Federal Government Grant Money for Education

Jan 17, 2010 in General

Federal Government Grant Money for Education

Federal Goverment Grant Money

Getting a good education is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself. It’s unfortunate that many people who are capable and willing to get a higher education end up not doing so because they feel like they can’t afford it. There are ways that you can fund a college education with help from Federal Government grant money.

The first thing that every student should do is complete a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you fail to submit this form, you will eliminate the possibility of almost any kind of financial aid weather it is a Pell Grant or some type of student loan like Stafford, Perkins or a PLUS loan. Be careful where you get the application from, as many web sites will try to sell it to you. There is a reason why it is called a free application and that is because you can get it without cost from government websites or the financial aid office of your college or high school.

Submitting this form will allow you to apply for a Pell Grant. Using the information that you have submitted on the form, a calculation will be made to determine if you show sufficient financial need for a grant. It includes calculations on how much the student’s family will be able to contribute. There are certain criteria like being an undergraduate student and having a sufficient course load.

There are other types of Federal Government grant money. If you have a solid academic record, then you can also apply for an Academic Competitiveness grant. This is awarded to sophomores and freshmen that have also qualified and are currently receiving a Pell Grant. It’s a similar type of award for juniors and seniors is available, called the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant. Similar to the Academic Competitiveness Grant, students must be receiving the Pell Grant.

Beyond the Federal government grant money that is available, there are also state grants and ones for certain minorities. You can apply for student loans as well. Despite the fact that you will have to eventually repay the loans, they are a worthwhile investment in your future.