Higher education is an important tool for all of us to succeed in today's America. The idea of education and training can be very daunting due to the high costs, and also because "education" is often aimed at youth. The following programs are proof that you don't have to be a high school senior to take advantage of scholarships, grants, and other money assistance to go back to get your degree or to even take some basic training courses. Adults can get $2,500 to go back to school. Women over the age of 45 can receive up to $5,000 to get an education. In Indiana, adult students can get up to $25,000 to help them with college. There is money for men, women, people studying business, people who are unemployed, people who have had life changing experiences, and more.
You can find more programs on the federal level (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov), the state level (every state has grants and other money available for higher education. Look for the state office of higher education. You can find them by dialing 411 and asking for your state capitol operator or by going to the web at www.govengine.com and clicking on your state) and local level (there are hundreds of directories you can look at; just go to your local library or bookstore and check them out).
There is also a free information clearinghouse, which offers free research either on the web or on the phone on any education topic, such as scholarship and financial aid for returning, non-traditional students: Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), 800-LET-ERIC (538-3742), www.eric.ed.gov.
No SATs Tests for Adults
One of the benefits of being an older student is that many schools do not require you to take the SAT or any other entrance exams, especially if you have been out of school for a long time. However, you should check with the school you want to attend. Each school will have their own requirements and even if they do not want you to take an SAT test, they might want you to do other aptitude tests in things like math and writing.
350 Colleges You Can go to for Free if You're 55-60
Believe it or not, more than 350 colleges and universities all across the country have special programs for adults who are interested in going back to school. This often means free or low-cost tuition, discounts on fees and books, and even special deals on housing. Anyone interested should contact the school they wish to attend to find out how to apply for a discount or waiver. Some limitations and restrictions may apply.
Over 100 Examples of Scholarships for Grown Ups
Listed below are a number of programs that can provide free money and help for your returning to school. If you are interested in thousands of additional programs like those presented below go to our Government Money Club at (www.myamericanbenefitsplan.com/trialregister704.php)
Over $140,000 to Help You Become a Chef
Program Name: Culinary Trust Scholarship Programs
Amount (Max): $5,000
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: For the educational pursuits of beginning and/or currently enrolled culinary students as well as long-time culinary professionals seeking funding for continuing education and/or conducting independent study and research.
Contact: The Culinary Trust, 304 W. Liberty Street, Suite 201, Louisville, KY 40202; 502-581-9786, ext.264; Fax: 502-589-3602; Find Out More Here.
Scholarships So Single Moms Can go Back to School
Program Name: Scholarship For Continuing Education
Amount (Max): Varies
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Available to single parent women who would like to go to school or continue with their education, but have been denied sufficient resources.
Contact: Raise The Nation, P.O. Box 8058, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87198; 1-505-265-1201; Find Out More Here.
$7,500 to Study Math and Science
Program Name: Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program
Amount (Max): $7,500
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Must be college junior or senior studying math, science or engineering.
Contact: Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence In Education Foundation, 6225 Brandon Avenue, Suite 315, Springfield, VA 22150-2519; 703-756-6012; www.act.org/goldwater/; Email: goldwater@act.org
Application: www.act.org/goldwater/yysnm.html
$25,000 Fellowships for Jewish Students
Program Name: Wexner Graduate Fellowships
Amount (Max): $75,000 ($25,000 each year for up to three years)
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Must be a college graduate who plans to pursue a career in the Jewish community.
Contact: The Wexner Foundation, Office of the Graduate Fellowship Program, 8000 Walton Parkway, Suite 110, New Albany, OH 43054; 614-939-6060; Fax: 614-939-6066; www.wexnerfoundation.org/
Application: wexnerfoundation.org/GFA/Fellowship_Eligibility.aspx and wexnerfoundation.org/Foundation/ (register here to apply online)
$37,000 Per Year to Get a Grad Degree
Program Name: STAR (Science to Achieve Results) Fellowship Program
Amount (Max): $37,000
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: For master's and doctoral level students in environmentally-related fields of study.
