Applying for Scholarships and Grants

by Yineisi Gonzalez
(Perth Amboy, NJ, USA)

As we all may know college has become very expensive. I know for a fact that most parents don’t have enough money to pay for their kids college, well at least where I come from. I'm from a small city in New Jersey, where the majority of people are Hispanics and can’t afford to pay for their kids college. So it is all up to us, the students, to get as much help as we possible can, like applying for scholarships.

My counselor once told us, “there is millions of money for students in need you just need to search for it.” Those were words of advice that I will always follow throughout college.

You should start applying for scholarship as soon as you start applying for college, at the beginning of your senior year. Seek for help, like going to your school counselor, but don’t always depend on someone, always search the web and apply as many scholarships as you can. You might not be accepted on the first one or the first few but as many as you apply there would be a greater chance of getting some type of money to pay for college. Looking for scholarships for college ends up being a fun adventure, because there are so many different type of scholarships. For example, there are scholarships for being lefty, Hispanic, tall, short and much more.

In addition, lets not forget about grants. Grants are a wonderful way to finance your college education, because unlike loans they do not have to be paid back. You just need to remember to fill out the FAFSA, because they will always give you some type of grant.

As a first year college student I learned about the TAG program, I thought that I was the only one who didn't know what that was. But I learned that many people didn't have a clue about the TAG program. The Tuition Aid Grant Program provides awards to financially needy New Jersey students, in other words more free money that you do not have to pay back. There is tons of way of getting free money, we just have to learn about it and always seek for help.

As a first generation I learned a lot about scholarships and grants and it’s not easy but nothing in life worth having comes easy.

Read more hints about Applying for Scholarships and Grants from other students and parents who have been through process.

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Yineisi for sharing your story about scholarships and grants. Many families can’t afford to pay for their kids college. Fortunately most states offer grants to help pay for college. These state grants like the Tuition Aid Grant Program in New Jersey are a great way for lower income students to pay for college. Good luck to you.

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Applying for Scholarships and Grants

Scholarship Money for College | Scholarship Contests | Merit Based Scholarships | Easy Scholarships | Scholarships for Minorities | Federal Pell Grants | College Financial Aid Advice

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Advice to Exceed

by Karl Castellanos
(California)

Coming from a Latino background as well as community, we struggle a lot for grants and scholarship due to the fact that I am not a U.S citizen. Now is it easier because of the new Dream Act helping my community and myself. The Dream Act is opening gates for all Hispanics who are not documented. Giving me temporary residency allows me to compete for other grants that are not just for AB 540 students.

Grants and scholarships are everywhere, you just have to look for them they are online and in your community. A website that I would like to share with everyone that is in this time of need is “http://roybal-allard.house.gov.” If you are as dedicated as me I don’t mind having people running up against me for these grants. Communities are always there for you, go to your local Target or Walmart and ask for aid since you are going to college, they will be happy to help you in anyway they can. You might need to show some community service but it is nothing you don’t have. In my school along with others have PTA and other program that are a non-profit but they are there to aid the student that their dreams is a better education ask them for their requirements.

Another advice I can give is don't wait too long to start signing up for financial aid also don’t miss the deadlines because maybe you had what it took but you couldn't show it. Being a senior in my high school I couldn't give a lot of advice but the little bit of knowledge I had, I was more than happy to share with those who are in the same situation. You know what they say “When you are in love, you want to tell the whole world.” So please pass on the knowledge and help others become great.

Read more Scholarships and Grants from other students and parents who have been through process.

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Comment from your friendly team at College Financial Aid Advice

Thank you Karl for sharing the link to the list of scholarships on Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s website. I hope the Dream Act will allow you to go to college. Best of luck to you.

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More Tips for Scholarships and Grants

Hispanic Scholarships | Scholarships for High School Students | Scholarship Money for College | Scholarship Contests | Merit Based Scholarships | Easy Scholarships | Scholarships for Minorities | Federal Pell Grants | College Financial Aid Advice | Unique Scholarships


Submit your entry in our College Essay Contest:

To share your entry in our scholarship contest, just click here.