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Need Money for School? Try Ethnic Based College Scholarships

Dania Mallette — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:00:33 +0000

Scholarships are among the most popular ways of securing the funds needed to afford college. More often than not, obtaining a degree is challenging for many families because of the high cost-from tuition and housing to books and other related costs, few would disagree with the fact that achieving higher education can run a small fortune. There are plenty of scholarships available but with so many people vying for the same ones, it is helpful to step outside of the box and go for scholarships that don’t have as many applicants to compete against.

Not the greatest at sports? Don’t have a long list of extra-curricular activities to boast about? Then why not keep things simple and apply for scholarship opportunities that allow you to spotlight your cultural background?

What Are Ethnic Based Scholarships?

As the name implies, these types of college scholarships are awarded to students that identify with a specific racial/cultural background. Common examples include: African American scholarships, Native American scholarships, Asian American scholarships and so on. Awarding such funds aims to improve the educational opportunities for minorities, especially those that come from financially disadvantaged families or communities.

Where to Find Ethnic Based Scholarships?

The Internet is the primary source for coming across the newest and most updated ethnic based scholarships. To narrow down your web results, look for scholarship opportunities according to your ethnic background. Doing so will filter out the scholarships that do not apply, making it much easier to browse through your final list of results. There are entire websites devoted to providing this type of content free of charge.

How Much Money Can I Receive?

When it comes to ethnic based scholarships, the monetary amount awarded to students varies from organization to organization. Larger foundations typically have no problem giving out large amounts up to $5,000 or higher. Smaller foundations may only offer $500 to $1,000 or more.

Tips for Applying

Don’t be too selective. In addition to applying to the ethnic based scholarships that offer thousands of dollars, also apply for the ones that award a few hundred dollars. Because there is usually no limit to the number of scholarships you can apply to, this means even getting a handful of smaller paying scholarships could still add up to $1,000 or more. Every cent counts!

Make sure to read the directions. Each scholarship comes with its own set of instructions for completion as well as a list of criteria that must be met. Before diving in and filling out forms and gathering documentation, make sure you actually meet the requirements. Only apply to ethnic based scholarships that you are 100% eligible for.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can. The more scholarships you’re able to secure, the more money you’ll have available to fund your college education. Search for and apply to a variety. If you’re of a mixed ethnic background, expand your search options to include the different races you are and apply accordingly.

Check that it’s legit. Believe it or not, there are fake scholarships out there. Avoid becoming a victim by doing research and only apply to those that can be easily verified through online resources as well as contacting the foundation directly.

Following these steps will give you the best chance possible for financing your college education.

Finding College Grants to Fund Your College Expenses

Arnab.Anuavab — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:30:08 +0000

You’ve decided to go to a college for higher education and one thing that has been continuously bothering you is the finances which you need to fund your college education. Planning for college grants is equally important, in the same manner you work on selecting your college and courses. While thinking about paying for the hefty college fees, you seem to be a little anxious. If you too are lost in the thoughts of how to manage college grants, the information below will be helpful in finding a suitable funding option for your college fees.

Student Grants for Colleges

Colleges offer student grants that are the best way to fund your college education. Most colleges fix certain guidelines for awarding such privileges to the students. You can check on the college websites for these guidelines. If your case falls within the purview of these guidelines, you will certainly get college grants. Most colleges check your family income to offer you a grant. If they think that your family income is considerably low to fund your college expenses, you will get the grants. These grants are absolutely free. Unlike student loans, you don’t need to pay them back after a certain period of time. Don’t you think this is the best way to manage funds for your college fees?

Where to Find College Grants

Finding a grant isn’t that difficult, you might be thinking about. Today, at this internet age, most college websites will give you a comprehensive knowledge on the available funding options and the criteria of availing that. And if you don’t find any information online, your one visit to a college campus will clear everything to you. In the campus, you will have to locate the college financial assistance office and have to talk to one of the counselors there. The counselor will detail out everything about the college grants and also whether you will be eligible for the grants or not. If you find yourself fulfilling their criteria, ask for the form. Fill it and submit to them to avail the opportunity.

