Getting educated on scholarships

Scholarships are not just for your kids. Many adults are taking classes, getting advanced degrees, learning new trades and expanding their knowledge. It is never too late to learn new skills or update the ones you have.

Education is getting more and more expensive, which is also forcing many to look for alternative ways to fund their avenues of higher learning. Most good schools have a Financial Aid Department. If you want to attend classes at a particular school, ask what type of financial assistance is available. Sit down with one of the financial counselors and discuss how you can attend their school and what kind of financial options they provide.

The well known scholarships are for athletic achievement or academic honors. The lesser known scholarships are for religious beliefs (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc.), income level of the household, or someone with the same last name made arrangements to have a scholarship for someone else with that same last name. There are also scholarships that are set aside for students attaining a specific degree selection, from a certain nationality, and even residing within a certain county. Banks, Credit Unions, local businesses, charity organizations, community groups like the Elks, Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Boy/Girl Scouts, etc., offer scholarship programs for someone within their local community or field of membership. There are a TON of scholarships out there. Be persistent and check every angle.

One great resource for financial insight into a specific college or university is through their website. I looked at ten college/university websites. Each one had a prospective student section and resources for how to receive/apply for financial aid. On one of the college’s websites it states that 55% of their students receive financial assistance. There is a need and students are finding the money to help them fund their education.

Scholarships, grants and financial aid are funds set aside to help someone pay for their education. Be persistent, set an appointment with the school(s) you want to attend, look at their website, ask lots of questions and do your research. A few dollars saved on college expenses, is money in your pocket!