You can save a lot of money by choosing to attend a community college rather than a four-year university. Additionally, you can save even more money by receiving full or partial scholarships to cover your tuition. Here is a look at the different types of scholarships that are available for community colleges.
- Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships refer to merit grants, and they’re one of the most difficult types of scholarships to obtain. To qualify for an academic scholarship, you will have to have a flawless grade point average (GPA). The majority of these scholarships require you to have at least a 4.0 GPA to receive funding. Due to the steep requirements, academic scholarships often have the highest payout. - Average Academic Performance Scholarships
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, getting and keeping a 4.0 is impossible. But don’t worry, there are still several other scholarships available for those who have a great GPA but don’t have a perfect 4.0. These are called average academic performance scholarships. Most of these scholarships will require you to retain a 3.5 GPA, although some go as low as 3.0. - Scholarships for Minorities
If you are a minority, there are several excellent funding opportunities for which you can apply. Some of these simply require you to be a minority of any ethnic background, but there are some that are for Native Americans, African Americans, and many others. Only having one parent that is a minority won't disqualify you from these types of grants. - Scholarships for Women
While women are more likely to go to college, some fields have far fewer women than men. Women may have issues paying for tuition and because of this, there are scholarships that specialize in helping women receive a higher education. Some of these grants focus on helping women obtain a degree in a field where women are less likely to pursue, such as science professions. - Creative Scholarships
If you’re an artist or love creativity, you can use this skill to get funding for college. Several grants help you get a degree in what you love whether it be painting, sculpting, or writing. Many of them are through private companies and involve a contest. Some examples of contests include dance auditions, writing a poem or short story, and painting with various types of media. - Miscellaneous Scholarships
Some scholarships don't fit in any category. One example is the popular competition of designing a prom dress out of duct tape. This scholarship contest even spurred a theme for many proms all over the United States. Another example is using the time you spend doing community service. There is even a government grant to help pay for college through community service called the Federal Work Study program.
How to Find Scholarships
Several websites specialize in getting grants to those who need them most. FastWeb, Scholarships, and Cappex are three fantastic websites that help you find whatever type of grant you need.
A second way to obtain funding is by contacting your state’s Department of Higher Education. This department helps you find funds that are offered by the government. One such grant is Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, which can get you up to $5,500 per year. The final option is speaking to your college’s financial aid department. This office will be able to help you find funds through multiple venues.