Various types of grants for college students are available. You need to find them. Even you can apply online for grants, these days.

Secrets High School Seniors Should Know About College Scholarships

Nohel — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:34:19 +0000

Education, though very expensive, is one of the biggest and most important investments in your life. The cost involved in securing a quality education at a recognized institution has rendered a lot of people bankrupt. But there are others who get away with it and come out becoming graduates with little to no debt. You too, can be like them if you put in the effort to find financing. College Scholarships are one of the best ways of obtaining financial support for higher education and have saved many parents as well as students from the shackles impossible debt that arises from tuition costs. But with a bit of research and persistence, you can get your hands on college scholarships for high school seniors and make college an affordable goal.

What Does Getting Scholarships for High School Seniors Entail?

You have to work hard in order to come out with a good result. Selections for most of the scholarships around are predicated upon your final grade in high school. So you have to work towards good academic performance to be qualified for a nice scholarship award. Once you finish high school, the first thing you do is select the college or university you want to go to. You can easily do this by making a scholarship checklist of the different requirements of scholarships for high school seniors in order to choose the university of your preference. Get to know what type of aid is available at your chosen school. With this, you will be able to know which is the right college for you, then you can move onto the scholarship search.

Looking For Scholarships for High School Seniors

This is the stage that separates the successful students from the lazy students. The next thing to do is do some research. The Internet is probably your best bet for getting information about various college financing options. Perform a simple search and you will get a list of websites that provide listings for college scholarships for high school seniors. But at this stage, when you choose, try and choose wisely. There are a lot of scam scholarships around. One simple thing to keep in mind is the fact that any website asking you to pay to apply for scholarship is a scam. You don’t pay to receive money! It’s really just common sense. Scholarships are free money that are given out based on specified criteria for selection with no strings attached.

Picture Yourself in the Future!

Having considered these points, picture yourself in 10 years. Where will you be? What will your career be? This can help you decide on your path. This can help you locate the appropriate scholarships for high school seniors as well. Read the instructions on the scholarship applications thoroughly. Have your mom or dad or a trusted friend read over it for you. Review the guidelines several times and if an essay is required, proofread it. This is your future we’re talking about here, so it’s vital that you put in the extra time needed to make sure you’ve filled out the scholarship applications properly. How else do you expect to get scholarships for high school seniors?

Finding College Scholarships to follow a Higher Education Dream

Arnab.Anuavab — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:12:54 +0000

Many students fail to obtain a higher education because of the expensive cost attached to it. For all such students, college scholarships can be an effective means to continue their advanced education. A deserving student is often offered scholarships by colleges and universities. Besides colleges, there are other patrons as well who offer scholarships to the deserving candidates. Many students are not aware of these benefactors and fail to pursue their higher education dream. Here is the information that you can use to chase your dream of higher education and get helped by a sponsor in the process.

Types of Scholarships

Besides institutional scholarships, there are several benefactors who offer college scholarships to the students. Some of these patrons are attached to specific colleges or universities and certain number of seats are reserved for the candidates sponsored by them. Check a particular college website, if they have such types of scholarships. They have different criteria to fill these seats. Besides your previous education records, they may give importance to your extra skills in music, science or any other subject. Some also keep in mind your parents’ income level while deciding on your candidature on available college scholarships. So, you may need your parents’ salary certificates as well in order to claim a scholarship.

Special Scholarships

These are the scholarships where instead of your academic talents other achievements are given more importance. For example, if you are very good at any sport, your credential as a national level or a state level player will get you a seat reserved for a student with extra-ordinary sports achievements. These days, many colleges are promoting sportsmanship and have few seats reserved for the talented students with special achievements in any sports. Besides that, physically challenged students are also offered college scholarships by almost all reputed educational institutions. If you carry a certificate of a physically disabled person, you can be eligible for such scholarships.

When there is a will, there is a way. This old proverb would guide you to find a scholarship to fund your advanced education dream. Spend few hours on internet, and you will come across a lot many scholarship opportunities existing on this earth. And one of them will be definitely be for you.

