As a veteran or an active duty service member, you’re probably well aware of the fact that you have access to exclusive benefits that can help you pay for your education. Programs like Tuition Assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill both pay money toward the cost of tuition and fees for college.
As a veteran or an active duty service member, you’re probably well aware of the fact that you have access to exclusive benefits that can help you pay for your education. Programs like Tuition Assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill both pay money toward the cost of tuition and fees for college.
But these programs both have their limitations. (Not to mention the fact that the Tuition Assistance program has yet to officially begin after being put on hiatus during sequestration.) So, looking to get college tuition help often goes beyond what you’re afforded by your military benefits.
Whether you’re looking to expand your own personal growth through continuing education, or you want to save up for your children’s tuition, there are tons of helpful resources that might help you overcome the high costs of college.
Grants
Grants are a set amount of money gifted to a college student based on their family’s total income, gender, racial background, career path or academic needs. Grants are a good financial aid opportunity because they’re simple to apply for and don’t require any repayment.
- The process of receiving grants begins with filling out your (or your child’s) FAFSA. The FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a very simple online process. The completion of this form will guide you toward grants for which you’re eligible.
- The most common grant received by students is the Pell Grant. The Pell Grant is a federally funded grant based solely on genuine financial need. You’re qualified to apply again each school year as long as you maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. The highest amount a student can receive is $5,350 per year.
- There are hundreds of additional federal and state grants, specific to subject, academic excellence, gender, military background and ethnicity. Websites like CollegeGrants.org and CollegeGrant.net are helpful tools in assisting students in search of grants for which they may be eligible.
- Note: FAFSA does have different deadlines (based on location and school) for applying each year. It’ll benefit you to know these deadlines and complete your form early in the year!
- Every scholarship will have some kind of deadline to apply. These deadlines fall at all different times throughout the year.
- Most scholarships will either have an age limit, or be limited to citizens of a certain country or region. Some will only require that you plan to attend school.
- There’s usually no application fee associated with scholarships.
- Most commonly, you’ll be asked to fill out a form and answer a prompt in a short essay format.
- Other scholarships are as simple as submitting your name and email address, while some require you to create a large project exhibiting the traits or skills they’re looking for. Generally, the more extensive projects offer a larger monetary prize.
- Scholarships range from a single check for $50 to a yearly payment of $30,000!
- More than 3,400 educational institutions are currently involved with the program.
- Work-study programs offer part-time work to students, which are tailored around each individual’s class schedule.
- The program promotes community service, working on campus and work specializing in the student’s field of study.
- Statistics show college graduates earn much more in their lifetime than those with a high school diploma alone. Consider student loans an investment in your future.
- Meet with a counselor or financial aid expert at your potential college and discuss specific loan options. It’s best to complete your financial aid directly through your school to avoid any confusion.
- Generally, interest doesn’t accrue while you’re still attending school, and you aren’t expected to pay back any loans until you have your degree.
- You can also receive private student loans, though the details on these loans differ depending on the specific loan and are considered to be more expensive overall.