Financial Aid and Scholarship
Finding More Money
You will be able to find a way. Remember: If you have done all you can through prayer and guidance, the heavens can open up for you.
The good news is that finding more money for school is easier than most people realize. You can look into financial aid and scholarships, but if they aren’t enough, you still have more options.
Just like when you apply for a scholarship, you will need to prove yourself to people and organizations that have money for what you need. At times you’ll need the courage to talk to strangers and ask them for help. You have learned many things in this seminar that you can rely on for courage.
You’ll need to look, behave, and speak well. Dress in clean, well-pressed clothes.
When you work on your power statements and practice them with friends, think about what the person or organization might be looking for. You may have to do some “homework” to find out. Tailor your statements to show how your strengths match those of the person they are looking for.
Scholarship sites
Below is a list of good places to start your scholarship search. The Yount website list of scholarship by ethnic group is updated as new information is made available. Appendix A includes a primer on looking for and applying for scholarships. Review it carefully.
Scholarship opportunities come and go. New ones are established each year. If you know of a source that is not included in the following list, please email it to the address listed below. If you wish to comment on any scholarship website, please do so in an email.
Email Link: webmaster@yountprogram.org
www.finaid.org
www.college.gov
www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org (click “directory”)
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio
www.fastweb.com (say no to the free offers)
www.fafsa.ed.gov (Application for Federal Aid)
www.collegeanswer.com (SallieMae)
www.students.gov (U.S. Government)
www.savingforcollege.com (529 Savings Plans)
www.scholarshipcoach.com (Ben Kaplan)
www.studentaid.ed.gov (Federal Student Aid)
www.ed.gov (U.S. Department of Education)
www.collegeboard.com
www.Lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/cspecpop.htm
www.cashforcollege.com (Cynthia Ruiz & McKee)
Scholarships for Hispanic or Latino Students
Hispanic Scholarship Fund.
The largest Hispanic-focused scholarship-granting group in the country, the HSF awards millions of dollars in scholarships each year to Hispanic high school and college students. Qualification vary, some requiring students to be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, of Hispanic descent (one parent full or two parents half), and be a full-time student. For qualifications, application deadlines and tips: www.hsf.net
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute
Affiliated with HSF, the HSFI’s scholarship program is for students studying for degrees in environmental science, math, science, computer science and other fields. Awards are usually $2,000-$3,000. www.hsfi.org
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
The CHCI awards scholarships for students with strong community leadership. They also publish a list of other scholarships, plus a lot of helpful links, at www.chci.org
League of United Latin American Citizens
The largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the country (approximately 115,000 members). In the last 10 years it has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships and grants. For a listing of scholarships and eligibility requirements: www.lulac.org/education
Hispanic College Fund
Geared toward students planning to study business, but also offers scholarships in other fields. Also find scholarship information for other organizations at www.hispanicfund.org Also Google “HCF” or go to http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications
See also National Society of Hispanic MBAs and Hispanic National Bar Association.
Scholarships for Native American Students
Displaced Homemaker Scholarship — $1500 awarded each year to varied number of Native American undergraduate and graduate students.
http://www.aigcs.org/
Gates Millennium Scholars Program (American Indian Graduate Center) — $500 to $4000 awarded each year to 150 Native American undergraduate or graduate students.
http://www.aigcs.org/
Judith McManus Price Scholarship — $2000 to $4000 awarded each year to 3 Native American and other minority undergraduate and graduate students majoring in urban and regional planning.
http://www.planning.org/
Koniag Education Foundation Academic/Graduate Scholarship — $500 to $2500 awarded each year to Alaskan Native Koniag, Inc. shareholders undergraduate and graduate students.
http://www.koniageducation.org/
Math, Engineering, Science, Business, Education, Computers Scholarships — $500 to $5000 awarded each year to 180 Native American undergraduate and graduate students.
http://www.catchingthedream.org/
Native American Leadership in Education (NALE) — $500 to $5000 awarded each year to up to 30 Native American undergraduate students.
http://www.catchingthedream.org/
Tribal Business Management Program (TBM) — $500 to $5000 awarded each year to up to 35 Native American undergraduate and graduate students majoring in business.
http://www.catchingthedream.org/
Do a Google search on Native American Scholarships or on Native American Financial Aid
Other Places to Look for Money
Federal Sources other than grants and scholarships
The federal government has many programs to aid disadvantaged individuals and families. Some of these programs can be used for school or while in school. Explore the possibilities at local help centers.
TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
WIA Workforce Investment Act
Workforce Development
Etc.
Company Sponsors
Find a company with workers in the field you want to be part of. If you want to work for them, ask if you could work for them part-time while in school. Show them your finance plan so it’s clear that you’re working and aren’t just begging. Start by talking to the top person and ask for help or advice on schooling in their field. It helps to ask someone who knows them to introduce you to them. Also, many larger companies will sponsor children of employees. If this fits your family, ask about it.
Company Donations
A lot of companies might not pay for actual scholarships, but they are willing to help pay for an education when it might help them hire someone with greater skills. Don’t by shy! Try calling companies with workers in your field. Ask if they are willing to sponsor you through school. Companies get a tax break when they donate to education, so they’re often willing to help. Have them donate money for your tuition directly to the school. Then be willing to work for them part time in return.
On-the-Job Training
Many companies qualify for a special tax credit if they hire people for on-the-job training. Talk to companies about getting the big tax credit by hiring you! The credits aren’t small: $2,400 for each new adult hire; $1,200 for each new summer youth hire; and $9,000 for each new long-term family assistance recipient hired for a two-year period. Check it out through the Employment and Training Administration within the U.S. Department of Labor (www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/).
Loans
If all else fails, consider taking out a loan. A school loan increases earning power, so it’s one of the best investments around. The financial aid office in your school can show you the state and federal loans you might qualify for. If you qualify for and need a Yount Loan, don’t hesitate to apply.
Help from the school you have chosen