December 3, 2009

A Single Mom's Guide to Understanding College Scholarships

Education is expensive, if you want something cheaper, try ignorance, this is one of the cliches that has been well worn and said over a million times. But this cliche is a reality that painfully bites.

Nowadays, only a few numbers of students have parents who can really afford their education in college without placing excessive burden on their shoulders. The common scenario for youths today is working while studying at the same time, especially in college, working students as what they are termed.

Most often the academic performances of these working students suffer if they will not be able to manage their time wisely. But are we going to allow education to be exclusive only for the wealthy? The answer is, definitely not.

That is why education grants benefits and opportunities exist. The purpose of this is to help the students to sustain their college education by generating educational funds though minimal.

Grants unlike scholarships are based on the students' specific need, if not a combination of needs and merits.                                     

However, before you get this privilege, you have to be assured that you are eligible for the opportunity. Basically, the process of grants benefited both the students and the institutions that are using that grant money to develop the curriculum, employ new faculties, and construct new facilities.

The difference of grants to the scholarships and students loans is that it is given to the benefactor without any expectation of repaying it. Grant is a monetary gift. Scholarship on the other hand, is awarded according to the academic merit though it is also a monetary gift.

However, the students loans really differ among the three privileges. Students loan is the sum of money being borrowed by the student to finance his schooling with the agreement to repay it after some time with the corresponding interests.

The awarding of grants may come in general categories, or it may also be awarded to students who are pursuing a specialized degree program, like mathematics or business, or to various degree levels, such as Bachelors, Associate, Doctoral or Masters.

Also, grants may come originally from different sources: college and university, public and private organization, and federal state.

Since grants are specially meant for the financially unprivileged, certain grants exist for the deprived, under-represented minorities and students. There are also some cases wherein the grant money is exchanged for professional service after the graduation. This is common to those taking up health care professions. The main purpose of this is to keep trained professionals in medically under-served regions.

Grants are particularly taken up by the adult students to return to college or to college programs that will direct them in reentering the place of work.

This is usual since college does not anymore require for the traditional age, specifically between 18 to 24 years of age. Americans nowadays are becoming more and more practical in considering several chances to receive a degree. And this modern perception has driven adult students to flock into colleges without the fear of public scrutiny unlike before.

The world today is requiring skillful and sharp new set of labor force for them to be able to join the flow of the competitive market. And for the applicants to be credible for these characteristics they must present a college diploma.

Hence, having a college degree is really vital.

If you want more details about how to get grant and scholarship money for
college look at these other resources:

The Single Mom Grant Guide

November 3, 2009

How Single Moms Can Use Essays to Win College Grants

Whenever a single mom student thinks about going to college, the one thing that pressures her the most is the large amount of money needed for the education. The thought can almost crushes her financially to the ground.

 
Money, is traditionally the excuse for the financially unprivileged students to give up pursuing a college education.

 
However, this issue is resolved when the scholarship became accessible to the disadvantaged. Through scholarships, the expenses for college became easy for the students.

 
To most people, the term scholarship is likewise used up by time. But how far do we really understand the term scholarship?

 
It is a fact that for most students and parents the term scholarship can still be confusing. Whenever they hear the term, they directly associate it to free tuition and fees, students loans, and grants.

 
But knowing the exact process of scholarship could save your purse from financial hardship, most probably tens of thousands of dollars, as the scholarship covers your education.

 
Basically, scholarship are monetary grants given by the state government, public and private institutions and organizations, colleges, institutions, charitable foundations, guilds and the like for educational use.

 
Additionally, scholarships are different from student loans; the scholarship is money received without the condition of repaying it. While the student loans involve the agreement of repaying the borrowed money to supplement the student's college educational expenses at a certain time, and with the corresponding interests.

 
The following are the list of available scholarships:
  • National Merit Scholarship
  • Athletic Scholarship
  • Career, Professional, and Trade-Association-Sponsored Scholarships
  • Academic Merit Scholarship
  • FASFA
  • Work Study
  • Special Scholarships
  • Ethnic and Religious Scholarship
  • Alumni Legacy Scholarship
  • Transfer Student Scholarship
  • Community Organization Sponsored Scholarship

 
With all of these available scholarships it can be quite perplexing for certain students to recognize the scholarship that would fit best their qualifications.

 
Most often the problem lies on the searching process, which scholarship to apply for, and where will they apply.

 
The best answer for this setback is basically to know the proper resources. There are college scholarship search engines; you can access it for free in the internet. Through this, you will not just save your time and money; you can also get recent updates.

 
On the other hand, it is suggested that you read carefully the requirements, if you think you are fitted then you can proceed on your application, if you think you donít, and then try to look for another. Remember, as you apply for more scholarships, there will be greater chances that you will be able to win a scholarship or more.

