How to Qualify for Scholarships and Grants
by Francine L. Huff
When looking at financial aid options, too many students assume they can only qualify for student loans and don't put much effort into researching scholarships and grants. However, billions of dollars in scholarships and grants are available to help pay for the cost of earning a college degree. By starting the search for funds early, you can increase the odds that you'll get your share of all the free money available to college students.
Apply for Financial Aid
The best thing about scholarships and grants is that you don't have to pay them back as long as you fulfill the awarding criteria. It's important to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), either online or on paper, to make sure you get all the aid for which you qualify. Most schools use information from the FAFSA to award loans, grants, and scholarships. File the FAFSA application as early as possible (generally after January 1 of the academic year you plan to attend) to help you meet various deadlines for scholarship and grant programs.
Special Qualifications
Thousands of scholarships are awarded each year to people who meet certain qualifications, such as members of a low-income or disadvantaged group, science majors, an artists, essay winners, spelling bee winners, athletes, or members of certain minority, ethnic, or religious groups.
Some scholarships have nothing to do with academics or the institution you plan to attend. Among the more unusual scholarships are those for people who are twins, left-handed, duck callers, very tall, very fat, or very short. Scholarships are awarded by colleges, nonprofit groups, private businesses, foundations, churches, alumni clubs, and even individuals. According to the College Board, the smaller geographic area a scholarships covers, the greater your chances of winning it, if you live in that area.
How to Find Scholarships and Avoid Scams
The search for free money may seem overwhelming at first. But a variety of free online databases are available to help you sift through all the scholarships available. Generally, you are asked for information about your background, schooling, and other affiliations to help focus on funding that applies to your situation. Check out scholarship sources at your local library and school guidance counseling office.
It isn't necessary to use paid scholarship search services to find money. Avoid any search organization that makes unrealistic claims, asks for credit card information, congratulates you on being a finalist in a contest you never entered, or asks you to pay money up front for a scholarship. You can contact the Better Business Bureau or your state attorney general's office if you suspect a scholarship scam.
Qualifying for Grants
Many financial aid packages include need-based or merit-based grants. Need-based grants take income into account. The federal Pell Grant is need-based and is generally paid only to undergraduate students. Some students enrolled in post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs, however, may also qualify. The amount you receive depends on your financial situation, whether you are a full-time or part-time student, and the cost of the school you plan to attend. Other federal grants include the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, and National SMART Grant.
State programs, colleges and universities, and private organizations all award grants. Some of these programs are targeted to women, members of the military, healthcare workers, and teachers. Some colleges and universities also are beginning to phase out loans and award grants to certain qualifying students, such as low-income or in-state residents.
To apply for scholarships and grants, you generally just have to fill out the application, which will often include an essay requirement or personal statement ensuring grantors that you plan to study hard and make good use of their money. In addition, many scholarships, even those that aren't merit-based, require students to maintain good academic standing in order to continue receiving money. So when you apply for (or accept) a scholarship or grant, be sure you're aware of all the requirements, and whether there are any conditions under which you'd have to give the money back.
A comprehensive student financial aid package can include some combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans such as the federal Stafford loan. But the more scholarships you have, the less is your financial burden once you graduate.
Sources
College Board
Federal Trade Commission
About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Money Makeover for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.
