Students who are looking for ways to pay for their post-secondary education can apply to several programs for grants and scholarships. These financial awards are given to those who meet the qualifications of the programs. Here is a list of three (3) grant and scholarship opportunities that are available to students.
Federal Pell Grants
One of the core grants available to students who need financial assistance to pay for college is the federal Pell grants. Once known as the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (BEOG), the federal Pell grant is open to all undergraduate students who have not received their first bachelor’s degree or are enrolled in post-baccalaureate programs for teaching. This grant is accepted at over 5,400 technical schools, colleges and universities around the country.
To determine eligibility, students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Information provided on the FAFSA form is used to calculate the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) amount, which establishes how much a student’s family can pay towards school. Also determining eligibility and award amounts is whether the student is attending school full or part time, if they are attending school for the entire academic year or less and the school’s cost of attendance. To apply or for more information, visit the Federal Pell Grant Program website, call 1-800-877-5327or write to:
- U.S. Department of Education
- 400 Maryland Avenue SW
- Washington, DC 20202
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Another financial award that is available to students is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This grant is open to students who show an exceptional need for financial assistance to pay for school. Students who are federal Pell grant recipients are eligible for these grants with those having the lowest expected family contribution (EFC) amounts receiving higher consideration.
FSEOG amounts range from $100 to $4,000 per year. Other factors that determine FSEOG amounts include when the application was submitted, the school’s available funding as well as their financial aid policies. To apply for this grant or for more information visit the FSEOG website, call 1-800-877-5327 or write to:
- U.S. Department of Education
- 400 Maryland Avenue SW
- Washington, DC 20202
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fund
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fund program sponsors merit-based financial awards that are given to students to pay for graduate school. The scholarships are worth up to $30,000. These competitive awards are given to students who have met the criteria set by the scholarship program which includes participating in at least two activities such as community service, student government, campus extracurricular activities, nonpartisan political activities and military/ROTC. Applicants must also want to earn either a master’s, doctorate or a professional degree such as a law degree and are pursuing a career in public service, government or education.
Students must be a junior in college at the time of application. To apply for this scholarship or for more information visit the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fund website, call 202-395-4831 or write to:
- The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
- 712 Jackson Place NW
- Washington, DC 20006
Sources:
Department of Education. The Federal Pell Grant Program (accessed June 29, 2010).
Department of Education. FSEOG (accessed June 29, 2010).
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fund. Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fund (accessed June 29, 2010).
Jarrod Howell - Jarrod Howell is a graduate of Thaddeus Stevens College. He has been a freelance writer for a couple of years with most of his articles ...
