The Iowa College Student Aid Commission governs financial aid in Iowa and it administers the state’s grants, scholarships, work-study, and loan programs. Individuals who are seeking assistance from Iowa state grants and other financial aid are required to complete the required Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms and Iowa Financial Aid Application by the necessary deadlines. Available Iowa state grant programs include…

Iowa Grant

Grant program intended to assist undergraduate students planning to attend postsecondary institutions in Iowa. Students who demonstrate the largest financial need are granted priority. The maximum award amount is $1,000 every year for up to four years of full-time undergraduate enrollment. The award is adjusted for students enrolled less than full-time.

Iowa Tuition Grant

Awards granted to undergraduate students enrolled at an eligible private college or university. Students must be residents of Iowa and priority is granted to individuals with the largest financial need. The maximum award amount is $4,000 and the award amount for a specific academic year will depend on funding availability and the amount of recipients. Recipients are eligible to receive the award for up to four years of full-time undergraduate education. Additionally, students enrolled part-time may be granted adjusted awards.

All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship

A state-funded scholarship program for students who excel in high school and demonstrate a great financial need. Qualifications include resident of Iowa, enrollment in college-level classes within two years of completion of high school, minimum 2.5 GPA, and enrollment is a minimum of three semester hours in a degree program. Priority is given to students who graduated from alternative high schools.

Recipients are able to receive the award for one year and scholarships may be renewed for a second year if a recipient is attending a community college in Iowa. Recipients must re-apply, meet eligibility requirements during the second year of study, and meet the academic progress standards established by the college. The maximum award amount is $7,806.

Iowa Vocational Technical Tuition Grant

Grant program intended for students enrolled in vocational-technical or career programs at community colleges in Iowa. Students must be residents of Iowa, enrolled at a community college in Iowa, and enrolled in a minimum of three credit hours in a qualified educational program for a period of at least 12 weeks. The maximum award amount is $1,200 per year for up to two years of full-time higher education. Students enrolled on a part-time basis may be eligible for adjusted award amounts.

Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grants

Grant program for students who are members of the Iowa National Guard and attend eligible colleges and universities in Iowa. Eligibility requirements include a resident of Iowa, member of the Iowa Air or Army National Guard division, satisfactory completion of the necessary guard training, acceptable performance of guard duties, and enrollment and satisfactory academic progress in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible Iowa postsecondary institution. The award amount cannot exceed the average resident tuition rate at regent universities in Iowa and the typical maximum award amount is $5,775.

[contentblock id=1]

Robert D. Blue Scholarship

Scholarship program named after a former governor of Iowa. Awards are granted to students in Iowa who demonstrate outstanding academic and literary skills and demonstrates a moral character. Applicants for this award program can be current seniors in high school or individuals already enrolled at a Iowa institution for higher learning. Applicants must be Iowa residents and attend or plan to attend a college or university in Iowa. The evaluation criteria include financial need, high school GPA, reference letters, and written essay. The award amounts range from $500 to $1,000.

All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant

Program established to assist students from the Iowa foster care system, state training schools, or adoption after turning 16 years old. The qualifications include a resident of Iowa, under the age of 18 and currently living in a licensed Iowa foster care, living with a relative or suitable individual under court order, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and was in one the living situations described above. Grant amounts vary between $2,210 and $7,670 per year.

Education & Training Voucher Grant

Program for students between 16 and 23 years of age who came out of Iowa’s foster care system or Subsidized Guardianship program or students who were adopted after 16 years of age. Eligibility includes a student is under 18 years of age and currently in a licensed foster care and will remain until within 30 days of 18th birthday; under 18 and currently required by Juvenile Court to live with a relative or suitable individual and will remain until within 30 days of 18th birthday; currently between the age of 18 and 21 and was previously in a living situation described until 18 years of age; and student will be under the age of 21 on the day of starting higher education. The maximum award is $5,000 per year.

Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship

Scholarship program that recognizes excellent seniors of Iowa high schools who have actively taken part in the Iowa State Fair. Students must be a graduating senior from an Iowa high school, plan to enroll at a college or university in Iowa, and previously or current been active participants in the Iowa State Fair. Awards are granted for only the first year of college. The program grants up to four scholarships a year that range from $500 to $1,000.

Iowa Barber & Cosmetology Arts and Sciences Tuition Grant

Grant awarded to individuals enrolled at an eligible barber or cosmetology school in Iowa. Priority is awarded to students with the most financial need. The maximum award amount is $1,200 per year.

For more information on Iowa state grants and other financial aid, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (www.iowacollegeaid.gov) provides a wealth of valuable information. Students must take note that any state funding is required for use toward education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, room and board, and transportation.

The Kansas Board of Regents is the governing authority of the state of Kansas’ public institutions of higher learning and it administers the state’s student financial aid.

To qualify for any Kansas state grants or additional financial aid, students are required to complete the necessary Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms by the designated deadlines (details on how to complete and submit this form online can be found here!).

Available Kansas state grant programs include…

Kansas Comprehensive Grant

Funded by the state of Kansas and offered to full-time undergraduate students who have an extreme financial disadvantage. Qualified applicants must have lived in Kansas for a minimum of one year prior to attending an institution of higher learning. Recipients must enroll in a Kansas state university, private college or university, or Washburn University.

The amount of the award varies depending on the type of postsecondary school. Students enrolled at private schools receive between $200 and $3,500 and between $100 and $1,500 at public schools.

Kansas State Scholarship

A need-based scholarship program intended for individuals who were elected scholars by the Kansas Board of Regents based on high school GPA, ACT score, and completion of the Kansas Scholars Curriculum. Students must be full-time undergraduates who have graduated from a Kansas high school or completed a home schooling program in Kansas. The program awards up to $1,000 every year and individuals may receive the scholarship for up to eight semesters.

Vocational Educational Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship program granted to eligible full-time students enrolled in an approved two-year vocational program. Qualification requirements include receiving a high score on a vocational examination. The award amount is $500 to applicants with the highest scores and the program grants about 250 scholarships a year.

Kansas Distinguished Scholars Program

Program intended as an incentive to keep talented individuals studying, working, and living in the state of Kansas. The program is offered to graduate students and offers tuition reimbursement for students who have been deemed scholars. To receive the award, individuals must be Kansas residents and continue graduate programs at a Kansas institution of higher learning.

Kansas Ethic Minority Scholarship

Scholarship offered to minority students of African American, Native Alaskan, Native American, Hispanic, or Asian descent who are in financial need. Qualifications include above average GPA and ACT scores and documentation of participation in a scholars curriculum approved by regents. Undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time who demonstrate financial need and the stated qualifications may receive up to $1,850 per academic school year and the award may be received up to eight semesters.

Kansas Military Service Scholarship

Offers payment of tuition and fees at a public school in Kansas for undergraduate students who are Kansas residents who served in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan or international waters in support of military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan for a minimum of 90 days after September 11, 2001 or served less than 90 days due to injuries received during the service. Individuals must also be still in the military or received an honorable discharge and provide documentation that after September 11, 2001, military service was provided in Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, or Nobel Eagle military operations.

[contentblock id=1]

Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance

Program that provides up to 100% of tuition and fees for students who are members of a Kansas Air or Army National Guard division.

James B. Pearson Fellowship

Program offered to graduate students seeking to travel or study abroad. Qualifications include residents of Kansas and current enrollment in a state college or university. Awards vary, but may be up to $2,200.

Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship

A merit-based incentive program to promote qualified students to pursue a career in teaching. Available to both undergraduate and graduate students who have participated in a rigorous education program and maintain an outstanding GPA. Awards vary, but students may receive up to $5,000 per academic school year until the completion of a teaching certification. Recipients of the scholarship must agree to teach in a Kansas public school after graduation. Most individuals must also be willing to teach a certain subject or in an underserved region of the state.

