Ways to Get Free Grants for Going Back to School
The recent economic downturn has left many adult workers without jobs as companies had to trim costs wherever possible. Some of those workers have decided to go back to school to learn new skills. Other adults may have made the decision to go back to school in an effort to better their own marketability. Either way, paying for college is expensive. Luckily, there are opportunities available for adults returning to school to secure grants to help fund the expense.
While a grant likely will not pay for the entire tuition, it is a better financial tool than a loan because the grant doesn’t need to be repaid. Knowing where to find them is the key.
*Government grants – Almost all grants through the government are awarded based on need. Federal grants are available for those who can show financial need, who earn a teaching degree and agree to certain conditions and those studying science. Eligibility for a government grant is determined through an application process, which can be found at www.FAFSA.gov.
*Private grants – Many companies offer grants for their workers to go back to school to learn new skills that can help the business. With the push toward environmentally-friendly practices, some businesses have offered adult student grants for their employees to learn to implement these methods at work. Eligibility can be based on an applicant’s work history, expertise and need.
*Grants for women – There are a variety of grants available to women who are not right out of high school but attending college for the first time or who have decided to return to school after several years away. Grants to help these women can come from federal, state and local governments. Many non-profit organizations are also offering grants to women to go to school in an effort to get more females into often male-dominated professions.
*Grants for minorities – Those in a particular ethnic group or with a disability can be eligible for grants from government agencies or private organizations. The government grants will still be based on need, while private organizations can set up their own criteria. An application will need to be filled out for a government grant. A private grant may require an essay or particular academic standards.
Whether forced to return to school because of downsizing at their company or because they want to improve themselves, many adults are either returning to college or attending for the first time. Either way, many adult students are no different than traditional college students in that they need help paying the tuition of a university. Realizing there is a need, federal and state governments, as well as private organizations, are offering aid through grants. Finding them can take a little research but it is time well spent since these prizes do not have to be repaid.
