A Guide to Student Grants and Scholarships

Colleges and Universities can be expensive… sometimes getting accepted into the school of your choice can be the easy part of the educational journey of the new student. Finding the money you need to pay for your education can be difficult, but there are ways to make paying for school much more effortless. Two of the more common ways to ease the cost of continuing education are student grants and scholarships, both of which provide specific amounts of money that can be applied toward the cost of further education without the need to repay them. Student grants and scholarships aren't always easy to find or win, but the extra time spent researching and applying for them is well worth it if you are awarded any of those you apply for.

Defining Grants and Scholarships

The first thing you need to know when looking for student grants and scholarships is precisely what the difference between grants and scholarships is. Both grants and scholarships are funds given to students based on academic performance, financial need, or other reasons. Unlike student loans, they do not require the student to repay them after graduation. The significant difference between grants and scholarships is their origins and how they are used. Grants are usually given by government offices and non-profit organizations and can generally be used to cover various expenses. On the other hand, scholarships are typically created by businesses or private individuals and are used to cover specific costs such as tuition or dormitory costs. Both grants and scholarships must be applied for and are generally considered highly competitive since there's only so much grant or scholarship money to go around each semester or each year.

Finding Grants and Scholarships

You can locate grants and scholarships in several ways to assist with the cost of attending a college or university. Most school guidance counselors have listings of available grants and scholarships and application information on many of them. Additionally, the financial aid offices of the colleges and universities where prospective students are considering attending can provide detailed information on many scholarships and grants students receive. The internet can also be a helpful tool in assisting your search, allowing you to find grants and scholarships that can be applied for that many people don't even know that they exist. While these might not be large grants or scholarships, even smaller ones can provide much-needed financial aid.

The Application Process

Unlike many loans, the applications for grants and scholarships are usually somewhat involved and may require several different items in addition to the application. Many scholarship and grant applications require letters of recommendation from former teachers, community or business leaders, or others who can speak knowingly of the applicant. They may also require essays or other written pieces from the applicant. Those scholarships and grants that are given based on financial need may require that tax statements or earned income statements be provided by the student or by their parents so that the decision-makers might be able to determine that the student falls within the level of financial need that is needed for the particular grant or scholarship.

Others may also require that the student or their parents be employed in a particular industry, be a member of a specific organization, or meet other criteria set forth when the grant or scholarship was first created.

International Academic Scholarship

In the past international academic scholarships throughout America were not as common. However, today, there is a high demand for diversity in the USA higher education institutions, and some universities even provide federal financial aid to international students. Most universities provide some form of scholarship incentives to stimulate their recruiting requirements.

Some Examples are Freshman International Students with a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 and Transfer International Students with a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 ( International 6.5-7.9 / USA B average 3.0 ) are eligible for these scholarships.

GPA of 3.60-4.00 $8,000
GPA of 3.30-3.59 $7,000
GPA of 3.00-3.29 $6,000

Something else to consider would be your major field of study. Some majors receive more scholarship funding; therefore, you should review the University website to find out what's available.

American Community Colleges don't usually provide large scholarship programs because their tuition is extremely low compared to American universities. America's best-kept secret is community colleges. Today, you can attend a community college starting at the age of 16 and receive a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree in 24 months, saving considerably.

Graphic design two students standing next to the Statue of Liberty

If you are an international student considering studying abroad in the USA, you can find more information through USA Student Advisory Vietnam. We understand the complexities of the educational system and are here to support students in achieving their educational and career goals. Visit us today and see how we can help you make the most out of your education.

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