School can get expensive, and with tuition rates only getting higher, you’ll probably need some help paying for that degree. Thankfully, there are plenty of grants, scholarships and other financial aid programs that can help you fund your dreams.
If tuition is starting to look daunting, don’t panic. Instead, fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and take a look at some of the available grants and scholarships that can help you fund your education. Many of these programs have easy applications you can submit whenever you have time, making them perfect for busy students. Check out the list of options below to jump start your search.
Looking for Free Money for School? Look No Further!
Fix Your FAFSA
If paying for school seems daunting, navigating the world of scholarships and grants can seem even more complex. The first step, though, is easier than you think. Simply fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form.
This form is like a key that unlocks plenty of scholarship and grant opportunities. It shows how much money your family makes and demonstrates, in black and white, how much money you need to fulfill your college tuition needs. While it’s commonly used for federal loans and grants, it can also apply to non-governmental awards and can give you a good idea of how much money you’ll really require for your studies.
This Cash is Up for Grabs
Now you can begin applying for grants and scholarships. One popular option is the Pell Grant, which is awarded to students from low-income families. With this federal grant, you can receive as much as $6,195 per year for school.
If you’re planning to go into the armed forces after graduation, the Air Force, Army and Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) offers scholarships to enrolled students in exchange for active duty service after graduation. Each branch of the armed forces also offers tuition assistance under the GI Bill for active members who are interested in enrolling in college courses.
Several college scholarships are as easy to apply for as signing up for an email list. The No Essay contest awards $2,000 to high school and college students on a monthly basis, and all you have to do is create an account to enter. Through Scholarships 4 Moms, mothers looking to get their degrees can simply sign up and cross their fingers for their $10,000 prize.
With a little extra effort, you can make yourself eligible for even more cash. VIP Voice asks users to take a few surveys, collect points, and use those points to enter to win scholarships of up to $5,000. Citizens Bank offers $2,500 scholarships — that’s $10 for every word you’ll need to write in the short essay application.
While you’re drowning in scholarship applications and waiting to hear the results, add just one more to your list. Debt.com offers students $500 scholarships every two months, and all you have to do to qualify is prove you’ve already applied for other awards.
There’s More Where That Came From
Looking for more? We’ve got you covered. You might be eligible for tons of other scholarships and grants based on where you live, what you want to major in, your hobbies, your heritage and more. There’s even a scholarship available to people who are tall — yes, really. Think about what makes you unique, then do some research to find scholarships that match those characteristics.
Don’t rule yourself out. No matter what your financial situation, high school GPA or educational plans, you can find opportunities to fund your next steps. Now get out there and find them!
~Here’s to Your Success
