Most college students will not qualify for need-based college grants.  That means saving for college is one of the most important thing parents can do for their children.

But how much should parents be saving for their children’s college education?  Brett Wilder, Certified Financial Planner, and author of the book “The Quiet Millionaire: A Guide for Accumulating and Keeping Your Wealth” suggests the following advice:

1)   Open a 529 College Savings Plan while the child is still very young. It is a savings account.  Money put into the account can earn interest, dividends, and capital gains.  If the money that is taken out is used to pay for college, the earnings are not taxed.

2)   Look at what it will cost today to send your child to college. Then determine how many years it will be until the child enters college.  Once you’ve done that, try to figure out how much college will cost be the time the child has grown up and enters college.  Of course if you have more than one child, you’ll have to calculate for each child separately based on how much time is left before attending college.

3)   The greatest amount of financial aid is going to come from the college itself.  If the college wants the student and the college has money, then the college will use that money to attract the student.  So make the colleges aware that the potential student is applying to other schools. It is good for the student to apply to several different schools. There is a chance that when the schools understand that the prospective student is considering several different colleges, the colleges may come up with financial incentives as a way of attracting that student (scholarships, lucrative financial aid packages, tuition discounts, etc).

Remember that college tuition rates are climbing faster than the rate of inflation.  Many experts suggest that the rate is roughly double the average rate of inflation.  Since the inflation rate is always in flux, it’s a good idea to check it once a year to perform a new estimation of how much money will be needed for your child’s college tuition and expenses.  That way you can continue to keep on track. For 2012 the inflation rate is around three percent annually.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) Nursing Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for its nursing scholarship program.  Applications will be accepted until 8 May 2012, 5 pm EST.

This is a need-based nursing scholarship.  An applicant’s financial need is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is provided on the Student Aid Report (SAR) that is generated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Those with an EFC between $0 and $5,550 are considered to have the greatest financial need.  Those applying for this scholarship will want to understand the procedures of how to get a college grant.  It is also worth looking into other ideas to apply for nursing grants or nursing scholarships.

For questions relating to your HRSA application, please contact 1-800-221-9393 or e-mail GetHelp@hrsa.gov Monday through Friday 8 am to 8 pm EST.

The full pdf file on the rules and eligibility is available online.

The Nursing Scholarship Program (NSP) offers scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum commitment of two years, full-time or the part-time equivalent.  Participants will work at an eligible health care facility that faces a critical shortage of nurses.  The scholarships cover tuition payments, fees and other reasonable costs and include a monthly stipend of $1,289.  The stipend is considered taxable income.  For further details see your tax account regarding tax regulations for scholarship awards and stipends.

Eligibility Requirements of the HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program

To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:

(1) Be a U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident of the United States.

(2) Be enrolled or accepted to study for an accredited nursing degree program at one of the following in the United States and its territiories:

1. An Associate Degree School of Nursing
2. A Collegiate School of Nursing
3. A Diploma School of Nursing
4. Master’s of Nursing
5. Doctor’s of Nursing

(3) Begin the nursing program on or before September 30^th, 2012.

Priority will go to qualified applicants who are studying full-time for an undergraduate degree or master’s degree.  Second priority will be given to full-time students studying for a doctor’s of nursing degree, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists.  Tertiary priority will be given to part-time students.

In addition to the above, academic performance, essay questions, resume and recommendation letters will all factor in.

The scholarship is highly competitive.  In 2011, there were 2,922 applications received and only 395 initial awards were made.

How to Apply to the HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program

The online application and all supporting documents must be submitted to this web address by 5 pm EST on 8 May, 2012. It is recommended to submit all documents in pdf format to apply for the HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program.

Interest Rates of Stafford Loans are Set to Double

News agencies are reporting that the interest rate of the Federal Stafford Student loan is set to double.  When putting this into a historical perspective, the interest rate for the Stafford Loan would still be lower than it was 15 years ago.  The interest rates for the Federal Stafford Loan in 1997 were reported at 8%.  Since 2007, the rate has been 3.4% thanks to an extra federal subsidy.  On 1 July, 2012, that extra subsidy is set to expire and the rate for new Federal Stafford Loans is set to return to its pre-2007 rate of 6.8%.  For some students, that would make a difference of about $5,000 in extra interest payments over a 10-year repayment period.  For other students with smaller loans the impact would be in the range of $1,000 to $3,000 in extra interest payments.  Spread over a period of ten years, those with $5,000 in extra interest would be paying about an extra $41.67 a month after leaving college.

