Pursuing a college education is an expensive proposition for parents and students alike. Paying for it likely will involve several different strategies, but chief among them should be to acquire as many grants as possible. Grants are better than loans because the money usually does not have to be paid back. A grant cannot be received unless it is applied for and there are more programs out there offering this form of financial aid than most people may realize.
Getting grants
While most grants for high school studentsare awarded based on financial need, there are other criteria that are considered. To have the best chance of being awarded a grant, parents and students need to plan early in the student’s career.
Course work – A student’s coursework during high school can put them in good position to be eligible for financial aid and to meet pre-requisites for college. Knowing what they want to study at the university level can help choose the right classes for preparation in high school.
Research – Have the student check with the high school guidance officers about potential grants that may apply to their situation. Information is also widely available through Internet searches.
Grant examples
There are multiple sources of grant funding for college, from federal and state government programs to local community organizations. Eligibility for most grants will require filling out an application. Some examples of grant options include:
Federal grants – The most well-known of the federal grants is the Pell Grant, which is based on financial need. There are other grant programs that can be added on to a Pell award as long as the student maintains a specific grade point average. For example, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education program is geared toward those looking to go into the teaching profession. In return for up to $4,000 annually, students agree upon graduation to teach at a school that serves low-income families for at least four years.
State grants – Many states will offer students grants if they are attending colleges and universities sponsored by those states. These likely will be based on need and will require high scores on ACT or SAT tests. Check with the school’s financial aid office or the state’s department of education website for information on possible grants.
Employers – Some companies offer children of employees grants or scholarships for attending college. Qualifications may be need-based or dependent upon grade point average and class rank. Others may offer them to students studying for degrees necessary to the business.
While grants will not pay for all of a student’s tuition to college every bit that is awarded is that much more that doesn’t have to be paid for by the child or parents. It may require some advanced planning, including knowing early in high school what the student is going to want to study, but the extra effort will be worth it when others are working to pay back loans after graduation.
Guest writer Chirstina Lloyd writes for a website with lots of useful advice on how to get grants for college. She thinks it’s worthwhile for parents of high school students to research what financial aid is available.




