Scholarships
and Grants
For
additional information about Federal Grant programs and Federal
Financial Aid programs, please visit the U.S. Dept. of Education
at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2004_2005/english/glance.htm
Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Unlike
a loan, a Federal Pell grant doesn’t require you to repay it.
Most of the time, Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduate
students. In some limited cases, however, you might receive a
Pell Grant if you’re enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certificate program.
Pell Grants are usually a foundation of
federal student aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal
sources might be added. Like all financial aid, the school you
are attending plays a role in whether or not you will qualify.
You can apply for a Pell grant through your school’s financial
aid office
The
maximum Pell Grant for the 2004-2005 award year
(July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005) is $4,050.
The amount awarded to students is based on financial need, on
your cost of attendance,
whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, and whether you
attend school for a full academic year
or less. Only one Pell Grant can be awarded to you each year,
and you may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school
at a time.
If
you are awarded a Pell Grant, your school can write you a check
for the entire amount, credit your school account, or any combination.
Federal Supplemental
Educational Opportunity Grant
(FSEOG)
Start
you search at you current school or the school you plan to attend,
as many scholarships are school-specific. Check with you local
librarian and local civic organizations. You may also want to
consider the effect a scholarship can have on your financial aid
options.
If
you are awarded a Pell Grant, you may also be eligible for an
FSEOG, if you have an exceptional financial need. Like a Pell
Grant, you do not have to pay back an FSEOG. Your school is allocated
a certain set amount to distribute as FSEOGs and will make awards based on availability.
The
amount can be from $100 to $4,000
Scholarships
Scholarships
can be achieved a variety of ways and you may be surprised how
many are available. They are granted based on achievement in sports,
academics, community involvement, hobbies, ties to organizations,
demonstrated talents, and more. They can be offered by the military,
governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, even private family
trusts.
To
be awarded a scholarship, you will have to submit an application
that will most likely include an essay, maybe a written exam or
profile, or possibly a project. Scholarships have different criteria
for award and for the amount of the award. Most often, the award
is paid directly to the recipient’s college or university.
Examples of Scholarships
The
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Listing of scholarships
sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation.
Microsoft
College Scholarships
Microsoft
is committed to building the pipeline of future computer scientists.
HSF Scholarship: College Scholarship Program
The
College Scholarship Program is available on a competitive basis to community
college, four-year
college, and
graduate students of Hispanic heritage
US
Air Force ROTC - Scholarships
Air
Force ROTC can help you to overcome the financial hardships associated
with college,
and when you complete your degree you’ve got a guaranteed career
after school – debt free.
