Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and grants are gifts. Since these are not loans, you don't have to pay back the money. So it's well worth your time to look into these options.
Tip: Be cautious of Web sites that charge a fee to help you search for scholarships. By doing a little research on your own, you can find the same information.
Grants
Federal and state governments provide grants through your school. You need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for grants; a common one is financial need. Grant money is limited, so the earlier you submit your FAFSA application, the better your chance of receiving grant funds if you do meet the qualifications.
For more information about grants, see your school's financial aid office. The government also offers a resource. For Wisconsin, see: www.heab.wi.gov.
Scholarships
Many companies and organizations provide scholarships. Each has specified requirements to qualify. For instance, some scholarships are awarded based on attending a certain school, participating in a certain sport or activity, or majoring in a certain field. Similar to grants, scholarships are gift money that are not repaid. So it's worth your time to research these opportunities and apply.
Here are a few scholarship resources:
