Grants

WHAT ARE GRANTS

Grants are awarded funds brandished by organizations, parties, or the government for the purpose to aid in a goal. When considering going to college, students and parents must weigh how to pay for and finance this new adventure.

A grant is money or funds you receive from private or public organizations, charities, churches, and the government, which you do not have to pay back. This should be the first thing you do after applying to college. Like with other funds the college or university receives, any funds remaining after the tuition is paid go to the student. Some institutions remit these funds to students via check, while others issue students a debit card.

United States Senate Youth Program

The future looks bright for the youth of America. Students interested in a career in politics will surely benefit from this program.

Applying for this excellent opportunity is simple, students just have to retrieve the application from their school principals, guidance counselor, or social studies teachers.

This approach may be delayed by the third party involved due to schedule, availability, or just plain forgetfulness.

Alternatively, students can contact their state selection contact by clicking on the link above (or below) and visiting the website. Lucky students are selected by state officials.

High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for this program. The first phase of this program brings two students from each state to Washington, D.C.

Delegates will be immersed in Washington activities throughout their week-long stay. This is a great time to be fully immersed in the United States Senate experience.

Visits to the Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, and Pentagon are mixed with time spent at various Smithsonian museums to maximize the experience of the Nation’s Capitol.

Delegates will hear policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials of various executive departments, and many others.

The best aspect of all of this may just be the fact that the William Randolph Hearst Foundation will pay all expenses for the week, including transportation, hotel, and meals.

Phase two includes awarding both recipients with a generous college scholarship of $5,000 (even after everything thus far).

The Hearst Foundation requires that to obtain scholarship funds, a student must, within two years after high school graduation, enroll at an accredited U. S. college or university.

The student is encouraged to include courses in government or related subjects in his or her undergraduate program.

@SenYouthAlumni

"Summertime sees the least number of scholarship applications which means less competition."

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program awards “good-through-graduation” scholarships to 1,000 academically gifted students each year to be used at any university or college. Applications are only accepted online. Click here for more information.

The program is credited with lessening the barriers for African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanics with talent and a leadership initiative.

Graduate school funding is also provided by the Gates Millennium Scholars Program in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, mathematics, science, public health, and library science.

The average award was $11,593 between the years 2000-2010. Almost 30% of Gates Millennium scholars continue their education in graduate school.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) administers the Gate Millennium Scholars Program with assistance from the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Be warned, the application process is a bit involved, as it is completely done online, and requires others, specifically speaking a Nominator and a Recommender.

The Nominator and Recommender will have to log in and create an account before recommending on a student’s behalf.

This can be a hindrance to students who have to locate someone with internet access and time to set up an account.

There is a 21-page practice application for students to familiarize themselves with the process. The website also lists a strategy on how to complete the scholarship application.

To save you some time, here is a list of questions you will be prompted to answer after you register and sign in:

Have you attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 unweighted scale or earned a GED?
By June 2014, will you have completed high school or earned a GED?
Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or national of the United States?
Will you enter college for the first time in the fall of 2014 as a full-time student to seek an undergraduate degree (except for students currently in high school and college at the same time)?

This is relevant because depending on your answers you may not be eligible to apply. If you answer “No” to any of them you will not be eligible. You will only reach this point after you have registered, which includes providing your contact information, age, birth date, and Social Security Number.

Twitter: @gatesfoundation

"Start sending recommendation letters while a junior or senior in high school. This will let the appropriate parties know who you are and give them time to accommodate your academic goals."

The Nursing Scholarship Program

The Nursing Scholarship Program is a selective program of the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses currently experienced by certain types of health care facilities by helping needy students complete their nurse training.

In exchange for the scholarship, upon graduation, the newly minted nurses work at these facilities for at least 2 years.

It is best to sign up to receive an email alerting you when the next application cycle becomes available. Questions can be sent to GetHelp@hrsa.gov.

A plus for graduates participating in this program is that they get to work at health care facilities in or near what the Nurse Corps call the Health Professional Shortage Areas or HPSA for short.

These facilities have a shortage of professional nurses and rely on the Nurse Corp for supplementation. Participants can work at these facilities for at least two years and earn the same salary as new hires.

This will help recent grads with finding a job after graduation, something recent grads sometimes find difficult.

Twitter: @HRSAgov

Bank of America – Joe Martin Scholarship

The scholarship is named in honor and memory of Joe Martin, former Principal Corporate Affairs Executive and Special Counsel to former Chairman Hugh McColl. Joe sacrificed much time and effort to better his community.

