Many people don’t realize that you can obtain college scholarships, grants and student loans for accredited online degree programs, just like traditional on campus programs. In fact, there are grants and scholarships for single mom’s and working mothers, too.

The process is the same, you have to file the Federal Student Aid FAFSA form that most schools and scholarship granting entities use to determine need.  Although not all scholarships and grants are based on need, you should still file the FAFSA to find every dollar for which you qualify and are entitled.

One really great way to find all the financial aid programs for which you may qualify is to use a scholarship/grant matching service such as FastWeb.com. These matching services can help you find grants and scholarships all in one place, rather than having to research each school and each separate entity.  You probably qualify for more than you think, so get started now!

Heading Back to School? – Don’t forget to find scholarships for college at FastWeb.com

Thinking about pursuing your degree through distance learning?  Worried about how you will pay the tuition and any other costs involved? You may qualify for a scholarship, grant or other type of financial aid.  Distance education degrees are no different, in terms of funding, than on-campus degree programs.  Of course the online degree program must be accredited, but the same holds true for traditional degrees.

All of the traditional types of financial aid are available: Scholarships, grants, and student loans.  What are they and how do they work?

Scholarships:

Scholarships do not have to be repaid.  They are personalized forms of financial aid available for students with particular strengths in academic, artistic, or athletic fields. In addition, students from underrepresented minority groups or students in financial need may also be eligible to receive scholarships. 

Consult with the various schools with programs in which you have interest to determine if they offer scholarships for students in your situation.

Grants:

Grants do not have to be repaid.  Pell Grants are a type of educational grant that is often awarded to students by the Federal government. To receive a Pell Grant, students must meet certain qualifications that have been determined by the government.

Student Loans:

Student loans must be repaid.  There are several types of educational loans available from the Federal government. Two major categories of federal education loans are:

• Student loans (Stafford loans and Perkins loans)

Stafford loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized Stafford loans are awarded to students based on their financial need. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not based on financial need.
Perkins Loans are low-interest loans borrowed directly from your school with federal assistance.

• Parent loans (PLUS loans)

  PLUS loans are awarded to parents of students who qualify as dependents

To apply for any form of federal financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.)  Do this as early as possible.

Students should complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet prior to filling out the FAFSA; it will make the process go much more smoothly.