Cost of Subsidizing Student Loans

Critics of the subsidy say the extra $41.67 a month is not such a heavy burden for each student to bear after leaving college.  According to FinAig.org, an extension of the subsidy would cost U.S. taxpayers about $5.6 billion a year.  Thusly, critics contend that eliminating the subsidy will serve as an important cost-cutting measure during the present mindset of austerity in Congress.

Why Continue to Subsidize Student Loans?

Those who wish to renew the subsidy say that the unemployment rate is still too high among the under-25 population and going to college or vocational school seems the only viable option for them to gain skills to become competitive in the work force.  Hence, they feel the subsidies will have a long-term impact of helping the U.S. economy grow thanks to a better-educated, skilled population.

More than 130,000 students have petitioned Capitol Hill to renew the subsidy.  Whether the students succeed in keeping interest rates at 3.4% remains to be seen, as the issue is stuck in Congress.

So what is the solution if Congress does not grant the extension?  Students from the days of paying 8% for their student loans say the best answer is to keep a tight personal budget and maintain a lot of financial discipline after graduation in order to pay student loans off early and avoid years of extra interest.

It is important for students to keep an eye on their finances after leaving college.  With it harder to get a Pell Grant, more students are taking out the Stafford Loan and accumulating more debt.

If you’ve been wondering how to get a college grant, you’ve come to the right place. College grants are primarily issued by the federal government as well as by state governments.

The procedure for you to get a college grant is to apply first by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You may either print a hard copy or fill out the form online. For the online version you will have to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

What Information is Needed When Applying for a College Grant?

When applying for a college grant, you will need to have your tax returns and your parents’ tax returns available.  For this reason, you and your parents should file your tax returns as quickly as possible in order to have the information ready for completing the FAFSA form.

You’ll also need your social security number and driver’s license number.

Eligible non-U.S. citizens completing the FAFSA form will need their Alien Registration Number. Foreign students on F1 and F2 student visas or J1 and J2 exchange visitor visas, or G series visa holders are not eligible for federal student aid, but can still complete the FAFSA form as a pre-requisite to certain state or college aid that may be available.

What To Do If Encountering Difficulties Completing the FAFSA?

There is a phone number to call for assistance: 1-800-4-FED-AID. (1-800-433-3243).  There is also a website to visit: studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa if you encounter any problems completing the form.

What Kinds of College Grants and Scholarships Are Available from the Government?

The most basic college grant by the federal government is the Pell Grant.  There are also college grants issued by your local state.  In addition, students who are eligible for the Pell Grant may also be eligible for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

Students who are eligible for both the Pell Grant and the FSEOG may also be eligible for the Sallie Mae Unmet Need Scholarship.  The scholarship is designed to assist low-income students when the Pell Grant and the FSEOG are still not enough to cover the student’s tuition.  The Sallie Mae Unmet Need Scholarship pays $1,000 to $3,800 to eligible students.

Certain areas of study are eligible for additional help from the federal government.  There are college grants available for students in science and math, known as the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) Grants and SMART grants.  There are also TEACH Grants for education majors, and the Nursing Scholarship Program for nursing students.

In addition, most states issue college grants every year to help students pay for college in their home state.  Immediately after completing the FAFSA form, students will want to apply for college grants from their state of residence, too.

What Happens After Completing the FAFSA Form?

The government will calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) containing the EFC details.  The EFC will determine whether you are eligible to receive federal student aid.  Review your SAR to make sure all the information is correct and complete.   In addition to applying for college grants from your state, you should also speak with the financial aid offices of the college you will attend, because some colleges distribute additional financial aid to the students who demonstrate financial need.

How Much Money Will I Receive From My College Grant?

The college you will be attending will use your EFC to determine how much money you will receive. The cost of attending college minus your EFC equals the financial need. The maximum you can receive from the Pell Grant is $5,550. If you need further financial aid to pay for college, you should apply for the FSEOG.  The maximum for the FSEOG is $4,000.  If you still require additional money to pay for college, then apply for the Sallie Mae Unmet Need Scholarship, which has a maximum award of $3,800.  If there are unusual circumstances such as large medical bills or a drastic drop in income you should also consult your college’s financial offices.   Don’t forget to apply for any college grants and scholarships from your local state and from your college’s financial offices.  It is also a good idea to check with the department you are studying.  In addition, you may qualify for college scholarships from your parents’ employers, professional organizations, unions, faith-based organizations, and other sources.