Contact: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20460; 202-343-9656 or 800-490-9194; http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/; Email: 2007FellowshipsRFP@epa.gov
Application:es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2007/2007_star_fellow.html#APPLICATION or es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/forms/
$27,600 Per Year to Get a Higher Degree
Program Name: DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program
Amount (Max): $27,600 ($2,300 per month for up to 12 months)
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Must be getting your graduate degree in the physical, biological, social, or behavioral sciences.
Contact: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Drive, SW., University Programs, Washington, DC 20528; 202-282-8000; www.orau.gov/dhsed/; Email: dhsed@orau.gov
Application: www.orau.gov/dhsed/FellowsApplic2006.pdf
$14,000 Scholarship to Further Study Science
Program Name: DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program
Amount (Max): $14,000 ($1,000 per month for up to 9 months and $5,000 for 10-week internship)
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Must be getting your degree in the physical, biological, social, or behavioral sciences.
Contact: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Drive, SW., University Programs, Washington, DC 20528; 202-282-8000; www.orau.gov/dhsed/; Email: dhsed@orau.gov
Application: www.orau.gov/dhsed/ScholarsApplic2006.pdf
$80,000 for Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
Program Name: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)
Amount (Max): $80,000 ($20,000 per year up; can be renewed up to four years)
Income Requirements: up to $19,600 per person
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Must be committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.
Contact: Undergraduate Scholarship Program, National Institutes of Health, 2 Center Drive, Room 2E24, MSC 0230, Bethesda, MD 20892-0230; 888-352-3001; Fax: 301-480-3123; http://www.ugsp.nih.gov/home.asp?m=00; Email: ugsp@nih.gov
Application: www.ugsp.nih.gov/application_center/application
_center.asp?m=02&s=01
$30,000 to Attend Any College
Program Name: Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program
Amount (Max): $30,000
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: For college juniors who are preparing for a career in public service.
Contact: Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, 712 Jackson Place, NW Washington, DC 20006; 202-395-4831; Fax: 202-395-6995; www.truman.gov/; Email: office@truman.gov
Application: www.truman.gov/candidates/candidates_show.htm
?cat_id=777&doc_id=246903 (sample applications)
$24,000 to Study Environmental Policy
Program Name: Morris K. Udall Fellowship Program
Amount (Max): $24,000
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: Recipients must be in the final, writing year of their Ph.D. work in the areas of environmental public policy or environmental conflict resolution.
Contact: Morris K. Udall Dissertation Fellowship Program, 130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701-1922; 520-901-8500; Fax: 520-670-5530; www.udall.gov/udall.asp?link=400; Email: curlin@udall.gov
Application:www.udall.gov/udall.asp?link=403
$40,000 Per Year for Graduate School
Program Name: Scholarship For Service Program
Amount (Max): $40,000 ($12,000 stipend + costs for books, tuition, room and board)
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: List of participating institutions: hwww.sfs.opm.gov/ContactsPI.asp?p=st
Other Requirements: Students agree to work for the Federal Government for a period equivalent to the length of the scholarship or one year, whichever is longer.
Contact: Scholarship For Service Program Office, 8610 Broadway, Suite 305, San Antonio, TX 78217; 210-805-2423, ext. 506; www.sfs.opm.gov/; Email: sfs@opm.gov
$10,000 to Study the Law
Program Name: Frederick B. Abramson Public Interest Fellowship Award
Amount (Max): $10,000
Income Requirements: None
Geographic Requirements: Nationwide
Other Requirements: The recipients must commit to at least one year's employment with a non-profit organization in the District of Columbia.
Contact: The Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation, 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036; 202-828-5120; Fax: 202-828-6490; www.abramsonfoundation.org/fellowship/index.shtml; Email: info@abramsonfoundation.org
Application: www.abramsonfoundation.org/fellowship/fellowshipform.shtml
