College and graduate school scholarships and grants for women
Paying for college and other advanced degrees is challenging for many students. This is why tapping into the world of scholarships and grants can be so worthwhile. For the most part, scholarships and grants provide money that doesn’t need to be paid back, making them a particularly attractive form of financial aid.
There are many scholarships and grants available to support different kinds of students – including women pursuing advanced degrees.
What’s the difference between scholarships and grants?
Before you begin your search for scholarships and grants, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. Scholarships and grants are terms that are often used interchangeably. This is because both of these financial aid funds don’t need to be paid back in most cases.
The main differences between grants and scholarships are where the funds come from, the eligibility criteria for them, and the application processes.
Grants
are typically provided by the federal government, state governments,
nonprofits, and schools. Students may become eligible for some of the
best-known grants – like the Pell Grant offered by the federal
government by filling the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (FAFSA)
Scholarships are offered by a range of institutions, but also individuals, companies, community organizations, and other entities. Some scholarships require students to file the FAFSA® to be eligible, some require separate applications in addition to the FAFSA®, and some don’t require the FAFSA® at all.
In many cases, grants are given based on financial need, whereas scholarships are given for a range of reasons, including merit-based achievements, extracurricular activities, fields of study, financial need, and more.
How to apply for scholarships and grants
The first recommended step to be eligible for grants and scholarships is to file the FAFSA®. This is how eligible students may access financial aid like the Pell Grant (a need-based grant for undergraduate students), among other grants and scholarships.
Scholarships and grants can have their own applications outside of or in addition to the FAFSA®, so it’s important to gather information on the scholarship or grant you’re interested in, which may be able to be found on the respective website or by reaching out to the organization or institution offering the grant or scholarship for more information on it.
After you’ve gathered information on the eligibility requirements for a scholarship or grant and you’ve decided to apply for one, your next step is to complete the scholarship or grant’s application if they have one. Some applications may require you to write essays or to record video responses to prompts. Some applications may require that you get letters of recommendation, too. Letters of recommendation might be written by teachers, people in your community, employers, or others, depending on the requirements set by the application.
Be sure to read all applications you complete thoroughly to understand the requirements and to fill them out fully before the respective deadlines.
Don’t be afraid to apply for multiple scholarships and grants to increase your chances of receiving this financial aid. There’s no limit to the number of scholarships and grants that you can apply for.
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