Make it Through College in One Piece – Apply for a Student Grant to Ease the Financial Pressure of Study!
Student Debt: Denying the American Dream
Your tertiary study can be one of the most important times in your life.
Almost everybody wants to do well in life, whatever their chosen career path. For many of us, this requires us to spend time studying at college.
However, college can be a very expensive venture.
Not everyone is able to afford the fees involved in getting their degree, and this sadly stops many from attending college at all. Those who do manage to push through can find the costs of study and living while at school to be immense and extremely hard to handle.
If you are really find it difficult to continue your study, then perhaps it is the right time to look for government grants for students.
They are notoriously hard to attain, but if you qualify then grants for students are one of the best ways to finance your education.
These grants are available to us through the various social measures taken by our government for those in need. The grants are funded by tax collected from citizens every year – and you can be assured that it is one of the better uses of your tax money!
Grants for students differ from student loans in that the grant is not required to be repaid.
Many private organizations and professional associations, not just federal bodies, also offer grants and these may be awarded to students depending upon the student's financial needs and other particulars such as religion and ethnicity.
There are various grants available to students, a few of them being Federal Pell grants, Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership and National science Scholars Programs.
Federal Pell grants are awarded to part time or full time students and do not require any other academic achievement or a minimum point grade.
You must be a U.S. citizen, must have passed high school and received a diploma. If you register you could receive one Pell grant per annum. You will be asked to submit an application through your school and if eligible you will receive your Federal Pell grant through your school directly.
If you are approved for the Federal Pell grant, you are also eligible for the Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant.
Another financial based grant for students is the Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This grant is available to undergraduate student in financial need.
You are required to fill a form titled the Free Application For Students Aid (FAFSA) that will determine your eligibility and financial condition. On the basis of your application you will be given a suitable grant.
Some grants are available for meritorious students and includes Robert C. Byrd Honors scholarship program, National Science Scholar Program etc. These generally go to only the most gifted students in each field.
How do I apply for a grant?
The exact process will be different for each grant. It is important that you find out precisely what you will need for your application, as there is sure to be heavy competition for the grant and any mistakes or omissions could make a difference.
Many grant applications require you to write an essay, usually on yourself and why you believe you deserve the grant. This is probably the single most important part of your application and therefore you should put a lot of thought into what you write.
There are many services across the country that will write your grant essay for you, for a fee. The company will interview you to find out who you are and what you would like to be written, and then have one of their professional writers make up the essay to your specifications.
This might sound like the best way to go about the essay-writing process. However, consider the fact that an essay written by you, from the heart, may be more effective in the long run.
Also, you will usually be asked to provide the names of 2-3 referees who will vouch for your character and your achievements.
Choose these referees carefully. You should choose a cross-section of people from your life – perhaps a teacher, a sports coach, a religious leader, a doctor, a judge – somebody who is prominent within your community and who knows you well.
The referees should ideally give you a fair reference – not too overly gushing, but not negative at all. You want them to be able to list all of your good points and be honest about any shortcomings if asked.
Receiving a student grant can change your college experience. When the financial strain is lifted from your shoulders, you will be able to devote more of your time and energy to studying and receiving that degree.
Look up student grant applications today to see what you are eligible for. It could be the start of your road to honors!