With an average year at college now at $20,000, it’s no wonder most school leavers are looking to find a job rather than going to college. Apart from the tuition being so expensive you will also have to support yourself while studying. While student loans offer a solution to some students it is not nearly that easy to get a student loan these days. Often times the loans that are available to you will only cover part of your tuition – which is hardly sufficient.
The problem with student loans is that it leaves you with a huge financial burden as you enter the workplace. Something that is rampant in our current economic climate is that well qualified people with huge loans are finding themselves looking for jobs.
This is why finding a scholarship or a grant can make a huge difference in your life. Most grants are either offered directly by the government or through government agencies. Back when the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, the government committed itself to education as the building block of the nation.
It basically means that no one should be denied an education based on their financial situation. It also means that the government is committed to rebuilding the economy through proper education. Importing skills is not a long term solution and in many ways outsourcing plays a large part in the current economic problem we are facing.
So where can you start looking for a grant or a scholarship? Fortunately you have a lot of options available to you – probably more than you may believe. Here are the 3 best places to start looking.
- Government and local government agencies
Your state will have a full list of agencies and institutions that offer financial aid to students. Contacting them in person is probably your best bet and try and arrange an appointment to sit down and speak to someone. Yes, in a lot of states the service is quite poor but with a little luck and persistence you can get some good direction.
- Private institutions
These are probably the best scholarships you can find out there since private companies are willing to pay top dollar to secure talent. In highly competitive industries, big companies need good staff with good qualifications to give them the competitive edge. Most of them offer scholarship programs to talented individuals. The other upside is that you can secure yourself a job while you are still studying. The downside is that these scholarships are limited and the competition for them are fierce. Many corporate firms now have special scholarships for women which might give you even more choice.
- Military
Military scholarships is not what it used to be. With the USA being involved in numerous wars, the demand for military staff is huge. Getting your qualification through the military does not necessarily mean you will have to serve active duty either. There are thousands of careers available in the military and more than anything, these jobs are super secure. As far as scholarships for women is concerned, the military is desperate for female staff and you can almost be guaranteed a grant. There are also some excellent grant programs available to ex soldiers.
For more information on scholarships for women and how to find and apply for grants, visit my website.