Special Education Teachers Service Scholarship

Program created due to the shortage of special education teachers in Kansas. Offers a tuition incentive to working teachers who have earned a bachelor’s degree and seeking to pursue special education degree programs. Qualified individuals must agree to work as special education teachers in the Kansas public school system for a designated amount of time.

Kansas Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship

Intended to decrease the shortage of specialized medical professionals particularly in rural and underserved areas of Kansas. Qualified recipients are expected to practice professionally in certain areas of Kansas for one year for every year of assistance after completion of their educational program. Recipients are awarded up to $15,000 every year for four years.

Kansas Optometry Service Scholarship

Intended to promote optometrists to practice in Kansas. The program assists in paying the difference between resident and nonresident tuition costs at eligible out-of-state postsecondary schools. Recipients must agree to practice for one year of every year of tuition assistance.

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

A scholarship program based on need and granted to undergraduate junior or senior students pursuing nursing degree programs at the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) levels.

Students must be Kansas residents and obtain obligation from a sponsoring medical facility that agrees to pay half of the scholarship and grant full-time employment after the recipient obtains his or her nursing licensure.

Recipients must agree to work for one year for every year the award was granted at a sponsoring medical facility. The program grants up to $2,500 per year for LPN students and up to $3,500 per year for RN students.

Individuals must understand that any state funding received must be used for college-related expenses at a Kansas institution of higher learning including tuition, fees, books, lodging, and transportation. For those who wish to obtain further information regarding Kansas state school grants and other financial aid options, the Kansas Board of Regents (kansasregents.org) provides an array of help information.

Kentucky state school grants are available through The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), which has three grant programs to help residents of Kentucky further their education:

1. College Access Program (CAP) Grant
2. Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)
3. Go Higher Grant

College Access Program (CAP) Grant

The College Access Program (CAP) Grant provides the broadest coverage for tuition assistance, as far as the types of institutions at which the grant can be used.

The CAP can be used at any public or private post-secondary institution, as long as the student is enrolled in associate’s or bachelor’s degree program that will take at least two years to complete.

Part time and full time students are eligible, as long as they meet other requirements. CAP is designed to help economically disadvantaged students. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) toward the student’s total educational expenses cannot be more than $5,273.

The EFC or “Expected Family Contribution” is determined using the information submitted in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, or FAFSA. Submitting the FAFSA should be every student’s first step in the attempt to secure funding for school, college, and university.

The annual award for 2011-2012 is $1,900. Students enrolled in an associate’s degree program can receive a total of 250% of the annual award. Those enrolled in a bachelor’s program may receive as much as 450% of the annual award during their college career.

Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)

The purpose of the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) is to help students afford the cost of higher tuition at independent colleges and universities in Kentucky. It is a needs-based program. The participating institution must be accredited through a regional accrediting agency, and the instruction a student receives must not be only religious instruction. The amounts of the awards vary from $200 to $2,964 for the 2011-2012 academic year.

[contentblock id=1]

Students must be enrolled full time in an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree program. Those enrolled in associate’s degree programs can receive a maximum of 250% of the annual award, and those enrolled in bachelor’s programs can receive a maximum of 450% of the award.

To be eligible, recipients must not have any outstanding or delinquent financial obligations to the KHEAA or any Title IV programs. The KTG may not be used for correspondence courses or courses offered over the Internet.

Kentucky’s Go Higher Grant Program

The Go Higher Grant program is designed to help working adults get better jobs. To qualify, the applicant must be at least 24 years old and not have a bachelor’s degree. The grant is meant to help those who take classes part time while they work full time. A student must be less that half-time enrollees in an accredited college or university.

The program awards $50 per credit hour for as much as $1,000. The grant is available for one academic year only. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Students or potential students who are interested in any of these Kentucky State Grants must first complete a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). They must also be citizens of the United States and be full time residents of Kentucky.

More information on these grant programs is available at http://www.kheaa.com/website/kheaa/kygrants?main=1

Residents can take advantage of the many different Idaho state grants and scholarships available for school and college.