How To Find Legitimate External Scholarships

Nohel — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:00:35 +0000

External Scholarships

College scholarships are funds made available by an institution and awarded to any qualified student to further education. They are awarded based on various criteria such as academic achievement, special talents, ethnic origin, religious affiliation and other circumstances or characteristics. There are basically two kinds of scholarships: internal and external. Internal scholarships are those offered by the college or university while the external ones are those offered by outside organizations.

However, with the widespread proliferation of college scholarships, it has become increasingly important for students to tread carefully while looking for college scholarships. These days, there are a lot of scholarship websites out there parading all manner of material listings for scholarships and grants. A lot of them will ask you to pay an application fee. The truth is that anybody that asks you to pay to apply for any scholarship is a scammer. But how do you really know where to find a genuine external scholarship without getting scammed? In this article, I have suggested some tips that will guide you towards taking the right steps.

The three major sources where you can find the most legitimate scholarships are:

Federal Government
College and Universities
Private Organizations (Profit and Non-Profit)

The following are tips on how you can search for scholarships from each of these sources.

External Scholarships on the Internet

For obvious reasons, the simplest and most veritable platform to research about scholarships is on the Internet. Although there are a stream of websites now that showcase all sorts of scholarship opportunities, you have to be careful which ones you go for. There are a lot of scam sites now that claim to be affiliated with accredited organizations. So many people have been duped in the course of looking for college scholarships. Make sure you go for those websites belonging to public benefits organizations. For instance, the U.S. Department of Education is a good place to find federal financial aid as is the United Negro College Fund. If you know how to use search engines, you will able to find suitable ones.

College Financial Aid Office

Apart from institutional financial assistance that they have in place for students, most colleges and universities also provide information on external scholarships and financial aid through their Financial Aid Office. It is usually important to contact this office in order to get adequate information about different types of scholarships available, their requirements, deadlines, and other details. Just visit the college website then navigate to the financial aid portal for contact details such as emails, fax, physical office address, etc.

External Scholarships at the Library
Another great place to get scholarships, as well as other types of financial aid information is your local or college library where you can find materials listing scholarships that you may be eligible for. You can also get supplemental information from the librarian; make sure you take advantage of this as well. Also, online libraries can see you through your scholarship search.

If you can take advantage of the above-mentioned sources, you will save yourself from scholarship scams.

For students in the San Mateo and San Francisco (California) areas, check out:

Silicon Valley Community Foundation Scholarships

Chicana Latina Foundation

College To Careers You’re In! Scholarship

The Stats on Financial Aid

Ryan Collins — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:00:59 +0000

San Francisco, CA (CollegetoCareers.com) – For many students, it is nearly impossible to obtain a degree without going into debt.

According to Forbes, student loan debt surpassed credit card debt for the first time this year. While federal loans typically provide students with low-interest rates, as many as 10 percent of college students continue to default on their loans.

Forbes writer Tim Chen reports that a subsidized Stafford loan charges 4.5 percent at the time of writing; the Parent PLUS Loan, 7.9 percent; and the Discover private student loan, a varying interest rate, which stops at 18 percent. Interest rates, other fees and a large principal force almost 10 percent of college students to default on their federal loans.

College tuition rates exceed the national rate of inflation and, according to Forbes, now play “Road Runner to the median wage’s inert anvil, post-cliff drop.” The bottom line: more and more students graduate with debt as high as six figures, and many default on their federal loans, sometimes as a result.

The Forbes writer recommends that students look for options that would allow for loan deferment. Most offer a long list of acceptable reasons for deferment, which all prudent and cash-strapped students should review.

Still, if you have money, it is suggested that you pay it off now. Students sometimes wait for decades to pay off their loans, and the sooner, the better.

Student loans are sometimes more difficult to pay off, because students are unable to pay with credit cards. Defaulting on a federal loan can also lead to the seizure of income tax refunds until the loan is repaid. Other possible consequences: the loss of social security benefits.

Although it isn’t possible to pay off the loan via credit card, loan consolidation remains a possibility that can help lessen the burden of monthly payments. When loans undergo consolidation, students usually pay a weighted average of their interest rates on existing loans, which stop at 8.25 percent. Consolidation only decreases interest if it is above the cap, but it can help extend the pay period and potentially reduce monthly payments.

