With the free money given away for college education by federal and state governments as well as private companies and organizations, almost all students have a chance of funding their college education.
The best part of this money is that you don’t have to return it! The free financial aid comes in different forms such as scholarships, fellowships and government grants.
The first thing you need to do is to get FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You can get a FAFSA from the institution you wish to attend or by visiting http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and following the instructions.
Make sure that you complete this document and submit it before the deadline. If you are able to get a government funded award, you will have to submit FAFSA every year in order to remain eligible for the award. This application is used to apply for numerous financial aid programs sponsored by the federal government. After the relevant authorities process your application, they will mail you a document in which the amount that you are eligible for will be mentioned.
There is no rule that says you can apply for only one financial aid program. Applying for multiple programs will mean that if the money provided by one fellowship or grant does not cover your school expenses, you can choose to fund your education with another financial aid program that you may have also won. You can search the web for grant and scholarship programs that also may be suitable for you. This can take some time, but careful research can produce great results.
Scholarship, Fellowship and a Grant—What’s the difference?
Scholarships & Fellowships: There is not a lot of difference between Scholarships and fellowships. The latter is usually applied to post graduate studies, while the former is generally used for undergraduate awards. Students who are returning back to college after a break can also apply for scholarships.
Government Grants: This is the money that is set aside by the government to help people in funding school. There are so many grants available for students that they can use in conjunction with a scholarship to move through college.
As mentioned above, financial assistance in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and grants are available for both graduate and undergraduate students looking to attend an institution of higher learning. All you need to do is show diligence, do some research and complete the required paperwork; and you can get the money you’re looking for.