How Do I Receive My College Grant Money?

Federal financial aid will be paid to you via the college you’re attending.  The college will first use the financial aid to pay against your tuition and fees. It can also be used against room and board if provided by the college. Any remaining money from your college grant is paid to you to be used for other education expenses.  Following these steps, you will always know how to get a college grant.

How to Transfer Credit From Community College to a 4-Year University?

Community college can be a great answer if you are only interested in earning an associate’s degree, but what if your intention is to transfer to a four-year college or university? How can you make sure your credits will transfer and you won’t have to spend extra money and time taking the same classes or similar classes over again? Even if you are only interested in an associate’s degree, it’s still a good idea to make sure what classes are compatible with your nearby four-year institution, just in case you change your mind later and end up wanting to study at a four-year college years after completing an associate’s degree. The good news is that community colleges and four-year public colleges and universities nearby are starting to cooperate more in recognition of the number of students who are transferring credits. That means it is becoming easier to avoid the pitfall of taking classes in community college that will not count toward a four-year degree.

What Kind of Housing is Available at a Community College?

A lot of community college students continue to live with their parents and commute to classes. That’s great if you like living with your parents and saving money. What if you prefer more independence and are looking forward to getting away from home? If this issue is important to you, look into the community college that interests you and try to get an understanding of whether there is a campus life, a college atmosphere, and student housing. If the community college lacks these features, you may be better off attending a four-year college or university instead.

What is the Value of an Associate’s Degree?

If you graduate from community college, you will earn a two-year degree, known as an associate’s degree. An associate’s degree is of great value for many fields that do not require bachelor’s degrees. Some vocations such as pastry chefs, hairdressers, welders, paralegals, travel agents, plumbers, and carpenters do not require four-year degrees. If you are mostly interested in fields such as these for your life-long career, then community college may be the best choice for you. Visit the career services center of your local community college to understand more about what kind of assistance you will receive after graduation to help you enter your new career upon graduation with an associate’s degree. Check with the departments and inquire about internship opportunities. You may even be offered the chance to speak with former students and learn about their experiences with the community college you are thinking of attending.

However, if you are interested in becoming a teacher, engineer, dentist, physician, attorney, certified public account, or architect you should seriously try to enroll directly in a four-year college or university right from the start.

If you are still undecided about what to study, community college can be a very good way to sample different academic disciplines with considerably less cost than a four-year college.

How Much Student Life is there at Community College?

Many community colleges are lacking in the student life that four-year colleges offer. Before making your decision to attend community college, visit the student services center. If the community college has a campus, learn about the events and opportunities that are offered outside of the classroom. What kinds of recreational facilities are available? If you were interested in joining a fraternity or sorority, it is also better to attend a four-year college or university. Most community colleges do not have sororities or fraternities. However, you may find other kinds of student groups and organizations to help create a social life while attending community college.

Some Thoughts If Still Not Sure Whether to Attend Community College or Four-Year College

If you are still not sure whether you should attend a four-year college or go to community college, why not apply to both and see if you can get accepted into the four-year college as well. Although the four-year college will cost more, you may be able to reduce the costs with the help of college grants. If you have a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) or better while in high school, there is also a chance of finding scholarships to help pay for college. If you have high grades and test scores, you will probably be able to earn several different kinds of scholarships to help with tuition, expenses, and books. If you’re still torn between attending community college and four-year college, choose a time of the academic year that is not hectic and visit both colleges. Make sure not to visit the campuses during the week just before class begins, during the first two weeks of the semester, or during finals week. Things are too hectic during those times. Wait until the middle of summer or a few weeks into the semester. That way you’ll find professors, counselors, and staff on hand to help answer your questions in order to help you make the decision that is right for you. That way you’ll be able to weigh all advantages and disadvantages of attending community college.

