Archive for the ‘Grants For Women’ Category

Grants For Women

October 19th, 2010 admin

Many women forgo a chance to finish their degree so they can get married and raise their kids. Once their kids are in school or when they find themselves in need of a career to bring in some extra money to the family, many of these women find that they really wish to go back to school. They often feel, however, that it is impossible, and mistakenly assume that all money for higher education is targeted at high school kids. The good news is that there are a variety of grants and scholarships available to women who want to go back to school and pursue a degree, you just have to know where to look for them.

One option is the Jeanette Rankin Foundation, which offers money to low-income women who are 35 or older and wish to head back to school. The $2,000 grants are available to women who can show how a degree will help them improve their lives, their families’ situations, and their community as a whole.

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers money to women who wish to pursue a post-graduate degree in accounting. The award ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.

Sometimes women face a situation where they need to return to work after leaving, whether to have a baby or work form home for a while. When this happens, many find they lack the new skills necessary to compete with new college graduates in the field. The Possible Woman Foundation International offers $2,000 o $4,000 scholarships for women in this situation, which allows them to re-enter the workforce with the new skills they need for success.

If you have an undergraduate degree and are looking to improve upon it, consider the Selected Professions Fellowships. These are sponsored by the American Association of University Women, and they offer substantial amounts of money, between $5,000 and $20,000, to women who are returning to school for graduate in a specific field, such as architecture, computer and information sciences, math and statistics, or engineering.

While many of the scholarships focus on women who are pursuing a degree in science or math, there are some for artistic women as well. For instance, the College Art Association offers $5,000 fellowships for applicants coming from communities that are marginalized from artistic professions, and the National Sculpture Society offers $1,000 to students who wish to study culture.

These are just some of the many options out there for women returning to school. Remember, you quit school to care for your family. Now it is time for you to do something for yourself, so both you and them can have a brighter future!

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Pell Grants

October 18th, 2010 admin

One of the most widely available grant programs for students entering college is the Federal Pell Grant  program. These are one of the few government sources of “free” money for college. Students who are eligible for Pell Grants do not have to pay back the money. They are also not awarded based on grades. This is a needs-based grant program that awards money based on a student’s Expected Family Contribution. Those who have significant financial need can receive money.

The amount of money students can get through the Pell Grant program varies from year to year. The government decides how much money to put into the program, and that dictates the amount of the award. The amount is also chosen based on how much the college classes will cost, what the Expected Family Contribution is going to be, and whether or not the student is enrolled full time. For the 2008-2009 school year, the maximum amount a student could receive through the program was $4,731.

One interesting difference between the Pell Grant program and the federal loans is that students are not subject to a lifetime cap. With the federal loans, there is a limit on how much money a student can borrow. Pell Grants are only limited by the students and the length of time it takes them to get their first bachelors degree. If that takes eight years, the money is available for eight years.

The only way to apply for a Pell Grant is to fill out the FAFSA. Be honest on this form, because failure to report all income or assets will result in tough penalties, including possible jail time. This form is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution. If you think your family has too much money or too many assets, fill out the form anyway. The formula is complicated, and you may qualify for some help that you do not know of.

Since this is also the way to qualify for federal loan programs, go ahead and fill it out. The form will go to your college, where they will subtract the Expected Family Contribution from the cost of attendance to determine how much you will be expected to pay. If you are going to receive Pell Grant money, you will receive an award letter. There is nothing else you can do to ensure that you get this money. While you wait, pursue other financial aid options. Even if you do receive a Pell Grant, it will not be sufficient to pay for all of your schooling, so keep your eyes open for other help.

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Nursing Grants

October 15th, 2010 admin

If you need nursing grants to help cover your education, you will first have to file for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the starting point for applying for any financial help. After filling out the application, you can talk with a counselor about the different types of grants available for financial aid.

Because nurses are in high demand, there are many resources available from universities and the government. After you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a counselor can determine what type of grant you can apply for and what contributions the grants can offer. You must fill out a new FAFSA for every year that you need to have financial assistance. In some cases, you may be eligible for more or less financial assistance.

Because you need nursing grants, you should actively search for grant options. The demand for nurses does create new grants and scholarships on a regular basis. A counselor can help you with this information as well. When a grant becomes available, you should find out if you qualify to apply. One place you should look for updated information on a nursing career and new grants available is the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Researching for nursing grants is vital to finding all the grants that you might qualify for paying some or all of the tuition. Some knowledge about different grants and scholarships is important. Where they can come from is also something you need to research to understand the different organizations that have nursing grants available throughout the year. When you find a grant, you will enter the information that you entered on the FAFSA. The grants might require more in-depth information about you. Be prepared to search for grants on a weekly basis to find as many as you can that might apply to you.

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Hispanic Grants For School

October 13th, 2010 admin

Hispanic students who are headed to school have several scholarship and grant options to consider. These programs, designed particularly for students of Latino heritage, make it possible for this often underserved minority group to have the same privileges as the rest of the population, privileges which are often reserved for those who have a higher education.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers students access to a variety or programs designed for Latino students. The Gates Millennium Scholars program is one of these. It serves minority students of all nationalities, including Latino students. The program was developed through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 1999 and is available to graduating high school seniors. This program awards students with high GPAs with money for school regardless of the degree program they pursue. GPAs for applicants must average 3.3, and applicants must also be in significant financial need and have good leadership skills.

The Margoes Foundation offers a scholarship with the help of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. This program, open only to San Francisco area Latino students, is available to seniors who participate in the College Connect program. Awards can be as high as $2,500.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund assists eligible students through the General College Scholarship program. Competition for these awards is strong, but Latino students who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, have a GPA of at least 3.0, and are going to attend school full-time in a degree program, whether it be a two-year or four-year degree, can qualify for the program. It is available to both undergraduate and graduate students, but only if they are pursuing their first degree of that type. The typical award is between $1,000 and $5,000.

Latino students who are looking to pursue a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree (STEM field) may qualify for the Proctor and Gamble Company scholarship offered through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. This $2,500 scholarship, which is available in a limited number of areas, is offered to Hispanic students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The students must plan to attend a full-time degree program in the United States or one of the qualifying territories.

All of these scholarships require the FAFSA to be completed prior to applying. The FAFSA is used to determine financial need, which is one of the ways the committees decide which students will be awarded money for school. To find out more about the programs available to Latino students, visit the Hispanic Scholarship Fund or talk to your school’s financial aid or guidance counselor.

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