Applicants generally must be state residents and demonstrate either financial need or future academic potential.

Some of the best scholarship programs are offered through the Idaho Community Foundation and the Idaho State Board of Education.

GEAR UP Idaho Scholarship

Awarded every year in April and May, this scholarship is intended for students who were participants in the GEAR UP program during their high school years. Applicants can be no older than 22 and should have a high school diploma or GED.

The program also requires students to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form prior to applying.

Students are judged off of their participation in the GEAR UP program and their financial need.

The scholarship will pay up to the amount of the current year’s Pell Grant. In addition to public schools, many regionally accredited universities in Idaho qualify as well.

Students must maintain their full-time enrollment in order to renew their scholarship award for four years.

Scholarship applications can be accessed at the Idaho State Board of Education website: http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/.

Freedom Scholarship

Students who have had a parent who was killed in action, missing in action, a prisoner of war or died of war-time injuries are eligible for the Freedom Scholarship.

It offers applicants a fee waiver and an additional $500 each semester for books and living expenses.

To be eligible, the parents of the students must have been Idaho residents and be accepted into a public school within Idaho state. Overall, the award will cover no more than four school years.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

This grant program is open to any United States resident who demonstrates financial need.

They must have already applied for the FAFSA and have completed a rigorous high school curriculum. Overall, the school grant will cover up to $750 of the student’s expenses in their first year and up to $1,300 in their second year.

This program is offered along with the Federal Pell Grant as a way to help talented students achieve their potential.

Each student must be enrolled for at least six semester hours and maintain a 3.0 GPA during their first year of study.

Education Incentive Loan Forgiveness Program

Targeting Idaho’s high school students, this program is intended for future teachers and nurses.

Loans given out by the program pay for the student’s schooling in return for the student’s agreement to stay within Idaho and work for two years in their career field.

The Education Incentive Program requires students to be enrolled at a college or university in Idaho and be in pursuit of a degree in teaching or nursing.

They must be in the top 15% of their class and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher for their first two semesters.

To be eligible, students should have attended a high school in Idaho or be an Idaho student.

Additionally, applicants should apply no later than two years after their high school graduation.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP)

Sponsored by the state of Idaho, this program is intended to bring academically successful, bright students from across the nation into the state.

Students can be residents of any state to qualify for the maximum of $5,000 in award money.

Application deadlines for the LEAP program is at the end of April of each year.

Successful applicants must be United States citizens and attending an Idaho college at least part-time. They also cannot be in default on any of their student loans.

Supplemental Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (SLEAP)

This is another one of Idaho state grants that is targeted at out-of-state students.

The SLEAP grant program was created to provide additional money to LEAP award winners who still did not have enough aid to cover the cost of school.

Like the LEAP program, SLEAP requires that students are from out-of-state and be currently attending a university or college in Idaho.

The Idaho Community Foundation

With over 60 different scholarships available, the Idaho Community Foundation is one of the top sources of Idaho state grants available.

Students can apply through their program for numerous grants like the Barbara L. Carnefix Memorial Scholarship or the Jim Poore memorial Scholarship.

Most of the scholarships offered on their website at http://www.idcomfdn.org are only available to Idaho residents.

Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program

Students from Idaho who are attending a postgraduate program in engineering may apply for this scholarship.

Students must be female and be entering the first year of their program.

The Society of Women Engineers gives out awards of $2,000 to women in the area who are studying engineering.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Students who plan on pursuing a career in education can apply for the TEACH grant.

Counseling must be undergone before and during the student’s years at school.

Full-time undergraduate students may receive up to $4,000 a year in grants while graduate students may obtain a maximum of $8,000.

After students have completed their course of study, they must be willing to teach low-income students in the state for a minimum of four years.

Additionally, applicants should have a minimum of a 3.25 GPA and complete all of the TEACH grant’s counseling sessions.

The program is only open to United States citizens or eligible non-citizens.

