Grants V.S. Scholarships
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, these are both very different things. Scholarships, are merit based awards meaning they are awarded to students who prove themselves in some category. In most cases scholarships have rules and qualifications such as maintaining a certain GPA. A grant is a form of financial aid which is need based, awarded based on the financial need of you and your family. As you already read in the previous section, the first step to attaining financial aid is filling out a FAFSA. After filling out the FAFSA you’ll want to fill out any extra financial aid forms from the colleges you are interested in or already applying to. Finally, you’ll want to search and apply for other scholarships outside of your chosen college or university. Speaking to a guidance counselor and researching online for extra scholarships will open up a world of possibilities. Many scholarships and grants work on a first come, first serve basis. The faster you put your information in, the more likely you will be to get money.
You would be surprised by how many crazy scholarships are available to you, check out this link of 60 of the Weirdest College Scholarships .
You would be surprised by how many crazy scholarships are available to you, check out this link of 60 of the Weirdest College Scholarships .
Scholarships
Where to Find Them...
- College: These are the most common types of scholarships which can be found. You can find any of these in their catalogue or on their websites. In some cases a college may automatically place your name in for a scholarship if you have applied for financial aid. These scholarships may be awarded on a university wide basis or varying from college to college.
- Local/State Scholarships: Information about local scholarships can be found at public libraries or through local organizations such as religious institutions, your employer, your parent’s employers, etc. It may seem like a stretch, but it never hurts to look. State scholarships are usually offered to in-state residents and they are normally rewarded to residents who go to college in state.
- National Scholarships: Just as the name suggests, these are scholarships are offered across the entire nation. Some major organizations which offer National Scholarships are: National Merit Scholarship Cooperation, Gates Millennium Scholars, Intel Science Talent Search, and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. The national College Board also sponsors scholarship competitions with the Siemens Foundation which may be something to look into.
Avoiding Scams
DON'T PAY FOR IT! Some commercial financial aid organizations may charge up to $1,000 for services and information to help with scholarships. If you do decide to pay for services and you do not receive the services promised, then it was a scam. The best advice I can give in this matter is don’t pay for anything, there are plenty of resources online which can be used to find scholarships for free. Your school may also have available resources through guidance counselors.
DON'T PAY FOR IT! Some commercial financial aid organizations may charge up to $1,000 for services and information to help with scholarships. If you do decide to pay for services and you do not receive the services promised, then it was a scam. The best advice I can give in this matter is don’t pay for anything, there are plenty of resources online which can be used to find scholarships for free. Your school may also have available resources through guidance counselors.
Avoiding Mistakes
We all make mistakes and they’re never fun, but their essential to learn from. Should you attain a scholarship, congrats!! Now you need to maintain this scholarship...
- Grades: Most federal need-based and merit-based scholarships have a GPA bar which must be maintained in order to continue receiving funds. For most federal need-based scholarships, this means maintain a GPA of 2.0 with a minimum of a 12-credit load. Merit-Based scholarships usually have a higher bar which needs to be met in order to maintain it. The HOPE scholarship program in Georgia and Tennessee for example require a GPA of 3.0. Most college courses are much more challenging than High School courses so it is important to maintain good grades to keep the money you are earning. If you are struggling with grades there are many tutoring services available for free on campus.
- Disciplinary Issues: Scholarships and Grants such as Pell Grants are very serious about discipline. Serious rule breaking resulting in expulsion, incarceration, or drug related charges can result in the loss of a scholarship. Academic dishonesty can also result in losing scholarships, and paying money to the college or university. Plagiarism can result in expulsion, or at the very least suspension for a semester or two. The college could potentially require you to pay for those two missed semesters. Disciplinary issues are easy to avoid and they lead to much un-needed stress in your life.
Still Unsure?
If you're still unsure about finding funds for college, check out these other options as well as student accounts of how they got through.
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