There are many benefits of going to community college.  Some of the advantages of community college include the following:

• Gaining a New Skill
• Furthering One’s Professional Knowledge
• Potential for a Wage Increase
• Options to Study Close to Home
• Availability of Coursework for Working Students
• Ability to Transfer Credits
• Typically a Lower Cost of Tuition
• Chances of Eligibility for an In-State College Grant
• Benefit from Lower In-State Tuition

Recent Improvements at Community Colleges and the New Emphasis on Higher Education

U.S. President Barack Obama stated, “Jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience”.   This is the reason President Obama is placing emphasis on the role of community colleges.

President Obama set the following two goals for 2020: 1) the United States will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world and 2) community colleges will produce an additional five million graduates.

According to research done by the White House, community colleges enroll more than six million students, with enrollment rising.  The advantages of community colleges are the following:

• Affordable Tuition
• Open Admission Policies
• Flexible Course Schedules
• Convenient Locations
• Coursework easy to fit in for older, working students

In addition, community colleges cooperate with the government, business and industry to help create training programs to fill in for areas in need of additional skilled workers, such as nursing, health information technology, advanced manufacturing, and “green jobs.”

Some of the goals to make educational services at community college more practical for modern-day students include:

• More Online Courses
• Career Planning
• Time Management
• Worksite Education Programs
• Ease of Transferring Credits between Institutions
• Partnerships among Institutions
• Remedial and Adult Education

With more Pell Grant funding available than in previous years, community college education is within reach of many new students.

What Can I Study at a Community College?

Many students are surprised by the range of coursework available at the community colleges near them.  Many community colleges offer associates degrees in accounting, health sciences, computer studies, media arts, foreign languages, art, music, nursing, and teacher education.  Some community colleges even include studies such as the culinary arts, cosmetology, air conditioning-heating-refrigeration, sign language, aviation dispatch, building and construction management, carpentry, criminal justice, dental hygiene, drafting technology, teaching English as a second language, paralegal studies, plumbing, radiologic technology, and welding.

In addition, there are often community college courses for continuing education students who wish to upgrade their skills or learn some new skills.

Community College as a Logical Choice for Undecided Students

Some students in United States are undecided when they first start college.  For undecided students, enrolling in a community college near home makes a lot of sense. You might be able to qualify for college grants to help pay for your community college studies.  Furthermore, since entry to community college is less competitive, community college scholarships are also less competitive.   You may be able to land a scholarship to help pay for community college as well.  Undecided students more than any other group should consider a community college as their first college experience, in order to take advantage of the lower tuition rates (roughly half the cost of in-state tuition at public universities and 10% of the cost of private universities) while sampling a variety of courses prior to deciding what course of study in which to major.

Another reason community college is advantageous is that a four-year degree requires “general education” units.  Some students have struggled through these required classes and even have had to take them twice before they can really focus on the classes that really interest them most.  Since tuition is lower at community college, that means retaking a class will not cost as much.

Further Advantages of Community College

Community colleges also have an open-door admissions policy.  So students do not have to worry about their high school grade point average (GPA) before starting community college.  That is good news for students looking to start from a clean slate and wanting to prove themselves.  Good study habits in community college will mean a higher GPA and could even mean a scholarship for students in their junior and senior year of studies.  Some students who have trouble learning by themselves have found that they receive the special attention they need to grasp the subject matter better, thanks to the environment of a community college.  Generally community colleges have few students per class so teachers can get to know you on a more personal level.  It’s easier to make appointments with the dean, counselors, teachers, library staff, etc.  The transition from high school to college sometimes shocks the students because of the academic rigors and loser structure.  A community college environment can be an easier transition for high school students by helping them build the study habits required for university studies.   Despite the advantages, community college may not be for everybody, however.  It is a good idea to consider the disadvantages of attending community college vs. a four-year college as well.   After considering the disadvantages, you can focus on the advantages of attending a community college rather than a large university, and decide what is the best fit for you.

