Need based scholarships are given to students who show financial need. These awards determine eligibility based on family income. Financial need may come from filling out the FAFSA. About 58% of low income families used need based scholarships in 2019, according to a Sallie Mae study. A scholarship is a monetary gift. you typically do not to pay back the funds compared to a student loan. So receiving a scholarship may make college more affordable.
10 Scholarships for Financial Need You Should Apply for
There are plenty of need based scholarships for college students. Start your scholarship search with these ten awards. Then look for more scholarship opportunities based on your goals, major and interests.
GE Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Dell Scholarship Program
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship
UNCF Koch Scholarships
Smith College Need Based Financial Aid
Anarcha, Betsy, and Lucy Memorial Scholarship Award
AKA Educational Advancement Foundation Graduate Financial Need
National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) – Graduate Student Grant (NJ)
How Do You Qualify for Need Based Scholarships?
To qualify for need based scholarships, the first step is to fill out the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a standard form to determine financial aid. The federal government, states and colleges use it. FAFSA forms are available on October 1st so make sure to apply by the deadline.
The FAFSA asks questions about family income, taxes, and other assets. This helps find what you are able to pay or your expected family contribution (EFC). You also list the colleges you applied to and the cost of attendance. Based on the math: COA minus EFC equals your unmet financial need. Keep in mind that tuition may vary over time but your EFC could stay the same.
Here are some general eligibility requirements for need based scholarships:
Full time enrollment status
U.S. citizen or legal resident
Plans to attend an accredited two or four year college in the United States
Have a high school diploma or GED
With all these factors, there are need based scholarships for students majoring in certain subjects. UNCF STEM Scholars Program is one example. This award is for Black high school students. You must have at least 3.0 GPA and plans to pursue a STEM career.
What is the difference between need based and merit scholarships?
Need based scholarship is given to family assets and income while merit scholarships are based on academic success. The main goal of need based aid is to make college more affordable for low income families. Your GPA and test scores may not be a factor in receiving financial need awards. Assuming need is not a criteria, undergraduate students of all income levels may also qualify for merit scholarships.
Merit scholarships are for high achieving students. They look at academic achievements. You typically need a strong GPA and test scores in order to qualify. Other criteria such as community service, leadership, and other talents could help you earn a merit award.
Where Do You Find Scholarships Based on Financial Need?
Many high schools, colleges, companies and nonprofits provide need based college scholarships. Federal and state governments also offer financial aid based on need. You should also look for local awards within your community. Your scholarship search should include awards based on your academic achievements, major, and personal interests.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is for high school seniors with financial need. Eligible students may receive up to $40,000. You must be attending a four year undergraduate school. Many Cooke scholars exhibit a 3.5 GPA or higher and participate in community service projects. If you are selected, you may work with an education adviser. You also may attend a Scholars Weekend event in Washington D.C.
Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund is for women over 35 years old who show unmet financial need. JRF Scholars may receive up to $8,000. The award empowers non traditional students to pursue undergraduate program or trade skills certification.
Federal and State Government
The U.S. Department of Education offers need based aid as grants and work study. Once your school’s financial aid office has your FAFSA, it uses your EFC to make you an offer. It’s also called an award letter. It states the types of aid available, total amounts and outstanding cost. The letter may state a college scholarship especially if you’re a first year student.
This is the largest need based federal grant program. Amounts change but the maximum amount is $6,345 for the 2020 to 2021 academic year. According to Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2020 report, 48% of families relied on grants to pay for college. Although grants are renewable, you may have to keep up with the terms and reapply each year.
This program allows eligible students to earn money to pay for school through a part time job. As a rule, you must apply and interview for these jobs. You may find on campus or off campus work. Some typical work study jobs include office assistant, lab research, cafe worker, and others.
Some colleges offer TEACH Grant eligible programs. If you’re enrolled as an undergraduate, post bachelor’s or grad student at one of these schools you may qualify. Eligible applicants need a 3.25 GPA and must sign a service contract. This states that upon graduation, you agree to teach in a high need field, full time and at a school that serves low income students. In return, this federal grant provides up to $4,000 per year.
Many states have a certain amount of need based grants. You may have to fill out a FAFSA as well as state form and be accepted to a public four year college in your state. Just make sure to meet all application deadlines since they may differ.
Get Schooled is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping young people get to college, find first jobs, and succeed in both. We offer young people the digital resources and support necessary to succeed academically and in their first jobs.
The Foundation for Global Sports Development is committed to empowering youth through education. Our Exceptional Youth Scholarship recognizes youth who have demonstrated remarkable conduct through community service efforts, volunteerism, and mentorship activities, in addition to achieving outstanding academic performance.
A total of ten (10) high school seniors will each be awarded a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to be applied towards the cost of attendance including tuition, housing, books, and other on-campus related expenses at accredited, four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
Since its inception in 2002, United Way of Long Island has awarded scholarships and/or grants, in the areas of Academics & Enrichment, totaling more than $1,000,000. The D.R.E.A.M.S. For Youth Advisory Board, comprised of 7th graders to college students, works under the guidance of United Way staff to make award decisions. The Dreams R Us Foundation provides support for D.R.E.A.M.S. For Youth scholarships.
