GRANTS RESEARCHING GRANTS If the college you are planning on attending does not offer a tuition assistance package or you are not eligible for one, you will have to find ways to pay for college in other places. Grants are a good place to start. Grants are given by companies, institutions, organizations, and private citizens to promote the educational experience. These are awards that will not have to be paid back and are used expressly for tuition, room and board, and for the cost of books. Grants can range widely in the amounts students will receive. While some grants promise to pay room and board costs, other will only promise to pay for the cost of books. You will have to find grants that will suit your financial needs. You should start applying for grants a year before you head off to college. You can apply for most grants even before you find a college. This is a good idea since many people apply each year and there is only a limited amount of money that will be awarded. There are many types of grants. The following is a list of the typical grants that are offered to students each year: Academic Competitiveness grants – These are grants that students receive after they have met certain academic criteria. Awards are usually based on availability of funds. All you will have to do is fill out an application and send a transcript of your grades. The earlier you submit your application, the better your chances are at receiving a grant. Pell grants – These are grants that are given by the Federal government. The amount you can receive will be determined by your family’s income level and the amount of money they have to contribute to your college education. Most people are eligible for these grants. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant – This grant is similar to the Pell grant except that it is given to those who demonstrate the most financial need. You can apply for this grant if you feel you would meet the criteria. SMART grants – If you are already enrolled in college and are in your third or fourth year, you may qualify for this grant. It is mostly for those who have high scores in math and science. Private Organization grants – Each year, corporations and private citizens establish grant programs to help students pay for their college education. You should research local grants that are offered to see if you will qualify. Since many people apply for these grants, you may have to submit an essay of give a short speech to the organization expressing why you are the best candidate for a grant. These are highly competitive grants because of the amount of money that is given away each year.
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