After the United Kingdom, Italy is the top choice for U.S. students for study abroad (based on data gathered in 2005 and 2009.) If you were wondering how to pay for study abroad, click here. If you were interested in learning more about studying in Italy, read on.
Italy is a popular destination for several reasons. Possibly one of the top reasons for Italy’s popularity with study abroad students from the United States is the fact that so many U.S. universities have out-reach programs, with professors permanently based in Florence.
Classes are in English and students have the opportunity to learn about the Renaissance in the very city where events such as the Domenican monk Savonarola’s original “Bonfire of the Vanities” took place. Visits to galleries and museums such as the Bargello and the Uffizi help bring the Renaissance to life, offering university students from the United States a well-rounded humanities background.
Another popular reason college students from the United States flock to Italy every year is for the food and wine. Italy’s cuisine and wine are known throughout the world. Whether Italy taking a walk after dinner and enjoying a delicious gelato artigianale or sipping a fine wine such as the Brunello di Montalcino, Italy is a gastronomic delight.
Remember, the public drinking age in Italy is 16. Since students in the U.S. have to wait until they are 21 to drink alcohol in bars, a culture shock and cultural misunderstanding may take place. In Italy, waiting until being the legal age to drink and engaging in binge drinking is not common.  Italian parents often mix water with wine at home for their children. Most people in Italy drink in moderation. There is a culture of having an aperitivo before the meal, wine during the meal, and a digestivo after the meal.  So while drinking alcohol is a part of the Italian culture, the Italians frown on public drunkenness. Most Italians do not like to get drunk for fear of saying stupid things and acting silly which creates what is known as a brutta figura that can destroy one’s reputation.

How to Learn Basic Italian Before Study Abroad in Italy

Although many U.S. students attend study abroad courses in Italy in English, many students from the United States cannot resist the beauty of the Italian language and wish to make an effort to learn some Italian. The locals in Italy truly appreciate it when students from the U.S. make an effort to learn at least the basics of their language.

In the U.S., Italian is usually not taught in high schools like French and Spanish are. That makes it harder to learn some Italian before heading to Italy for a semester or two. Of course, many colleges offer Italian courses, but students may find it just doesn’t fit into their class schedules because of all courses that are “required” to compete a particular degree.
That means the best option may be to learn on your own with a guaranteed course such as the Surefire Italian Learning Package or Learning Italian Like Crazy. In either case, college students who want to study abroad in Italy can gain a foothold of the language.
Imagine how great it would feel to arrive in Italy for your study abroad, and be able to order a meal in Italian, chat with locals, and make friends with local Italians.
It would make your social and travel experiences in Italy more authentic and engaging, as you are able to understand the locals better, interact better with the locals, and return home with a better understand of Italy. College students who have already studied abroad in Italy agree that learning some Italian before spending an extensive period of time in Italy is a big plus to an enjoyable experience full of wonderful memories.

Learn Italian in Italy

If college students have the time to spend in Italy before their study abroad, there are also more possibilities for learning Italian.   This way students can become immersed in the language.  There are several programs for students from the United States to study in Italy. The Italian cities of Siena and Perugia, for example are the home of Italy’s two universities for foreigners. Programs such as Amerispan offer study programs to Italy by the week, often with a home-stay, which helps students learn faster thanks to the concept of immersion.
Whether you’re looking to learn basic Italian, study abroad in Italy, or learn more advanced Italian with an extended stay in Italy, you’ll find the program to suit your needs, so you will be speaking Italian better than you ever imagined.

The Jacobs K. Javits Fellowship Program

Issuing Body: The Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program from the U.S. Department of Education

Due Date: You must first submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.  Then apply for the Fellowship by the 31st of January, 2012. After you apply for the fellowship, The Javits Fellowship Program staff will be able to access your FAFSA information. There is not an option to submit the FAFSA forms to the Javits Fellowship Program.

Maximum Amount of Award: Maximum stipend in 2011 was $30,000 while the maximum institution payment was $13,755.

Eligibility Criteria: The fellowship is based on financial need and is primarily for Ph.D. students, unless a student is in a master’s degree program in which no Ph.D. degree exists. Eligible fields include the arts, humanities, less-commonly taught languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Korean, Indic languages, Iranian languages, and Turkic languages, and social sciences.

Further Information: The fellowship can not be awarded to past recipients, study outside the United States, or non-residents of the United States. It can also not be used for students of clinical psychology, social work, or those studying for a religious vocation.

See also: More information about art grants, fellowships and scholarships

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Issuing Body: NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program by the National Institutes of Health

Due Date: 1 February 2012

Maximum Amount of Award: $20,000 per academic year

Eligibility Criteria: The scholarship is based on financial need for undergraduate students in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. U.S. citizens and qualified non-citizens.

Further Information: The scholarship can be renewed for up to four years. For each full or partial year of using the scholarship, the recipient is committed to the following NIH obligations: (1) a 10-week Summer Laboratory Experience. The recipient will be assigned to an NIH researcher and an NIH post-doctoral fellow who will serve as mentors. (2) After graduation: one-year of employment at the NIH, for each year of scholarship received.

