Archive for category Financial Aid
Education Grants for Single Mothers For Further Study
Posted by admin in Financial Aid, Reference and Education on October 18, 2011
It might be quite difficult to continue your education as a single mother. But what is even more difficult is trying to do the same if you have been abused by your husband. Unfortunately, many educated men abuse their wives or partners, which results in a serious psychological breakdown. None the less, some abused women do not even have the time to go through the breakdown because they have a child they need to look after. Under these circumstances, it may seem like a utopia to expect the mother to go for her education.
However, such an education may give you back the self-esteem you might have lost and help you stand back on your feet. Therefore, the psychological help that continuing your education might provide you with cannot be ignored. You might be curious about how to find the necessary money for this. At this point, foundations take up the stage. There are foundations which are trying to help particularly abused single mothers to continue their education and start a new life. Here you can find some information about these foundations and the grants and scholarships provided by them.
The Sunshine Lady Foundation, Inc. sees as its mission to show a way out to people who are lost as a result of financial problems, but also because of crises in their family. The foundation is helpful to single parents in this regard, but does not provide financial assistance for graduate study, payment of school loans, academic research or business investments. There are two different programs single mothers can benefit from via The Sunshine Lady Foundation, Inc. The first one of these is the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. This program aims at putting an end to domestic violence by helping those who have been affected by it. Scholarship is available to full- or part-time abused single mothers who are attending or willing to attend a state supported community college, a state supported college or university, or a technical or vocational school. Those women who are enrolled in private colleges or universities, or for profit schools are also welcome to apply, but the other categories are most of the time given priority over these two.
Another program by the Sunshine Lady Foundation, Inc. is called Learning by Giving. This program aims as supporting the study of philanthropy at the undergraduate level. Therefore, the program provides grants of $10,000 for students. Learning by Giving supports philanthropy courses in a variety of colleges and universities including, but not restricted to New York University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of California Berkeley, and College of the Holy Cross. The program is willing to enhance the lives of the participants not only at the educational but also at the social level.
Financial Aid for Career Education
Posted by admin in Financial Aid on September 15, 2011
When most people think about going back to school to get a career education, they think of 4-year programs at colleges and universities.
But there are other quicker options available for those who want to get into and out of school faster. Some people want to start a new career as soon as possible so they can begin to grow and earn more money. And others simply want to gain career education in a field that doesn’t involve a standard office setting, or they want to be able to use their hands, for example.
That’s why many students choose to attend a vocational or technical school to obtain career education instead of a traditional four-year university.
Vocational and technical schools offer shorter, accelerated career education degree programs that take anywhere from 18 months to two years to complete. There are also many certificate programs available that can be completed in even less time.
A common belief is that if you decide to attend a vocational or technical school, you’re on your own when it comes to paying for it. But that’s not the case. Vocational schools, just like standard universities, offer financial aid, including the government-run Pell Grant and other low interest loan options that don’t have to be repaid until after graduation.
The Pell Grant is for students who can prove that they need assistance to pay for school. It is awarded based on financial need and can be used towards education at a vocational or technical school in addition to regular colleges and universities. Pell Grants do not have to be repaid.
Those who don’t qualify for a grant based on financial need can look into a federal student loan. But it’s important to know that these types of loans are only available to students who attend a vocational school that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).
The easiest and most efficient way to find out what types of financial aid you qualify for is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply online and after a short waiting period, you will receive a document that indicates exactly what types of financial aid you qualify for. But there are deadlines for the FAFSA so be sure to stay up-to- date so you do not miss out.
If you’re interested in obtaining career education at a vocational or technical school, let My College Guide help. They have the information and resources you need to simplify your search for the right career education program and school.
Federal Grants for College
Posted by admin in Financial Aid on August 25, 2011
Grants are like scholarships. They are free financial aid programs that are offered for study and the student is not required to repay the money.
Typically based on a variety of metrics, including economic need, ability to pay student status and academic requirements, Federal and state government grants are offered to students in college. Family income does not influence grants exclusively.
Types of College Grants
College students have two general types of grant programs:
* Need-based grants
* Merit-based grants
Federal Grants
One of the largest providers of student grants is the Federal government and in order to qualify, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually.
The Federal Pell Grant is the most common federal grant and is funded by the federal government. It is designed to help provide financially disadvantaged undergraduate students with financial assistance. The amount you receive each year may change Depending on federal budget restrictions; the amount that you receive each year depends on your family’s expected cost contribution, and your student status.
A type of government grant awarded only to students with the most need, the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program is typically awarded to students that have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or 0 on their financial aid Student Aid Report (SAR). First, students with the most need are provided funding. Then the remaining federal FSEOG funds “trickle down” to provide assistance to students with the next greatest level of need.
On-campus job opportunities are provided to financially needy students by the Federally-funded work-study programs. These let students earn money toward their college expenses.
One of the oldest federal educational benefit assistance programs, the military Montgomery G.I. Bill is catered to students that have served in the military. These students may qualify for a certain amount of federal funding for a college education or vocational and technical training.
Merit-Based Grants
Merit-based grants provide free college funds to students Based on academic performance and, sometimes in combination with financial need; merit-based grants provide free college funds to students. State grants are the most common types of merit-based grants. They award students with certain GPAs and income levels money for their college education. Usually requiring a separate application form, state grants may also require completion and filing of the FAFSA. Your state government’s or higher education website typically carries information and details about most state-based grants.
How to Apply for College Grants
Requiring you to file a FAFSA, most grant programs take it from here – so make this the first application you fill out. The filled in FAFSA also puts you in consideration for any federal grants. It is important to remember and submit the form by the federal and state FAFSA deadlines. Extra forms of documentation, such as academic transcripts, are required by some programs in order to qualify.
Completing the FAFSA as well as exploring your options for state-based aid, make sure that you are considered for grant money. Your college or university also may offer grant programs; therefore check for them as well.