He represented the kind of well-rounded, knowledge-seeking character that Bank of America hopes to mirror in its quest to provide opportunities to students with the determination to excel.

The Bank of America Joe Martin Scholarship program is a competitive scholarship program available to the children of Bank of America employees who have been employed by Bank of America for at least 1 year.

The good thing is dependents of deceased, disabled, or retired employees also are eligible, but that’s it. Awards are $2,500 for 1 year of full-time study and may be renewed for up to 3 additional years.

This long-term aspect of the Joe Martin scholarship makes this a great scholarship to add to your list, permitting you are a dependent of a BoA employee.

Just being a dependent of a BoA employee isn’t all, you must be 23 or younger, a high school senior or have graduated.

Twitter: @BankofAmerica

CIEE

CIEE is a non-profit, non-governmental international exchange organization. For over 60 years, our mission has been: “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.”

We develop and administer programs, advocate for the advancement of international education, and build knowledge through CIEE research, publications, and conferences.

For U.S. students, faculty, and administrators, CIEE offers programs including study abroad, teach abroad, and faculty development seminars. For those interested in coming to the U.S. on an exchange program, options range from high school programs to J-1 work and internship opportunities

CIEE offers a wealth of scholarships and programs for U.S. students who wish to study abroad and for international students who wish to study in the U.S. Here is a brief listing of some of the great programs.

CIEE offer:

Study Abroad

USA High School: Study in the U.S.A. on a J-1 visa if you are an international student.
Congress-Bundestag Scholarship: U.S. high school can study in Germany
USA High School Plus: International students study in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.
English Language Academy: This program lets international students learn U.S. English while in the U.S.
Gap Year Abroad: U.S. high school grads can provide a service, learn a language, and participate in an exchange under this program.
High School Abroad: U.S. high school students can go to a foreign high school.
C1 Leadership Academy: Spend a summer in this cultural exchange program for U.S. high school students.

There are more programs offered by CIEE that allow you to work abroad and for international citizens to work and travel in the USA. This organization is highly recommended for those interested in studying in another country. Questions? CONTACT@CIEE.ORG

Twitter: @cieestudyabroad @CIEE_oficial1

Jefferson Scholarship

The undergraduate scholarship offered at the University of Virginia has been helping those seeking financial aid since 1980.

Jefferson Scholars from within the Commonwealth of Virginia will receive $26,000 and those from out the commonwealth, including international students, will receive $53,000 annually.

These annual stipends are intended to cover the entire cost of a four-year degree at the university. This includes books, tuition fees, room, supplies, board, and personal expenses.

Email: jeffsch@virginia.edu

Twitter: @UVA

Marathon Oil UNCF Corporate Scholarship

The Marathon Oil Corporation is an independent international energy company that has teamed up with the United Negro College Fund to enhance the education of students seeking careers in Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, and Geophysics.

The program seeks to help African Americans, American Indians (Native Americans), Alaskan Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic Americans by providing a scholarship of up to $15,000, in addition to a summer internship opportunity.

Applicants must complete an online application and upload a current unofficial transcript and resume. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Contact crystal.terry@uncf.org

Twitter: @UNCF

Princeton Prize in Race Relation

Princeton University administers the Princeton Prize in Race Relations rewarded to students who made significant impacts on race relations in their communities and schools.

For students who advocate respect and racial harmony are awarded cash prizes of $1,000. Candidates must have been engagingly involved in a volunteer activity within the past 12 months.

Once students complete and submit their application, a non-related adult, otherwise known as a supporter such as a teacher, advisor, mentor, religious leader, or neighbor must complete the second part of the application.

Applications can be downloaded from Princeton University’s website and mailed to:

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Alumni Association of Princeton University
P.O. Box 291
Princeton, New Jersey
08542-0291
PPrize@princeton.edu
(800)742-1036

Twitter: @Princeton

Horatio Alger Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans has advocated that hard work, honesty, and diligence can overcome any obstacles.

In honor of author Horatio Alger Jr., the association rewards students with money for college and its members mentor students and elucidate the economic and personal opportunities available to them by way of the American free enterprise system.

Award ceremonies are held in Washington D.C. each Spring. Over 1,000 members attend the annual Awards Dinner.

Applicants must complete 4 essays. The first 3 may be 150 words and cover what adversities the applicant has faced, what organizations or persons have helped them overcome these adversities, and how they will apply what they have learned to have a positive full life.

The last essay is a personal comparison between the applicant and a member of the association. This must be between 50-200 words.