College Scholarships

Grants is also a source of Financial Aids. However, it doesn’t have to be paid back unless you withdraw from school or do not fulfill service obligation that the Grants require.

There are many Grants from Federal government, state government, the school you are applying or various private/nonprofit organizations. For example: Pell Grants, FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants), TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants) and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, VA (Veterans’ Educational benefits), cash gifts directly to college for tuition, Employer-provided education assistance programs.

Apply for any and all Grants that you think you may be eligible for and make sure to submit applications before the deadline. Typically, the first source of funds that the college fills the student’s financial need with is State Grants.

For Federal Grants, FAFSA form is where you start. A lot of Grants are yearly basis. In order to receive them every year of the college, you will need to apply every year when you are in school.

Private scholarships are independent, non college controlled gifts aid (funded by foundations, corporations, philanthropist). Approximately one in 7-9 students receive it for undergraduate. Few undergraduate students receive full scholarships, majority of the undergraduates receive < $2,500.

“Nitro” by Sallie Mae is a tool, which can match you with different scholarships and track your college funds all in one place. You may be eligible for certain scholarships based on your grade. Interested in playing chess, writing poetry, drama, playing an instrument? There are scholarships for those. Nitro is a great starting point to find scholarships that suit you.