See also: Information about college grants and scholarships for social work.

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The AP-Google Journalism & Technology Scholarship

Issuing Bodies: The Associated Press and Google

Due Date: 27 January, 2012

Maximum Amount of Award: $20,000

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be U.S. citizens, be at least college sophomores at the time of application, and if returning to college must show a letter of acceptance from an accredited U.S. college or university.  A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is also required.   Finalists will be required to submit to an interview, either in person or using remote technology.

Further Information: For full details check the website for the The AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship

See also: Grants and scholarships for journalism students.

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The Mary E. Bivins Religious Scholarship Program

Issuing Body: The Bivins Foundation

Due Date: 30 January 2012

Maximum Amount of Award: $2,500 per semester for undergraduates and $3,500 per semester for graduates.

Eligibility Criteria: Priority is for students who will serve as pastors after graduation. Undergraduate students should be entering their junior or senior year of study.

Further Information: If you have questions or need further information, please contact Linda Inks, Scholarship Program Officer, at 806.379.9400 or email links@bivinsfoundation.org.

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Remember, when it comes to college scholarships, the application deadline is essential.  Foundations that award college scholarships do not make exceptions when it comes to scholarship deadlines.  See here to learn more about college grants and scholarships.  Eligible students do not want to miss out on their chance for one of these scholarships with a deadline in late January.

Many college scholarships, including the Purple Heart Scholarship, require an essay.  The Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship Program offers $3,000 to each recipient. Among other requirements, candidates must submit an essay of 200 to 300 words on ‘The Price of Freedom’

In 2011, 83 college students received the Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship (MOHP Scholarship).  The MOHP does not offer only scholarships for purple heart recipients.  MOHP scholarship awardees include recipients of the Purple Heart, as well as their children and grandchildren.

Remember, receiving a Purple Heart does not mean automatic membership into the Military Order of the Purple Heart, but it is easy to apply for membership at purpleheart.org.  After becoming a member, eligible students can apply for Purple Heart scholarships.

The deadline for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship is the 14^th of February.  You can find an application online at purpleheart.org.  The application must be submitted with the following requirements (1) your latest official transcripts, (2) your 200-300 word essay on ‘The Price of Freedom’, (3) two letters of recommendation, and a (4) non-refundable $15 processing fee.  The required materials must be into the Virginia office of the Military Order of the Purple Heart by 5 pm Eastern Standard Time.  Faxes and e-mails are not accepted.

In order to be awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship good grades and community service are helpful.  Volunteer work at a Veteran’s Administration facility or State Soldiers’ Home is recommended, for example.  When you volunteer at such facilities, get to know the staff members and administration personnel.  Make sure to keep a record of your volunteer hours, as you will need to attach a verification of your volunteer hours with your scholarship application.

How to Write an Essay to Win a Scholarship

Since the scholarship essay is such an important part of winning the Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship, it is a good idea to prepare an award-winning essay in advance.  Several sources exist to help students.  “Money-Winning Scholarship Essays and Interviews” by Gen S. and Kelly Y. Tanabe is an example of a book that can help you prepare an award-winning essay.

Learn how to write an essay worthy to win a scholarship.

Included in the book are tips for how to find great scholarships, 30 sample essays that won scholarships, 12 sample essays that “bombed”, and a scholarship directory.

While the Military Order of the Purple Heart scholarship does not require an interview, many other scholarships do.  The book “Money-Winning Scholarship Essays and Interviews” will also help you prepare for interviews.  This can be useful not only to help you win other scholarships to help you pay for college, but also to help you find a job during college and after you graduate from college.

If you prefer to buy the book without the interview help, the Tanabes also have the book “How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay: 30 Essays That Won Over $3 Million in Scholarships“.  The same quality information is contained in this book, along with real-life sample essays that won scholarship money as well as the unsuccessful essays.

Just imagine, with either of these books you could find your essay skills soaring beyond those of the people competing against you for a scholarship.  That means you could find yourself with more college scholarship money to help you pay for college.  To get a head start and prepare your essay skills to win college scholarships, click either the image or link above and order the book that suits your needs.  The important thing is that you start now, so you’ll be able to fine-tune your scholarship essay skills today.  These books guide you on how to write winning essays, the content of the essays is up to you.

