Financial help for Returning to School?

Question

I am looking to go back to school but need to find out how to locate grants and all the "free" help I can to afford it. Anyone know of some web sites or places I can check out?

Answer 1

The free grants as refered to in the television commercials are need based meaning it is based on a percentage of the family income and savings. In addition, the government grant is only good for the first undergraduate degre but evaporates when someone goes for graduate school. The most a federal government grant will give is $4310 for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year if a person has an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) of 0. I will include some free resources in locating free money for college.

First, the college's financial aid office and website has a list of private scholarships offered from outside organizations and companies. Sometimes a college major's website will list scholarships, too.

Second, the public library has a book listing scholarships with some not even listed on the web.

Third, fill out the FAFSA form. It will bring need based government grants and college scholarships. It is to be filled out each year January 1 for the upcoming fall semester or quarter. It also can bring a work study grant which can bring money and valuable work experience.

Finally, I recommend joining several free membership scholarship search websites, but the best I have located is Scholarship Experts since they have a very thorough and lengthy survey to complete compared to Fastweb. There are scholarships for a variety of things including ethnicity, clubs, hobbies, and even wearing duct tape to the high school prom. Most are updated on a regular basis. Most offer a customized search based on information entered onto a form on the website.

Good luck!