The D.R.E.A.M.S. For Youth Scholarship grants are awarded in two areas:
Academic – Assists with costs associated with educational goals at a college, university, private or vocational school. Applicants must be in grade 12, demonstrate financial need and a commitment to community service. Financial awards range from $1,000 to $2,500.
Enrichment – Assists with costs associated with activities that enrich the soul, body, heart or inspire creativity. Examples may include music, singing, dance, art lessons; computer graphics training; acting, photography, fashion design; specialized summer camps etc. Funds may be used for enrollment fees, instruments and/or supplies. Applicants must be in grades 7-12, demonstrate financial need and a commitment to community service. Financial awards range from $100 to $2,500.
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation has been in Cincinnati, OH since 1918. We are a 501(c)3 public charity that establishes and awards higher education scholarships to students who have financial needs. We believe that if a student wants to go to college or get a trade certification that financial need should not be a barrier.
We have over 130 scholarships available for students from the Greater Cincinnati region (OH-Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties; KY- Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties; IN-Dearborn County). Scholarships are primarily for students seeking a higher education through trade/certification programs, associates and bachelor degrees.
The “Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers is open to mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college degree. This scholarship is funded by Scholarships360’s own Maria Geiger, who started her journey toward a B.A. at the same time that her oldest son Will started college. Maria knows firsthand how challenging it is to raise a family, have a job outside the home, and attend college, but would not change the way she did things for the world. Mothers who have a desire to earn their college degree bring unique perspectives that greatly enhance their learning experiences; for some, motherhood is a vocation that enlightens like no other. If you are a mother over the age of 35 who feels that the time is right to begin your academic or career journey, please apply!
At Scholarships360, we know how hard it can be to pay off the hefty costs of a college tuition. Oftentimes, this is even more difficult for students coming from low-income backgrounds or for those who demonstrate financial need. This is where our “A Helping Hand” Scholarship comes in! We’re offering a $500 scholarship to help out a low-income student who is passionate about their higher education journey and is actively looking for ways to fund it. This award is open to high school students in the graduating class of 2024, as well as undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year. The “A Helping Hand” Scholarship will be awarded to students based on both the quality of their essays and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. In order to apply, students should submit an essay detailing how winning the scholarship would help you fulfill your dreams. We look forward to reading your application!
At The Hatton Law Firm PLLC, our team understands the difficulties that many families face and the issues that affect parents as they work to provide for their children’s needs. Our experience representing clients who have suffered serious injuries has given us an appreciation of the sacrifices that parents regularly make to better the lives of their children.
We also know the importance of a college education, especially for those who come from low-income households and who are looking to pursue opportunities and improve the lives of themselves and their families. To help people in these situations, we have created The Hatton Law Firm Aspire Higher Scholarship, which provides $1,000 each semester to a college student from a low-income family. The deadline to apply for our Fall 2023 scholarship is October 17, 2023. Please review the eligibility requirements for our scholarship below. If you have any questions about the scholarship, please contact us at [email protected].
At the Law Office of Jae Lee, we regularly represent clients in matters related to immigration. As a first-generation immigrant himself, Attorney Jae Lee understands the struggles that many families face and the difficulties they may encounter as they work to establish lives in the United States. Fortunately, there are many opportunities available for immigrants, and by pursuing education and job opportunities, they can not only support themselves and their families, but they can integrate into American society, participate in the community, and live happy, successful lives.
To ensure that immigrants can pursue educational opportunities, our firm has created a scholarship program that provides assistance to first or second generation immigrants from low-income families. We award one student with a scholarship of $1,000 each semester, which may be used to help pay for tuition or other educational expenses, such as books, supplies, or room and board.
I am. . .
I am a perfectly flawed child of God. I want to feel valuable, secure and needed, and I am by Jesus. He needs me to listen, obey and co-labor with Him every day. This foundation was created in the midst of my child being diagnosed with cancer, a rare-form of cancer. It was an extremely dark and depressing time, and I fully doubted who God was. But I heard in my spirit to keep going, to finish what was started for this foundation to be created. So I did, and He answered.
I don’t have it all together. I am still learning, still trying, still figuring it out. One day at a time, one step at a time, as God reveals my path, my purpose, my destiny. It matters. What I do on earth affects my eternity.
So this is me trying to listen & obey, join me and we can journey together!
Earn $500 toward your education by telling your story! Combs Law Group is excited to announce our current scholarship essay contest. See below for scholarship contest terms.
As a criminal defense lawyer, we often stand physically by someone’s side when they feel like the world (or at least the city, state, or federal government) are against them. Though our job is to defend our clients, it’s often not about whether or not we believe they are guilty or deserve punishment. It’s about giving them the protection and due process they are entitled to as someone accused of a crime in the United States.
Often, we also serve as a source of support and human compassion for our clients. We all need that person sometimes, regardless of who we are or what situations we find ourselves in.
Think about a time in your life when someone stood up for or defended you. Is there a go-to person who is always there in your corner? Or was there one particularly difficult situation where someone spoke up on your behalf? Write an essay reflecting on one or more of these questions for a chance to win a scholarship toward your education.
Learn more about the details and rules for this essay contest or submit your materials for the Combs Law Group Q3 2023 scholarship.
