Free School Grants
Free school grants are a funding alternative (for education). Like scholarships free school grants don’t have to be paid back and are a godsend for students who can not afford to pay for college. The organization providing free school grants keeps a close check on the student’s progress to ensure that the/she is meeting all obligations. Free school grants are usually given to fund research or encourage study in a particular field. It is interesting to note that very few free school grants are available for undergraduate students. All you have to do to for applying for free school grants is to fill out the application. Because of the large number of free school grants, students can easily qualify for more than one grant if they take time out to fill the applications.
Sources of Free School Grants
Students receive free school grants from a myriad of sources including but not limited to:
- Educational institutions (such as schools, colleges and universities)
- Professional associations (such as International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, National Education Association, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities etc)
- Private organizations (such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Flinn Foundation, Metlife Foundation etc)
- Federal and state governments
Useful Links for Free School Grants
Following are some useful links that will assist you in identifying some of the most well known for free school grants:
- Pell grant, a grant from federal government, has funded college education for thousands if not millions of disadvantaged students. For applying for Pell grant please visit; http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm
- Freshmen and sophomores with (consistently) excellent academics and aptitude for leadership and are eligible for Pell grants can apply for the Academic Competitive Grant (AC). For more information visit; http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/AcademicGrants.jsp?tab=funding
- Undergraduate juniors and seniors enrolled in computer sciences, mathematics and engineering programs receiving Pell grants are eligible to apply for National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant). Foe eligibility requirements and applying for SMART grant, please visit http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/SmartGrants.jsp?tab=funding
- A large number of grants specifically targeting women are offered by a number of colleges and universities, private organizations, professional associations and foundations. If you are a female looking for a free school grant, please visit; http://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/women.htm
- It is interesting to note that there is a diverse range of subject specific grants available to (both undergraduate and postgraduate) students. These grants are awarded to students in almost all fields of study. For specific subject specific grants, please visit; http://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/101-grants.htm