When it comes to applying for scholarships, it is a good idea to plan far in advance by learning about as many scholarship opportunities as you can.  Any time you come across college scholarships for which you are eligible, do not hesitate to apply.  Some students find they are able to win a large number of small scholarships rather than a full-ride scholarship.  Either way, it helps pay for college.  For those eligible for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Scholarship, focus on community service, good grades and a well-composed essay on ‘The Price of Freedom“.

The time to apply for college grants for undergraduate students can happen any time of the year, but especially in January.  If you have been wondering how to pay for college, keep reading, because college grants are a great way for you to find help to pay for college.  Free money for students is given out every year, by federal financial aid and state governments.  In addition, you can sometimes apply for college grants, but especially college scholarships, directly from the colleges themselves.  So how do you make sure you can get some of that free money to help you pay for college?  Since January 1^st is just around the corner, now is the time to prepare.

What Is My First Step When Applying For College Grants?

Just after January 1^st comes around, start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.

We recommend you apply for FAFSA in early January because the amount of money the U.S. government allots to federal financial student aid is limited every year.  The forms for the 2012-2013 academic year will be available starting January 2^nd, 2012.

Once you’ve completed the FAFSA forms, apply for the Pell Grant.  Then apply for student grants on the state level.  If you are eligible for the Pell Grant, make sure to apply for the Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

What Is The Best Way To Prepare to Win a Scholarship To Pay For College?

After you apply for college grants, look into applying for scholarships as a way to help pay for college, too.  Your high school counselor should be able to get you started in the right direction in your search to apply for college scholarships.

Unlike most college grants, many scholarships will require you to write an essay and answer interview questions.  Don’t just rely on good grades and high SAT or ACT scores to help you get a college scholarship. Because outstanding, well-written essays and coherent, impressive interviews are an important part of how to receive a college scholarship, we recommend some advance preparation.

Learn how to write an essay worthy to win a scholarship.

In the book Money-Winning Scholarship Essays and Interviews Gen S. Tanabe and Kelly Tanabe have compiled 30 actual winning scholarship essays.  They offer a gamut of strategies to help students learn how to win a scholarship to help pay for college.   The book is considered an indispensable resource when it comes to how to apply for a college scholarship.  It even includes interviews with the judges who issue college scholarships.

Do All Scholarships Require An Interview?

Not all scholarships require an interview. The most important ones, such as four-year scholarships issued by the colleges themselves generally require an interview. The authors of the book “Money-Winning Scholarship Essays and Interviews” have also created a simple $1,000 annual scholarship. It’s good for all students from high school through to graduate school. The deadline is the 31st of December. The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship requires candidates to apply online and write an essay of 250 words or less.

How Can I Prepare For The College Scholarship Interview?

To help prepare for the college scholarship interview, Debbie Steel, Jenny Barron, and Patricia McBride have created a collection called the Succeed at Interviews Support Pack: How to Prepare for and Succeed at Job or College Interviews

The DVD is broken into four modules:

Learn how to succeed at the college scholarship interview.

(1) interview preparation,

(2) practical considerations of the interview

(3) types of interview questions and how to answer them

(4) how to review your performance at an interview.

High school students preparing to enter college will find the “Succeed at Interviews Support Pack” helpful because young people discuss their real-life experiences with interviews to help others understand what to do and what not to do.   The DVD even covers topics such as body language, dealing with nervousness, and how to answer awkward questions.

During the scholarship interview, make sure to listen carefully to the questions the panel asks you.  Before responding to the question, make sure to think through your response so it has a logical introduction, body, and conclusion.

How Do I Improve My Chances Of Getting A Grant Or Scholarship?

Overall, applying for college grants early by starting with the FAFSA form in January will help eligible students pay for college.  The FAFSA application is only the first step to receiving a Pell Grant and other college grants such as state-issued grants, and grants for specialized fields, such as chemistry, engineering, math, nursing, and teaching.

Once you have applied for all the appropriate grants, it is important to be constantly on the lookout for scholarship opportunities.  Knowing what scholarship opportunities are out there and preparing for them with strong essay and interview skills will increase your chances of learning how to win a college scholarship.  With the help of our college grants website, you can keep up to date with when to apply for college grants and find yourself with a free college education.