With the ever-rising cost of college education in the US, online college grants and scholarships can help you complete that college education, and without leaving a hole in your pocket.
Education is one of the most important investments you can make in your life. It opens doors for you and allows you to achieve your dreams.
However, it can also be expensive, which is why pursuing grants and scholarships is important. In this article, we will discuss how to get online college grants and scholarships in the United States.
What are online college grants and scholarships?
Online college grants and scholarships are awards that can be used to help pay for college. Unlike student loans, which must be repaid, online college grants and scholarships are free money that does not need to be repaid.
Grants for online college are awarded based on financial need, while scholarships are awarded based on academic merit or other criteria. There are a variety of online grants and scholarships available, and students can apply for them using a single application.
Are Online College Grants And Scholarships Relevant?
Cost may be a worry for prospective students contemplating online college programs. Financial help for online degree programs is limited in comparison to aid for in-person programs, according to an old but persisting myth. However, institutions structure the financial assistance process for distant students in the same way that they do for in-person students.
According to the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2021 study, the percentage of students enrolled in any distance learning course increased dramatically from fall 2012 to fall 2019, and 15% of all undergraduates were enrolled entirely in online classes in 2019.
College students are taking lectures online more than ever before, thanks to the coronavirus outbreak, which required schools to temporarily give teaching remotely.
Students in online programs, like their peers in traditional, campus-based programs, can apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, which can be in the form of merit- or need-based scholarships.
Can Online College Grants And Scholarships Be used For Any Program?
Any program mau utilize online college grants and scholarships as long as it is accredited by the US Department of Education. To qualify for federal financial aid, students must only consider online programs that have been accredited by the United States Department of Education.
You can check an institution’s website to see if their program and school are eligible for federal funding, or you can use the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to look for your college.
How To Find Online College Grants And Scholarships
The best way to find online college grants and scholarships is to do a search online. A variety of websites offer search engines that allow you to specify your criteria and find scholarships that match your needs The best website for finding scholarships is undoubtedly Scholarships.com. This website has a database of over 3 million scholarships and grants worth over $19 billion.
It’s also worth checking the website of the college you’re interested in attending, as they may have their own scholarships that are only open to their students. The government also offers a range of grants and scholarships for students pursuing higher education, so be sure to check the official website for the Department of Education.
Finally, don’t forget to check with your employer or community organizations, as they may also offer grants and scholarships for continuing education.
Some Online College Grants And Scholarships
1. Western Governors University Resiliency Grant
Many people in the United States are experiencing problems this year, according to the WGU. Most Americans today have been influenced by a job loss, a change in schooling, health worries, financial struggles, and general uncertainty. WGU is eager to assist. They understand that a degree can make a significant impact in a person’s future.
They also want to assist you in continuing to pursue your aspirations and achieving your educational objectives. As a result, WGU is glad to provide the WGU Resiliency Grant to help students deal with unexpected financial difficulties. This award provides up to $4,000 to new students to cover tuition, fees, and instructional materials, allowing them to continue their studies.
2. Arizona State University’s Luigi Lori Memorial Scholarship
The Luigi Iori Memorial Scholarship was founded to remember the memory of a brilliant man who valued the opportunity to earn a college diploma and dedicated his professional life to military duty before going on to a successful career with the Federal Aviation Administration. Luigi Iori’s journey from working as a farmhand on his family’s farm to becoming a renowned designer of airplanes and airports is extremely inspiring.
Mr. Iori established aviation and design standards that have influenced modern aviation methods, procedures, and designs.
Students with financial need who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and a career in civil engineering will be supported by this grant. The Arizona State University Foundation selects and administers this prize.
READ ALSO: 10 Powerful K-12 School Grants for Your School or District
3. The James H. Davis Memorial Scholarship fund
The James H. Davis Memorial Scholarship fund was established to encourage students to pursue professions in Florida’s horticulture sector and related fields by offering financial aid for undergraduate and other advanced education programs in the state. The goal is to create employment opportunities for suitable students who need financial assistance to gain knowledge and experience, earn post-secondary degrees, and become active participants and leaders in the horticulture sector.
Incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who plan to attend a community college, college, university, or other program in Florida are eligible to apply. The student must enroll full-time in a horticulture or related degree with the intention of graduating in that career. The applicant must have a 2.0 (C) or above grade point average. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial necessity. Recipients of awards are entitled to apply for scholarships on a yearly basis.
4. AL Diablo Valley Community College Scholarship
The Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s scholarship charitable endeavor assists students with college expenditures based on their financial need and/or significant volunteer contributions to their community.
To be eligible, applicants:
- Must be residents of California’s Contra Costa County.
- Must be a community college graduate moving to a four-year institution or university as a junior.
- Must show financial need-Must participate in community activities
- Must have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
5. The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program
The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program is offered to United States citizens or permanent residents who are high school seniors, high school graduates, or current college students. They must be accepted or enrolled full-time in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) program at a recognized, non-profit public or private four-year college or university in the United States.
A Gladys Carol Scholarship is a merit-based award of up to $5,000. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale (or its unweighted equivalent) is necessary, as well as a minimum SAT score of 1300 OR an ACT score of 28.
The Cal Grant is a state-specific financial aid program that does not require repayment. Cal Grant applicants must apply by the deadline using the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act Application and complete all of the program’s eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements. Students attending University of California, California State Universities, or California Community Colleges, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges and technical institutions in California, are eligible for grants.
Cal Grants are divided into three categories: A, B, and C, but you don’t have to choose which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be determined by your responses to the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, your confirmed Cal Grant GPA, the types of California universities you specify on your application, and whether you are a resident of California.
7. The Gordon Hay Scholarship Fund
The Gordon Hay Scholarship Fund was founded in honor of Gordon Hay, an organizational development specialist who was enthusiastic about transformative change via true engagement of people’s hearts and minds in corporate strategy. He felt that outstanding accomplishments were powered by passion and fire from inside.
Each year, the Gordon Hay Scholarship Committee will choose one outstanding Charlotte Region student to receive a $5,000 one-time prize.
8. The Army Women’s Foundation (AWF)
The Army Women’s Foundation (AWF) understands the value of education and the role it plays in achieving personal, professional, and financial goals. The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program helps past and present female troops, as well as their lineal descendants, achieve their educational aspirations. Certificate Programs, Community College Courses, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees are all covered under the AWF Legacy Scholarship Program. Scholarships are only given to students who have completed coursework at authorized universities. Merit, academic potential, a personal statement, community work, letters of recommendation, and financial need are all factors considered when awarding scholarships.
Google is dedicated to assisting the next generation of innovators by sponsoring scholarships and networking getaways for computer science students with disabilities.
The 2022 Google Lime Scholarship recipients will each get a scholarship for the academic year 2022-2023. Scholars will also be invited to a Google Lime Scholars event in Summer 2022 and will be considered for summer internship opportunities with Google. Scholarships of $10,000 for students studying in the United States and $5,000 for those studying in Canada will be offered based on the strength of candidates’ academic backgrounds and a demonstrated interest for computer science (based on tuition costs).
10. Raytheon Patriot Scholarship
Student Veterans of America and Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD) have teamed up to award two $10,000 scholarships to student veterans who have shown a commitment to and love for their field of study, as well as demonstrated leadership and engagement in their community. The Patriot Scholarship, named after RMD’s Patriot Air and Missile Defense System, is available only to U.S. Army veterans.
Eligibility Criteria
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, determines whether you are eligible for federal financial aid. Some institutions and states also utilize FAFSA data to provide their own financial aid.
Students applying for online college grants and scholarships must be careful to meet other federal financial assistance standards, such as being a citizen or an eligible non-citizen and making sufficient academic progress.
Most financial help is only available to students who are pursuing a degree or certificate and meet the institution’s minimal enrollment criteria.
Moreover, while many potential online students wish to apply for online college grants and scholarships while also working while pursuing their degree, minimum enrollment requirements may prevent them from receiving some types of financial help.
Conclusion
Now that you know ten simple online college grants and scholarships that you can apply to today, we hope you can take the bold step and start out today, so that you can get your deserved financial intervention.
Good luck!
