Paying for a college education can be a formidable task. However, a lot of students neglect to apply for scholarships and grants because they believe that they have to have some superhuman talent or live below the poverty line to qualify. Don’t fall into this trap! There are lots of scholarships and grants out there for regular students like you!

Scholarships

It’s important to understand that scholarships don’t necessarily have to be based on financial need. Some scholarships are awarded to students who are majoring in a particular subject, while others award money based on athletics, grades, religion, race, or extracurricular activities.
Scholarships and grants are different from loans because you don’t have to pay them back! Scholarships can be sponsored by specific colleges who are looking to increase the diversity of their student body or they can be funded by private organizations. To get a scholarship, you first have to do a little leg-work. Applying for scholarships can be just as time-consuming as applying to colleges, but it will be well worth it in the long-run!

Grants

Grants are different from scholarships because they are primarily need-based, instead of scholarships which are given on the basis of merit. Like a scholarship, a grant doesn’t have to be repaid! There many different types of grants out there, which are designed to help every student afford an education. Here are some of the most popular types:

• Federal grants – are sponsored by the government. The Pell Grant is one of the best-known types of federal grants. The money generally goes towards undergraduate students who qualify for financial need. You can find out if you qualify for a Pell Grant by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• State grants – are offered by your local government. Almost every state offers some type of grant to their qualified local students. State-sponsored grants give aid to many types of people, including low-income and minority students. Students who pursue a specific field of study, like nursing or teaching, may also qualify for state grants.

• Minority grants – give aid to minority students who are planning on attending college. This category also includes grants for women and for students who are the first in their family to attend college.

• Military grants – offer up to full tuition for students who are members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, ROTC, and others. Active corps members can also extend their educational benefits to their spouses and families!

The more time you put in to your scholarship and grant research, the more choices you’ll have. There definitely is a lot of money out there, but you have to ask for it! Filter through a list of choices that match your talents and background. Are you an all-star basketball player? Do you receive stellar grades? Are you an ethnic minority? After you find a list of matches, have some essays and applications ready. The more scholarships and grants you apply for, the more money you’ll get!