How to Apply For College Grants
No matter your age or level of schooling, whether you are an undergrad or a graduate student, you need to know the correct way to apply for college grants.
Getting money for college is more important than it has ever been.
It is also much more difficult than it has ever been.
Remember, federal aid and federal loans are two entirely different things.
The latter is a tedious hassle.
However, the former runs across a wide spectrum, one which includes grants.
That is what this article will focus on, along with explaining how to go about applying for them.
Because the federal loan program is becoming somewhat undesirable, a large number of students are eschewing loans altogether.
Paying them back after school can be a killer.
In lieu of loans, students of every age are trying their luck with grants instead.
Because they are offered by both federal and state governments, they are generally more available.
Another bonus is that they do not have to be repaid.
The Pell Grant is the most well known grant, as well as the largest.
The key thing to remember about grants, the Pell and others, is that they revolve around financial need rather than academic aptitude.
Of course, individual universities and colleges may require a recipient to meet a certain standard concerning their academics.
On the whole, however, the Pell and other grants like it do not depend on your academic standing.
You have to start out by completing the very well known, somewhat tedious Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
It is also known as the FAFSA form.
It can be obtained several ways.
There is a copy of it on the internet, although you will need a personal identification number, or PIN; both the form and the PIN are available through the web site for the Federal Aid department.
You can also ask for hard copies from either the department or the financial aid office of your college(s) of choice.
As you fill out the form, a few documents pertaining to your financial status are necessary.
You will need your last tax return and the latest W-2 you have.
If you are a dependent student, these documents will come from your parents.
This information is needed due to the fact that you must be eligible financially to receive the Pell and others like it.
Once you finish the FAFSA, make sure that all of the information therein is accurate.
Depending on how you submit the form, through the internet or the mail, you will receive your SAR, aka your Student Aid Report, in a few days or a few weeks.
The SAR includes a summary of your FAFSA information, what aid you are eligible for, the amount, any financial expectations for yourself or your family, and things of that nature.
If all of the data is right, you are ready to begin calling the colleges and universities to which you are applying, to see if they have your information.
As you can see, learning to apply for college grants is not that hard.
It does take a lot of time and patience, but it is worth it.
In addition to FAFSA, there are web sites out there specializing in listing other scholarships and grants.
They are helpful if you need further financial assistance.
Getting money for college is more important than it has ever been.
It is also much more difficult than it has ever been.
Remember, federal aid and federal loans are two entirely different things.
The latter is a tedious hassle.
However, the former runs across a wide spectrum, one which includes grants.
That is what this article will focus on, along with explaining how to go about applying for them.
Because the federal loan program is becoming somewhat undesirable, a large number of students are eschewing loans altogether.
Paying them back after school can be a killer.
In lieu of loans, students of every age are trying their luck with grants instead.
Because they are offered by both federal and state governments, they are generally more available.
Another bonus is that they do not have to be repaid.
The Pell Grant is the most well known grant, as well as the largest.
The key thing to remember about grants, the Pell and others, is that they revolve around financial need rather than academic aptitude.
Of course, individual universities and colleges may require a recipient to meet a certain standard concerning their academics.
On the whole, however, the Pell and other grants like it do not depend on your academic standing.
You have to start out by completing the very well known, somewhat tedious Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
It is also known as the FAFSA form.
It can be obtained several ways.
There is a copy of it on the internet, although you will need a personal identification number, or PIN; both the form and the PIN are available through the web site for the Federal Aid department.
You can also ask for hard copies from either the department or the financial aid office of your college(s) of choice.
As you fill out the form, a few documents pertaining to your financial status are necessary.
You will need your last tax return and the latest W-2 you have.
If you are a dependent student, these documents will come from your parents.
This information is needed due to the fact that you must be eligible financially to receive the Pell and others like it.
Once you finish the FAFSA, make sure that all of the information therein is accurate.
Depending on how you submit the form, through the internet or the mail, you will receive your SAR, aka your Student Aid Report, in a few days or a few weeks.
The SAR includes a summary of your FAFSA information, what aid you are eligible for, the amount, any financial expectations for yourself or your family, and things of that nature.
If all of the data is right, you are ready to begin calling the colleges and universities to which you are applying, to see if they have your information.
As you can see, learning to apply for college grants is not that hard.
It does take a lot of time and patience, but it is worth it.
In addition to FAFSA, there are web sites out there specializing in listing other scholarships and grants.
They are helpful if you need further financial assistance.
