Pell Grants and Stafford Loans are well-known sources of government aid, but the selectively gift-bearing award letters that announce them don't have the final say when it comes to government assistance. Free FAFSA awards are an excellent source of college funding, but not all students are eligible because of their need-based component. Luckily, the government also awards assistance that is not need-based, and students may comfortably apply knowing that government programs are scam-free. Then again…Never mind.
Here are just a few options:
Scholarship for Military Children: With the help of the Scholarship for Military Children, children of active duty personnel, reserve and guard military members and deceased military members can find college funding. Students who apply must be under the age of 21 and be planning to enroll in college the following fall. Applicants must also meet the 3.0 minimum GPA requirement and must submit a completed application, transcript and a short essay. Numerous students will be selected to receive the $1,500 scholarship prize.
Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarship: The Morris K. Udall Foundation, a scholarship program created in honor of Mr. Udall’s 30 year contribution to the House of Representatives, intends to award 80 scholarships and 50 honorable mentions to sophomore and junior-year college students. Prizes will be awarded to students who dedicate themselves to a career dealing with the environment, one in tribal public policy or one in Native American health care. Award winners will each receive prizes of up to $5,000. An 800-word essay, a completed application, three letters of recommendation and school transcripts are required.
strong>Federal Cyber Service: Scholarship for Service (SFS): Put on your trench coat and go incognito. This is a cool scholarship for students who were dead serious about John Grisham novels. The Scholarship for Service program seeks to promote entrance into the government’s fields of information assurance and computer security. Award winners are to participate in academic programs dealing with information assurance during their last two college years—this applies to undergraduates, graduates and Ph.D. aspirants. They will also take part in a government internship program and become a part of the FCS, an organization responsible for ensuring the protection of the US Government information infrastructure. Winners will be required to work with the government for two years following their graduation. Because colleges act as scholarship intermediaries, interested students should contact their financial aid office to see if their school is a program participant.
CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program: The CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors and college sophomores looking to enroll in a 4-year college program. Winners will apply their academic skills to assisting CIA professionals during their summer breaks. After graduating, winners will be required to work with the Agency for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of the college sponsorship. In exchange for their work, students will be given an annual salary, health insurance and up to $18,000 per year in college cost coverage. Trips to and from work in Washington, D.C. will also be paid for.
These are only a few of the many scholarship opportunities available to high school and college students. To find more government and non-government sponsored scholarship and grant programs, you may visit Scholarships.com. At Scholarships.com, students can complete a profile that will allow them to find information on financial aid opportunities that specifically match their eligibility qualifications.
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