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.
To help students who are seeking a career in public service and who have an interest in helping others in their communities, we have created the Spencer & Associates Community Leaders Scholarship. Through this program, we provide financial assistance to college students who have demonstrated an interest in serving their communities and who are pursuing careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, or other legal fields.
Through the Community Leaders Scholarship, our firm awards $1000 each semester to an undergraduate or graduate student. Please see the requirements for eligibility and the instructions for applying below.
What is the College Prep Leadership Program?
Are you a high school student with big dreams of attending college and achieving your goals? Look no further, as our comprehensive 6-month College Prep Leadership Program is designed to equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to make your college journey a resounding success!
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The College Prep Leadership Program is an immersive hybrid learning experience to create a competitive college application process and beyond. Over the course of six months, you will engage in interactive sessions that focus on various key modules, each carefully curated to empower you on your college path. Gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and guidance on Columbia University’s prestigious campus!
The Greg Bied Scholarship, available through this platform, is another initiative by Greg to support the education and career aspirations of students across the United States. This scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to students who are enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to their education and career goals.
The scholarship is open to students in good academic standing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The application process is designed to give students the opportunity to showcase their academic achievements, career aspirations, and personal values. Applicants are required to complete an online application form, submit a current academic transcript, and write an essay on a provided topic related to their educational and career goals.
The Greg Bied Scholarship is more than just a financial aid program. It’s a commitment to the future of our students, our community, and our country. By providing this scholarship, Greg Bied is investing in the potential of our students and helping to shape the future leaders of our society.
At CustomersFirst Academy, we understand the financial challenges many mothers face when pursuing their education. To support hardworking moms, we’re delighted to announce our annual CustomersFirst Academy For Moms Scholarship.
This scholarship offers a cash award of $1000. This money can be used to offset tuition costs, purchase books, cover transportation expenses, or secure reliable childcare. Our goal is to help you focus more on your education and less on how to pay your bills.
The Keep Your Chin Up Scholarship Fund is a non-traditional scholarship for Arizona residents age 25 and older. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED but not prior Bachelor’s Degree, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, demonstrate financial need and prove school enrollment. Awards will range between $500 to $5,000 and award recipients will be chosen based on need, merit and answers to essay questions. Scholarship cycles occur in February and September of each year.
Created in honor of George Keown (GK), GK Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization helping Arizona residents, age 25 and older, better their lives through education. George was the epitome of perseverance and determination, and it is our mission to honor him in a way that represents those attributes. “Keep your chin up, kid” was his favorite thing to say whenever we faced adversity (he said it so often we teased him for it as we grew older). Now, those words are sacred to us, and we are using them to inspire others. Throughout their generosity, the GK Legacy Foundation is offering a scholarship.
Steel Root Inc, a leading cybersecurity company that provides security and compliance services for the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, announces the formation of a college scholarship that will award a selected high school junior applicant with $10,000 toward an education in the field of cybersecurity. The Steel Root Scholarship is intended to encourage skilled young applicants to enter the field of cybersecurity – a field where the demand for talent far exceeds the supply. This is open to all Massachusetts students in their junior year of high school, the scholarship has an application deadline of October 31st.
The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) is proud to offer – from the Frank J. Vigilante Scholarship Fund – scholarships that are awarded to students of Italian extraction demonstrating financial need and high
academic achievement. Competitive students must be of Italian extraction, demonstrate financial need, and must have high academic achievement. The award amount is for a one-time annual scholarship. Students may reapply annually for consideration in the annual selection process.
The Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit international conservation organization committed to fostering and supporting diversity in environmental science. Our Humboldt Diversity Scholarships enable students from under-represented racial and ethnic groups and of limited financial means to travel to the tropics and gain international experience in biological research and conservation. Scholarships can only be applied to Ceiba’s “Tropical Conservation Semester: Galapagos, Andes, and Amazon”, or one of our summer programs in Ecuador or Belize. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000. Award availability and scholarship amounts vary according to the number and need of applicants, and the length of the program.
The ISL Education Lending Scholarship awards 45 deposits of $1,000 into College Savings Iowa accounts for Iowa residents in high school or undergraduate college, or the parents, guardians or others who hold a College Savings Iowa account for high school or undergraduate college student.
Rubicon’s scholarship program provides financial assistance to graduating high school seniors or currently-enrolled college students who have expressed an interest in leadership and demonstrated an aptitude for self-reliance.
We’re dedicated to building stronger leaders and communities. Discipline is a vital attribute of any successful individual or corporation. Competition for talent is growing and we aim to be at the forefront in identifying and rewarding young people who possess the grit to succeed.
