Scholarship Grants or Financial Aid?

By Owen Jones

Just what is the real cost of a college education and is there a financing scheme available? Well, lets face reality - a college education is really very expensive, causing most parents alarm when their children are considering going to a community college or a state university.

There are many of things which make up the total cost of a college education and the tuition fee is just a part of the whole story of getting into college. Other everyday expenditures include meals, transport, accommodation, spending money and other miscellaneous costs, which, when added up can create a significant part when financing a college education.

These days, many families, even those belonging to the upper class, consider applying for financial aid. College grants and scholarships are a very good method of financial assistance. Grant and scholarship programmes do not ask the students or even their families to repay the monies given.

Scholarships and grants are of two basic kinds: (i) scholarships awarded according to financial need, depending on the financial inability of the student and their families to pay for the college education, and (ii) scholarships based on merit, for example the talent of the student in sports is the main consideration. A students academic ability comes under the merit-based college grant and scholarship system as well.

Often, college grants and scholarships combine the merit and need criteria to make the whole financial aid process easier. Many students and their families are on the look-out for this kind of financial aid. However, college grants and scholarships are quite limited in number in spite of the fact that there is an ever increasing community of aspiring students every year.

Qualifying students can get into federal and a number of state scholarship programs. Some of which are the following:

Federal or National Pell Grants " this is a program, funded nationwide, which is intended to give assistance to any qualified undergraduate student pursuing post-secondary schooling. Grants and scholarships of this type are given to those who have not yet finished a baccalaureate degree.

The worth of the grant can vary year after year and will depend largely on the financial needs of the student, the expenses that will be incurred while going to the chosen university or college, and the availability of funds from the national government. This kind of grant will create an opportunity for students to succeed in securing financial aid from the national government.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) " this is a program for ongoing undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs. However, not all students qualify for this type of grant. It will depend on the eligibility of the student and the availability of finances at the school in question.

Another kind of financial assistance that students and families can get is student loans. However, this kind of financial assistance must be paid back. The financial requirements of the family must be considered thoroughly to avoid paying higher interest rates.

It is also a must to understand all the terms of the lending agencies such as the schedule of repayment and interest rates, before making a commitment.

Work study is a quite different kind of financial assistance which requires students to work to keep themselves during their college stay. Work study is usually done on college campus and is the most usual kind of financial aid in all of the universities and colleges in the USA. Typically, students render service to schools for 10-15 hours per week.

Scholarships, grants and other types of financial aid to acquire a college education is really multi-faceted, confusing at times, and even down-right exasperating. However, the good thing is that a college education is a non-refundable and non-toxic form of investment - it is in aid of the student's future! - 32383

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here