If possible, you should avoid taking out a student loan in the first place. Financial aid and college scholarships always offer the best and most preferable alternatives.

For more information on paying for college, visit our college grants page.

What are your thoughts? Feel free to leave any comments below.

Miami School Offers Free Education

Ryan Collins — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:30:06 +0000

Miami, Fla. (CollegetoCareers.com) – The nation’s largest higher education institution, Miami Dade College, recently announced its American Dream Scholarship, which would offer high school graduates with a free education.

With news of tuition hikes and budget cuts spreading across the country, the Miami school’s news comes as a bit of encouragement for high school seniors and recent high school graduates who are trying to figure out how to pay for higher education in today’s struggling economy.

The American Dream Scholarship would completely pay for 60 credits, a value of $6,500. This new scholarship would either completely pay for a student’s two-year program at the community college or help them with half of their four-year program and provide them with a start they might not otherwise be able to achieve.

The scholarship will be offered this spring to current high school seniors who are planning to apply and enroll in Miami Dade College in the fall. Students must have a 3.0 grade point average to qualify for the scholarship, and they must also test out of remedial math and reading courses.

The Christian Science Monitor said that Miami Dade College’s new college scholarship is one of many efforts across the country to encourage students to pursue a post-secondary education. One of the most famous initiatives was made by President Obama, who said that he wants the U.S. to be number one in the proportion of young adults who have college degrees by 2020.

The Christian Science Monitor said that this feat can only be achieved in the U.S. graduated 8 million more students. Florida would specifically have to produce more than half a million additional college graduates in order to fulfill its share and help achieve this goal.

The American Dream Scholarship would not cover additional costs such as food and board and college textbooks and would only cover the cost of tuition. School administrators are hoping that this scholarship will still provide help to some students who would otherwise not be able to attend their college. They are also hoping it will serve as an incentive for students who might have feared that they wouldn’t be able to afford higher education.

For more on on paying for college, visit College Scholarships.

School Donation Stands Apart

Ryan Collins — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:00:11 +0000

Bakersfield, CA (CollegetoCareers.com) – Despite the recent budget cuts, all is not completely hopeless for higher education institutions, or so it would seem.

While many universities and colleges feel obligated to cut programs and costs, which lead to higher tuition and less financial aid, help is reaching some institutions in the form of private donations from wealthy benefactors.

More recently, Bakersfield College in California received the single largest donation to any community college in the nation by a single individual.

According to The Los Angeles Times’ blog, the history-making $13.7-million gift beat out competition from a $10 million gift by the Eli and Edyth Broad support arts programming at Santa Monica Community College.

In 2008, the Bernard Osher Foundation donated a record-breaking $50 million for financial aid to the community college system in California that helped students pay for things such as their books, supplies, tools and uniforms. That was the largest donation of its kind on that level.

A Bakersfield, Calif. dermatologist, 95-year-old Dr. Norman Levan, was the gracious donator who made the history-making donation. Dr. Levan’s donation is going to be used by the community college for a scholarship endowment that will help Bakersfield College students pay for things such as fees, books and a portion of living expenses. The scholarship endowment is expected to help around 250 of the community college’s students.

Although Dr. Levan, who still sees patients regularly, is not a graduate of Bakersfield College and did not actually go to the community college, he developed a philanthropic relationship with the school. A former president of the community college, John Collins, befriended the generous donor by becoming a patient of the dermatologist.

The dermatologist has donated $19.4 million in total to the school in the past five years. In addition to the recent $13.7-million gift he gave to Bakersfield College this year, Dr. Levan donated $5.7 million to the school in 2006. A widower with no children of his own, the The Los Angeles Times’ blog said that Dr. Levan is known for his philanthropy throughout the higher education community. He has also made generous donations to the University of Southern California and St. John’s College in Santa Fe, N.M., where he studied.

The Facts about Financial Aid

Ryan Collins — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:01:43 +0000

San Francisco, CA (CollegetoCareers.com) – When students consider accepting college loans or financial aid, finalizing the small details can become as important as the research that goes into deciding which college to attend.

