Financing a college education and keeping debt under control can seem like a daunting task. For students from low-income families, it can seem nearly impossible.
If your family struggles to make ends meet, income-based scholarships can provide necessary financial resources and are a great place to start when planning for your education future.
Most need-based scholarships are awarded at a local or regional level, so investigate the opportunities available to you in your own state or community. For example, if you live in the Houston area, consider applying to the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. The undergraduate scholarship provides $18,000 over four years for up to 70 high school seniors who plan to attend any four-year college or university in the U.S.
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Out east, high school seniors from North Carolina can benefit from a generous four-year scholarship totaling up to $12,000, or up to $9,000 for those transferring from a community college, from the Golden Leaf Foundation. In addition, students who are attending two-year colleges can apply for a scholarship worth up to $750 per semester. The deadline for the four-year scholarship is March 1. If you’re interested in applying for the two-year college scholarship, contact your institution’s financial aid office.
Over on the other side of the country, Washington students in their last year of high school through their sophomore year of college are eligible for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. This award is designed to assist low- and middle-income in-state students pursuing a science, technology, engineering, math or health care- related field.
With individual awards worth up to $7,500 and 700 new scholarships being provided for the upcoming year, this is an excellent resource for qualifying students. The application is open through March 2.
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For students in the southern region of the U.S., the Watson-Brown Foundation provides both need- and merit-based scholarships to university students in parts of Georgia and South Carolina. More than 800 students benefit from these renewable scholarships to the tune of $3,000 and $5,000 each year. Although the application closed earlier this month, make sure to check back next year and apply.
If you reside in Arizona, the Arizona Community Foundation makes the scholarship search easier by offering access to more than 80 different funding sources with one application. Students with financial need, disabilities or those raised in foster care can supplement the cost of education. Deadlines for these scholarships vary, with many expiring in late February and March, so apply sooner rather than later.
The Bailey Family Foundation offers scholarships for Florida students who demonstrate financial need. High school scholarship awards of $5,000 are offered and renewable for up to four years. A one-time award of $5,000 is also offered for college students. The foundation is accepting applications now through March 15.
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T he Hawaii Community Foundation also has a variety of scholarships available that take financial need into consideration. Some need-based scholarships do have GPA requirements or other application criteria, so look at the frequently-asked questions section to help clarify your eligibility. The deadline for this program is today, so apply now for your chance at free money.
Lastly, low-income students from around the country who put themselves through college with one or more jobs can find recognition with a scholarship from the Erickson Merkel Foundation. The 2015 Jerome P. Merkel Scholarship will reward the top three hardworking college students with funding in the amounts of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000. Applications are due Feb. 28, so start working on your essay s now.
Many scholarships have deadlines in the spring for the following academic year. Now is the time to start researching scholarships and planning your budget. Use a calendar to keep track of application deadlines and plan out your time wisely. Advanced preparation can pay off and make your goal of higher education attainable.
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Find Scholarships Across the U.S. to Support Low-Income Students originally appeared on usnews.com
