For many of us, in order to improve our lives it will be necessary to receive higher education. Now is the best time to enroll in some kind of a college or university. However, enrolling and receiving higher education costs money. Some of you are thinking this will be impossible, how will I be able to pay for college When I'm struggling financially already? The solution is easy. The US Government provides many education grants for students who want to go to college. If you want to go to school, regardless of your economic situation, you can. College grants are the way to do it.
College grants are awards given to students by both federal and state governments. Also, they are one of the options available in the realm of financial aid. Very often these awards do not have to be repaid. They should be one of the first strategies you attempt to finance your education. Education grants are awarded based on financial need, eligibility and funds availability. Education Grants can pay for tuition and other college related expenses. These government education grants exist for both undergraduate and graduate students.
In 2009-2010 school year our government awarded $26,265,147,289 in total federal college grants. The average award across grants per student per year was $2,278 with the maximum award being $5,350. That is a lot of money per student. It is definitely well worth it to apply for school grants.
One website where you can do this is FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)
Federal Student Aid Information
Phone: 1-800-433-3243
TDD: 1-800-730-8913
College Grants
Pell Grants
Pell Grants are the heart of education grant programs. A Federal Pell Grant is also the foundation for financial aid. This great grant was formerly called: Basic Educational Opportunity Grants (BEOGs). It is your first funding when it comes to college financial help. Other types of financial aid and other grants supplement this grant. As with most of the grants this award does not have to be repaid. This grant program carries the most money and is the first grant you will be considered for when you submit your FAFSA application.
In 2009-2010 the average award for one academic year for the Pell Grant was $3,611. President Obama has proposed to increase the grant budget. The new proposal would raise the maximum Pell Grant award by $200, to $5,550 for the 2010-11 academic year. This would make additional 260,000 students eligible for this program.
The award amount for this grant depends on: students expected family contribution, cost of attendance, students enrollment status, whether the student attends for a full year or less.
Where to Apply
Federal Student Aid Information
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html
TEACH Grants
The TEACH Grant, also known as The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, is a brand new grant for those who want to become teachers. This program was created through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The purpose of this program was to find more teachers. Students must agree to teach after they graduate.
In this category the average award is $2,941 per academic year and the TEACH Grant provides funding up to $4,000 per year to applicants who want to teach in a public or private elementary, or secondary school with one important condition: the school has to serve students from low income families.
Students who graduate but do not complete the required teaching service will have to pay off the grant as it will turn into a unsubsidized loan, where interest will have to be paid from the date the TEACH Grant award was disbursed. College students who want to receive this grant need to agree to serve as full time teachers. The teaching will need to be for 4 academic years and it has to be performed within the 8 calendar years of the graduation date. Applicants do not have to show financial need in order to be eligible for this program.
Where to Apply
https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action