Nowadays, more and more women don’t have the opportunity to study at the college because of the high prices for education. Besides expensive tuition, students have to pay for transportation, books and a dormitory. There are so many options available, even low-income students are able to cover the bills and all possible additional costs.
Parent loans, institutional financial assistance, different types of scholarships and grants, summer jobs all can play a pivotal role in making college affordable.
How to apply for aid and scholarships? Which types of aid are allowed? This guide provides women with information about various tuition assistance programs accessible to them today.
Financial aid programs
Scholarships are the gift, which shouldn’t be repaid. They can be of varying amounts, that depend on academic achievements and combination of the special abilities. The scholarship might cover the entire tuition payments or it might be a little award of a few hundred dollars. Thanks to such kind of financial support, women are encouraged to earn a degree and to develop in such fields as Science, Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Science.
Grants don’t need to be paid back to the organization. Students can receive grants from the governmental institutions, universities or colleges. The amount may be different for every person, it based on the factors such as field of study, financial need, knowledge and ethnic background. It is also required from the students to maintain a specific GPA in order to continue to get aid.
Loans unlike grants and scholarships, should be repaid usually with interest, to the borrowing organization whether it is the state or federal government, university of college or the financial institution. It is money that is received to students based on the need. Mostly, loans might vary in the amount because of interest rates, requirements and repayment plans. It possible for individuals who are not eligible for government loans to get loans through private institutions.
Work Study Programs are offered for students who need financial support and want to develop career skills and experience. There are a large number of jobs available from lab monitors, dining hall servers, office help, library staff or admissions tour guides
Sources of Financial aid
The state and federal governments, universities and colleges and private organizations are the main sources of financial assistance for students.
Federal
Every year, the U.S. Department of Education billions of dollars annually to student loans, scholarships, grants and work-study possibilities. In order to apply for programs provided by federal government, students need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Students Aid. Financial support usually based on student income and his/her family’s ability to pay and also based on such criteria as summer earnings, savings and investments.
State
State aid is another way for students to cover tuition payments. The funding criteria are state-specific and usually related to academic level, private abilities and career choices.
Institutional
This aid is usually awarded in the form of scholarships, grants and school-administered loan programs. It generally depends on talent and specific characteristic.
Private organizations
There are cultural, corporate, civic and religious organizations, which provide students with all possible programs that help families with college expenses.