government provides for students who need it to pay for college. Pell Grants are limited to students who fall within a low-to-moderate income level. This is a student financial grant and does not have to be repaid as long as the funds are used for the intended purpose. In some cases restrictions may be placed upon the grant for students giving the recipient a limited amount of time to utilize the funds, a specific university or college to attend, and the requirement of passing classes. The Pell grant amount is based upon the student family’s income, number of family members attending college, and whether the student will be attending school on a full-time or part-time basis. These student financial grants are one of the two most common types of student financial grants and are often applied for through the student’s chosen university or college’s financial department. Staff will assist students in filling out the proper paperwork and submitting the application to the appropriate agency.
The second most common type of student financial grants is scholarships. A scholarship is an award of funds to pay for tuition and in some cases books, room and board, etc. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award. Most students are aware of student financial grants being awarded in the form of scholarships, if students excel academically or athletically. The reality is there are scholarships out there for all types of students. Foundations offer grants for students for various reasons. Sometimes the criterion for applying is the student’s choice of study or career. Foundations are able to award college grants for students based upon the donor or founder’s preferences, which is why the criteria for awards differ in each situation.
Finding information on student financial grants can be time consuming and challenging, but the award of obtaining a college degree makes it worth overcoming the obstacles. For scholarships the best place to begin searching for funders are libraries, school counselors, teachers, universities/colleges, and various community organizations. After the student financial grant opportunity is identified, make sure to follow the requirements of the student financial grant application carefully. If you are not awarded the first grant for students you apply for, try submitting for another one!