If you want to continue into higher education, do not let the cost of college deter you from creating a better future for yourself. There is a lot of financial aid available for you to choose from. A huge amount of scholarships are readily available and awaiting your application.
You can find scholarships through many avenues. One way is by major. Yes, by major, meaning that your intended area of study can play a role in finding financial aid. There are scholarships out there connected to particular undergraduate majors. Using various internet sites and inputting your major, you will be able to locate many scholarships that can be easily obtainable.
The most common areas of study are in education, healthcare and STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math). There are substantial scholarship opportunities waiting for you, if you are intending to pursue one of these areas of study.
Science Majors
A popular college major is Biology, or a variance thereof. Its popularity may be due to the wide range of possibilities that this major opens up. You can continue and acquire an M.D. or work at hospitals, schools, parks, zoos, or laboratories. This is why numerous scholarship providers have gone out of their way to provide funding for this major.
Stan Beck Fellowship: Applicants for this scholarship must be graduate or undergraduate students in entomology or a related discipline in a college or university in the United States, Mexico, or Canada. It is also a needs-based scholarship based on physical limitations or economic, minority, or environmental conditions.
Dr. W. Wesley Eckenfelder Jr. Scholarship: Eligibility for this scholarship consists of being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Also, the student must be enrolled full-time in his/her junior, senior year or in a graduate program at an accredited college or university. Student major should be in civil, chemical or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences (biology, geology, hydrogeology, ecology . . .). For qualification a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher must be met.
Education Majors
A major priority is given into giving our teachers the best training and education possible, which for that future teacher can be costly. Many enter this field of study due to the rewarding careers available, but the chance of placing in the “higher end” of the pay echelon is low. (U.S. Department of Education) Scholarships will allow our future teachers to at least obtain their degree without a large amount of debt.
Ford Motor Company Tribal Scholarship: The Ford Motor Company will award up to $5,000 annually based on financial need. The scholarship is for students studying math, science, engineering, business, teacher training or environmental science. Student must be an American Indian, Alaska Native or Hawaii native with at least a 3.0 GPA and having demonstrated leadership and commitment to the American Indian community. Submission of a Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required.
TEACH Grant: The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in public or private elementary or secondary schools serving students from low-income families. The student must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing their degree. Failure to complete this service obligation will require the student to repay the grant. For eligibility the applicant must complete the FAFSA, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and be an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate or graduate student attending a college that participates in the TEACH grant program. Student must also have at least a 3.25 GPA and sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in a High-Need Field. (ie. Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Reading Specialist, Science, Special Education . . .)
For more information on the TEACH Grant Program you must contact the financial aid office at the college where you will be enrolled.
These are but a few examples of what you can find. Do your research and you will find many possibilities for financial help. Good luck!