 
Furthermore, most of the scholarships are based on the academic performances of the students, the ability for attaining and maintaining high-grades. While some are based on the studentsí artistic ability, excellence in sports, or awarded to the students who excel in a specific field.

 
The facts presented in this article can be sum up to a specific thing, once you know how to accumulate the information, the process on applying for a scholarship, and where your qualification suits, it will only be easier for you to attain financial aid throughout your college years.

 
If you want more details about how to get grant and scholarship money for
college look at these other resources:
 

October 3, 2009

College Scholarships for Single Black Moms: Passport to Success

He was the designated National Spokesman for Nation of Islam, a religious and socio-political organization founded in the United States which is aimed to resurrect the mental, social, spiritual, and economic condition of black men and women in the country as well as on other parts of the world.

He is Malcolm X.

He was the famous leader of the American civil right movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize because of his promotion of peace and equal treatment of different races throughout the world.

He is Martin Luther King, Jr.

He is the three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and one of the best pound-for-pound boxers ever existed, which made his way towards the Boxing Hall of Fame.

He is Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.

Each of them has their own world to explore and own business to attend. But there is one thing that binds them as one.

Despite of the popularity of various Black American personalities, poverty is still within the ranks of several Black American families. They experience difficulties in sending their children to college, particularly in exclusive universities such as Harvard and Yale. They can withstand the discrimination that is still present despite of everything that has happened, yet poverty is what they cannot withstand anymore.

Is there any hope for a black single mom student to study in college?

Yes, there is.

And it is through getting a college scholarship specifically for African-American students.

There are hundreds of scholarships available that are not just open to White Americans, but are also intended for Black American students. There are scholarships for minority students, college scholarships provided by Black American and African organizations (whether civic or religious), and government-sponsored scholarships for black students.

The United States Constitution clearly states that there should be no discrimination in terms of getting a solid and well-provided education to its citizens. Whether you are a white or a black, you are entitled to receive a high quality of education in the country.

With these scholarships for aspiring black single mom college students, they will be able to fulfill their dreams of becoming one of the successful personalities, just like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Muhammad Ali, who have already left a mark in their respective fields of endeavor. Poverty is just a minor obstacle there is hope on anything, including for a black single mom student who wants to take a step higher and get herself to college.

If you want more details about how to get grant and scholarship money for
college look at these other resources:

The Single Mom Grant Guide

September 3, 2009

How Single Moms can Apply for a College Scholarship

When we speak of college scholarship application, the burden is always on the parents. Since they have the responsibility over the education of their children and they know what will be good for them, parents apply personally for the college scholarship of their children.

What if we turn the tide? From primary to secondary education, your parents accepted the responsibility. But you are old enough to take care of a simple college scholarship application. It takes some courage, self-confidence, and some excellent academic records to apply for a college scholarship. Keep in mind that it is you who will utilize the financial aid that comes with the scholarship and not your parents at this point. Thus, applying for a college scholarship is now your business, and you can do it with less supervision from your parents or any other outside source.

The procedure for college scholarship application is similar when you apply for college. You need to learn every scholarship opportunity available and make a list of potential prospects that you think will fit your personal needs. Once through with the list, you need to create an application letter and state your achievements (good high school scholastic records and recommendation letters from your high school director and teachers) and you are now on your way on getting into college for less, if not for free.

The above-mentioned procedure is the most common way of getting a college scholarship. However, the chances of success lies in you, and you need to exert more effort to assure yourself of a financial aid when you go to college. To increase your chances, here are some pointers that you can consider:

You should start as early as your high school years or as soon as possible if you have been out of high school for a few years. There are many college scholarships that open during your senior high school year. In addition, these financial aid programs are only open in a specific period of time. Once the application closes, you have to wait for another year before you can file for your application. Starting early will give you better chances of getting the best financial aid available.

Pay careful attention to the scholarship requirements. Keep in mind that among all available scholarships, there are only few that will fit your qualifications. Read the eligibility standards of the college scholarship that you want to apply. If you found out that the financial aid does not fit with the qualifications that you have, search for another. Do not insist yourself on scholarships where your chances of success is minute.

Do not forget to complete the requirements asked by the college scholarship. Prepare the documents that are commonly asked by the scholarship grantee to its applicants.

Your application letter will be your spokes person to the sponsor of the college scholarship you have applied for. So, you need to create an application letter that will convince the sponsor that you honestly need the financial aid and you deserve to get one. State honest information in your application. Never include false information especially if your purpose is just to flatter the sponsor with your achievements.

After you followed the recipe, you are now ready to submit your application to the scholarship screening committee. Be prepared for other requirements (such as interviews and examinations) that will determine if you are eligible to receive a college scholarship.

Follow the aforementioned college freshman's recipe when you apply for a college scholarship. And most of all, do not forget to pray that the sponsor would consider you eligible for the college scholarship. Good luck!

If you want more details about how to get grant and scholarship money for
college look at these other resources:

The Single Mom Grant Guide

August 3, 2009

College Education for Single Moms: Scholarship Grants or Financial Aid?

