College help programs

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser; otherwise some parts of this site might not work properly. You can find grants and scholarships , student loans, and work-study programs through Federal Student Aid FSA to help pay for college or career school. You can also learn about other financial aid programs and ways to pay for school. Eligibility requirements for federal student aid include:. Being a U.

Federal education grants help thousands of students pay for college every year. Without these grants, many students would not be able to realize their higher educational goals. The following Federal grant programs are currently being offered to U. Every state in the union has a Department of Higher Education that monitors, and regulates, the colleges and universities within that state.

Most states offer their resident students some degree of college financial aid, either through their Department of Higher Education or through a dedicated Student Assistance Commission. State-funded college grants typically address financial needs of low-income students, as well as encouraging and supporting women and minority students in their college careers.

States also often offer career-specific grants-for-service to those students pursuing degrees and careers in high demand fields such as teaching and nursing. Grant programs will vary widely from state to state, and students are encouraged to refer to our section on State Supported Grants and Scholarships for more information on state-funded financial aid programs, and for links to information on financial aid programs specific to their state.

Once students have exhausted the available Federal and state supported grants, they may wish to look to other sources for financial assistance. Many grants for college-bound students can be found in the private sector.

Corporations and professional associations often offer grants for deserving students who are pursuing degrees in fields closely allied to that business or organization. College grants can also be found through religious organizations, as well as clubs and associations dedicated to community service. These grant programs may have very specific eligibility requirements, but they do offer substantial financial assistance to those students who meet the necessary criteria.

Colleges and universities can also be prime sources for grants. Often, colleges will be given private endowments from individuals and businesses for the purpose of providing financial aid to deserving students. Again, privately endowed grants and scholarships tend to have highly specific eligibility requirements, and may target certain portions of the population such as women or minorities. They may also be dedicated to students pursuing degrees in specific fields or disciplines.

Students searching for non-government funded college grants should begin by combining their status as a student undergraduate or graduate , their field of interest and their personal background minority status, gender, etc. Many grant programs can be found with a focused search of the internet, or through the financial aid offices of colleges and universities. This can be time consuming, but the rewards can be substantial.

Some college grant programs are open to all students regardless of background or field of study. These are considered General Grants, and typically are decided according to financial need and academic performance. A great number of college grants, however, are designed to target specific portions of the population or students pursuing particular degrees or career paths. These can be broken down into the following categories. As with all college grants, funding may be provided by a variety of sources, including state governments, professional associations, corporations, colleges and universities.

The width and breadth of the student population in the United States continues to grow and change as more and more students head to college to improve their education and professional opportunities. The American collegiate population is made up of a diverse array of students of all types and backgrounds. Grants for college-bound students are often designed to benefit specific types of students, and to address their particular financial needs.

The most common student-specific grant programs fall into the following categories. Women and minorities make up a large section of the national student body, and there are a large number of grant programs that target both groups. We will discuss grants dedicated to their needs in a later section. The traditional model of a college-bound student is beginning to change.

While the majority of college students are still newly minted high school graduates, more and more adult learners are headed to colleges and universities across the country. Ideally, this process results in a manageable schedule that balances demanding coursework in weak skill areas with courses that utilize your strengths.

Our counselor is available to help you cope with a variety of challenges associated with transitioning to college including, but not limited, homesickness, communal living, and career planning. All students who enroll in CAP are required to meet with the counselor at least three times during their first semester.

Continuing CAP students are encouraged to meet with the counselor on a regular basis until they are able to manage these challenges on their own. As a CAP student, you will be provided with reasonable accommodations under the law for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations are determined based on the documentation you submit with your CAP application. If you are in the process of receiving new documentation, please reference a detailed overview on accommodations.

To help level the playing field, here are several tips and resources for single parents who need help to stay in college and earn their degree. A report by the U. One of the chief contributing factors to these high dropout rates is the lack of affordable child care available to single parents in college. To combat this problem, the U. The program is designed to provide colleges with funding for on-campus child care services to help low-income students. Students who receive financial aid in the form of a Pell Grant are eligible to participate in this program.

Their federal student aid can also be used to help them pay for child care. Financial aid is available to students enrolled in either a traditional or online degree program. The FAFSA must be completed each fiscal year that you request financial aid from your institution of higher learning. One form of federal student aid that is available to single parents and low-income students is the Federal Pell Grant.

Grants, unlike student loans, do not have to be repaid.