While some financial aid packages or college loans might seem appealing or the best option to help a person pay for higher education, the small details and hang-ups associated with payments might hurt someone over the long haul.

Myra Smith, the College Board’s executive director of financial aid services, told The Boston Globe that gifts, aid and student loans differ more than student might know, and that even various types of loans can possess a wide range of discrepancies.

When considering college loans or college grants, students should make sure to note whether they are renewable and whether such aid imposes strict guidelines for the recipient, such as higher than average or difficult to maintain grade point averages that might be strenuous for a first-time student to achieve.

The Boston Globe suggests that students consider the “estimated cost of attendance, total amount of aid awarded and the difference that needs to be paid out-of-pocket.”

The first part – cost of attendance – should receive special consideration prior to a student’s acceptance of a scholarship or financial aid. When you decide on both the school and financial aid, make sure that the cost of additional, extraneous items, such as textbooks, transportation expenses, room and board, and supplies correspond to the financial aid you expect to receive at your school of choice. Financial aid will provide a certain amount for these costs. Make sure that your financial aid will be ever to cover your associated expenses and anything extra at your school of choice.

Grants, merit scholarships and other forms of gift aid, or money that does not have to be repaid or earned, offer students easy ways to pay for their education without needing to worry about the cost.

Still, scholarship funds, states and universities often require students to maintain certain academic standards, and still may not provide the aid needed for all four years. State and federal grants, for instance, must be reapplied each year and depend upon a student’s financial need.

For additional information on finding money to pay for college, visit our College Scholarships page.

What do you think? Do you have any questions or thoughts to add? Feel free to leave financial aid comments below.

How to Survive the Budget Cuts

Ryan Collins — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:17:52 +0000

San Francisco, CA (CollegetoCareers.com) – With the continuing cutting trend among government and universities toward college budgets, students are right to feel anxious about their academic futures.

Manifesting this trend, the University of Washington recently raised tuition rates by 10 percent for students in attendance. The University of Arizona proposed a massive 22 percent hike in tuition rates. At the lower end, Utah State University recommended a 2 percent tuition increase for its students – but the universality of the trend suggests that students will soon feel the pinch everywhere.

Topping it off, the Obama administration announced a budget in March that slashed funds for the Pell grant – a move decried by many students who rely heavily on the federal funds. The juxtaposition of increased costs for college attendance and decreased financial aid opportunities presents students with a startling reality: college is suddenly less affordable, and the way to financial stability is even less clear.

So how can you survive the budget cuts, pay for your education, and leave with a degree – without all the debt?

Below you will find a list of common recommendations for the cash-strapped student:

Work all day, study all night – and take advantage of state assistance

There is no shortage of rags-to-riches stories that involve people who worked two, even three part-time jobs and worked their way through college. Follow in their footsteps and enroll in night and online classes to make college expenses much easier on your wallet and financial future. If all else fails and your rent keeps you from enrolling in class, swallow your pride and learn more about the possibilities for state benefits like food stamps and welfare programs.

Go to private sources for cash

When federal and state governments fall short, it’s time to look at the alternatives – namely, private foundations and, yes, lending institutions. Students widely prefer the latter, and visit sites like FastWeb and College Scholarships to apply for the many financial opportunities available. When all else fails, see a banking representative about college loans for students – but only as a last resort. Read the fine print and know your interest rate.

Make the grade

The best way to qualify for financial aid, grants, and scholarships at a time when scarcity prevails and competition increases is to do as well in high school or in a community college class as possible. Coupling financial need with the ability to do well and surpass expectations at a four-year university will earn you high marks with scholarship committees, financial aid counselors, and other gate-keepers.

Ask your family for help

A lot of students find themselves dependent on family members, even those outside the traditional unit. There’s no shame in asking your grandmother, grandfather, even a rich uncle or aunt for assistance sometimes.

What do you think? Are there any other tips you would like to add for cash-strapped college students at a time when fiscal austerity measures continue to increase? Leave your comments below.

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