How much is the cost for a college education?

Is there an available financing scheme?

Let's face the reality. College education is expensive! A lot of parents do a double take when their children are preparing and looking forward to attending a community college or a state university.

There are a lot of things which comprises the cost of college education and the tuition fee is just a part of the big picture of getting into college. Other everyday expenditure includes food, transportation, housing, pocket money, and other miscellaneous fees which when added up can create a significant portion in financing a college education.

A lot of families in this day and age, even if they belong to the upper-class society, think about applying for financial aid. College grants and scholarships are the most excellent kind of financial assistance.

Grant and scholarship programs do not require students or the family to pay back. There are two kinds: (1) grants and scholarships based on need, which is given due to the financial inability of the student and the family as a whole, and (2) grants and scholarships based on merit, the talent of the student like in sports, is the main consideration. The student's academic ability also falls under the merit-based college grant and scholarship.

Oftentimes, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to make the whole financial aid process easier. Many students and their families are on the lookout for this type of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are limited compared with the growing number of students year after year.

Qualifying students can take advantage of federal and a number of state scholarship programs. Some of which are the following:

Federal or National Pell Grants - this is a program funded nationwide intended to endow assistance to any qualified undergraduate learner pursuing post-secondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this kind are given to those who have not finished a baccalaureate degree.

The worth of the grant can vary year after year and will depend largely on the financial need of the students, the expenses that will be incurred while attending the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government.

This type of grant will open opportunity for the students to avail succeeding financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - this is a program for ongoing undergraduate students with outstanding monetary need. However, not all students can avail this type of grant. This will depend on the eligibility of the students and availability of finances of the concerned school.

Another form of financial aid that students and families can turn to is through loans. This type of financial assistance should be paid back. The financial need of the family should be considered thoroughly to avoid paying high interest rates.

It is also a must to understand all the terms of lending agencies such as the schedule of repayment and interest rates, before signing in or making a commitment.

Work study is a form of financial assistance which calls for students to do labor to sustain their college education. Work study is commonly done on campus and is the most typical form of financial aid in all universities and colleges. Usually, the students will render service to schools for ten to fifteen hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid to acquire college education is really multifaceted, confusing at times, and even exasperating. The good thing is college education is a non-refundable and non-biodegradable type of investment. It is for the future!

If you want more details about how to get grant and scholarship money for
college look at these other resources:

The Single Mom Grant Guide

July 3, 2009

How Single Moms Find College Scholarships

Women dream of having a happy and fulfilled family life. But sometimes reality can really hurt, and the fairy tale world ends with a snap of a finger. And very soon, you'll find yourself raising your kids alone without the help of your husband. Supporting a family with kids is tough, especially if you're a single mom. And the best way to be able to give your kids a decent life is to finish college, and land a good job.

Being a single mother can be very hard. You would have to do everything yourself; work hard, attend to your kids needs, and attend college classes. Oftentimes, you will have difficulty in handling your finances. And attending college requires a certain sum of money. Here is where a college scholarship will come in handy.

Different universities offer college scholarships for single moms; all you have to do is to find the right university which could help you in that aspect. The internet is also a good source of universities and institutions which offer such scholarships. Finding these universities/institutions requires a bit of your time, but it's quite worthy in the end.

Some single mothers will often think that it's the end of the world, but it is not so; though you may have many problems, getting your way through college is still very much important. At least, after you graduate, you can look for a high-paying job.

Almost any scholarship grant has pre-set standards. If you can pass these standards, you will eventually get money for college free. You donít need to pay back because it's not considered as a debt. These grants are often paid for by the government and other private organizations. The money that you will receive can be used to pay for tuition fees and other university fees.

How will you start your search? Well, you can start by asking for information from your state department for college/higher education, local library, financial aid departments, and guidance counselors. You can also ask your employer (if you're presently employed) and some of your friends.

You can choose from many deals, and beware of scams for there are a great many who want to victimize you. Check all possible scholarship deals that you may encounter, know the qualifications required like transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, and other important papers which can prove your eligibility.

Applying for a college scholarship is just like applying for a job. So make yourself presentable, and get all your important papers in proper order. There are times when you may have second thoughts about going back to college, but your future lies in your bare hands. Talk with family and friends who can provide you with your needed support as you go through this stage; ask for advice and finally, arrive at a decision.

If you think, you can pull it through to college, with a family and work to manage, donít waste your chance. College scholarships are free, so why not just do it.

Some of the college scholarships for single mothers are Women's Opportunity Award and the Raise the Nation Scholarship. Resources for college scholarships are not hard to find. Prepare for your kids' future and look for scholarship which can support your college needs. The job that you've wanted to have is just within your arms reach.

If you want more details about how to get grant and scholarship money for
college look at these other resources:

The Single Mom Grant Guide