Financial Aid Opportunities
Generally, more than half of college students receive some sort of financial aid to pay for college. A wide variety of programs exist to help you cover the cost of getting your degree or certificate.
Federal Grants
The primary starting point for financial aid is generally filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) which takes factors like your family's financial status into consideration to award student aid. Funds for providing grants through FAFSA are limited, so the sooner you complete and submit your application, the better your chances at receiving aid. Also, FAFSA must be completed each year you are in school.
Pell Grants
Unlike student loans, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. The current maximum amount of aid (2018-19 school year) is $6,095. Pell Grants may be used for any costs associated with attending college, such as tuition, books, a computer, living expenses, etc.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This program is administered directly by the financial aid office of participating colleges. Each school receives a limited amount of funds to distribute to students based on need. You will need to contact your college’s financial aid office to apply.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching high-need subjects like science and math. This grant is contingent upon the student agreeing to teach for a designated amount of time in a school serving low-income students. Students who fail to meet the obligations of their grant may be required to repay any funds they received.
Military Service Members and Veterans
The military offers many educational benefits for service members and their families. Service members can take advantage of educational benefits during or after service, from financial and college funds to programs that convert military training into college credit, including:
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GI Bill
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Helping Heroes Grants for Veterans
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Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grants
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Branch-specific (ROTC) scholarships
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Loan Repayment Programs
For more detailed information