College Scholarships and Grants

There is literally millions of dollars given away each year in the form of college scholarships and grants. Finding the program that fits a certain individuals needs can seem a little overwhelming at times and for good reason.

Financial aid programs come in all shapes and sizes. Each program is structured differently and each has their own eligibility requirements. Here is a brief overview of some of the more popular financial aid programs that are available.

Federal Pell Grant – The Federal Pell Grant is probably the most well known out of all the financial aid programs. This program is a post-secondary, educational federal grant program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and is usually awarded to undergraduate students that haven’t earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree.

The maximum grant amount for the 2011-2012 year is $5,550 and should increase by 2013. Students who require smaller amounts will receive less. Pell Grant money can be used for tuition, fees and educational expenses such as textbooks and materials for school.

Unlike loans, the Pell Grant is not repaid unless, for example, you are awarded funds incorrectly or you withdraw from school prior to the end of term. Learn more about the Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Program (FSEOG) – The FSEOG program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. FSEOG awards range from $100 to $4000 a year. This amount is determined by the school’s financial aid office. However, not all schools participate in the FSEOG Program. Learn more about the FSEOG program

National Merit Scholarship Program – For over a half a century, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation has been a leader in identifying scholastically talented young women and men a supporting their educational goals. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test. Learn more about the National Merit Scholarship

National SMART Grant - The SMART grant program is for full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in the third or fourth year of undergraduate study.

The award is for up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years.

To receive a National SMART Grant, you must

• be Pell Grant-eligible during the same award year;

• be enrolled at least half-time;*

• be in the third or fourth year* of an undergraduate

   degree program (or fifth year of a five-year program);

• be pursuing a major with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in

   physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology,

   engineering or a critical foreign language; or non-major single

    liberal arts programs, and

• have at least a 3.0 GPA as of the end of the second award year

   and continue to maintain a 3.0 GPA that must be checked

   prior to the beginning of each payment period (e.g., semester).

Learn more about the National SMART Grant

Academic Competitiveness Grant - This relatively new grant was first offered in 2006 to students that were graduating from high school in the 2005-2006 academic year or to second year college students who had graduated from high school in 2005. Learn more about the Academic Competitiveness Grant

Teach Grant Program - You can get a free ride to college with this program. There are some stipulations that you must agree to. You have to sign a contract and things could get financially ugly if you try to back out of the agreement.  Learn more about the Teach Grant Program

Hispanic Scholarship Fund - The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is an umbrella fund that offers many different scholarships to Hispanic American students. If you are Hispanic American do not let this opportunity slip by.  Learn more about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship - Salllie Mae Fund Scholarship Program is a charitable organization that is in place to assist students in need with college tuition costs. This initiative has awarded over one hundred and twenty three  million dollars in scholarships since 2001.  Learn more about the Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship Program

United Negro College Fund (UNCF) - The fund began as a necessity and is still very much a necessity today. Many people have benefited from this fund. The fund helps 10,000 college students each year with financial assistance and paid internships so that college is a reality. Learn more about UNCF

Talbots Women Scholarship Fund - You have to register to apply on the Talbot website. Once you register to apply you can begin the application process. There are documents that you can gather that will be helpful in the application process.  Learn more about the Talbots Women Scholarship Fund

There are literally thousands of college scholarships and grants available to aspiring students for continuing education. The key is knowing where to look for these college scholarships and grants and HOW to apply.