Resources for Idaho State Grants and Scholarships

Idaho State Department of Education

http://www.sde.idaho.gov/

Idaho State Board of Education

http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/

The Idaho Community Foundation

http://www.idcomfdn.org

In the state of Louisiana, students have a variety of options of educational school and college grants. For need-based grants, students should plan on submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before they try to obtain state aid. Once grants have been received, the state will pay the funds directly into the student’s school account.

Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

The TOPS program offers four different opportunities for students to receive college fund. The opportunity award is specifically intended for students who maintained at least a 2.5 GPA in high school and received at least the minimum state average score on their SAT. They must be first time freshmen and be a Louisiana state resident. Overall, the TOPS Opportunity Award covers the full cost of tuition at a Louisiana public school and also provides funds for additional fees.

TOPS Performance Award

To receive the TOPS Performance Award, students must go to college within one of the schools in the Louisiana Association Independent Colleges and Universities. They should plan on having at least a 3.0 GPA and receive a 23 or higher on their ACT. This award is attended for first time freshmen and pays for tuition, fees and an additional stipend of $400. Students who maintain their grades can renew their scholarship for the following three years of college.

TOPS Honors Award

The next step up for TOPS awards is the TOPS Honors Award. Like the TOPS Performance Award, Louisiana state students should plan on obtaining a 3.0 high school GPA. In addition, they must also receive at least a 27 on their ACT. The TOPS Honors Award covers tuition, fees and an additional $800 stipend each year. Students in this program must be a Louisiana resident for reasons other than school.

TOPS Tech Award

Students who are planning on attending an occupational training program at a qualified Louisiana school can apply for this award program. It pays out the equivalent amount for tuition and fees as other baccalaureate programs in the area would charge.

Students must have a minimum of 17 tech core units in high school, a 2.5 GPA and at least a 17 on their ACT. Students who apply for one of the TOPS Louisiana state grants should seek to maintain their GPA throughout college to renew their award annually.

High school students can get a head start using the TOPS Tech Early Start program. This allows juniors and seniors to enroll in a maximum of six credit hours at a local college or vocational school. Ideally, students will be seeking some type of technical certification. Over the course of the year, high school students who have at least a 2.0 GPA can obtain up to $600 in grant money to pursue their education.

To be eligible, the Early Start applicants must fill out an Education and Career plan with their school that spans five years.

[contentblock id=1]

Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has set up the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship for students attending a public college or university. Successful applicants must be majoring in marine science, forestry or wildlife studies. To be considered, students should have a 2.5 GPA. Each year, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hands out scholarships valued at $2,000 a year for undergraduate students and $3,000 for graduate students. As long as the student maintains their academic standing, they may renew the scholarship for a maximum of four years. The awards program is open to any undergraduate or graduate in the specified majors.

Chafee ETV Program

Louisiana residents who grew up in the foster care system can receive this grant to help pay for the cost of school. They must have been members of the foster care system and be no older than the age of 23. Each year, the award provides up to $5,000 in funding per student. Prior to be accepted, students must complete their FAFSA and prove financial need. In addition, students must be Louisiana state residents to apply.

Louisiana Go Grant

For students who exhibit financial need, the state has set up specific Louisiana state school grants. The Go Grant is given to low or moderate income households and students who are 25 or older. To begin the application process, students need to apply for the FAFSA. After the Pell Grant and expected family contributed are subtracted from the cost of school, students must have an amount greater than zero remaining. Each year, eligible students may receive a maximum of $2,000. Typically, students who receive the Go Grant are also recipients of the federal Pell Grant. Over the course of their college career, no more than $10,000 total can be awarded. As the student seeks to renew their grant, they must continue to exhibit financial need and progress in their scholastic studies.

Louisiana Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP)

Students who are planning on attending a state college or university are eligible for this grant program. They must be Louisiana state and United States residents and be enrolled in a full-time course load. Each year, students who show signs of financial need receive anywhere from $200 to $2,000.

To become eligible, students must have a high school grade point average higher than a 2.0 or have received a minimum of a 45 on their GED. Students are ineligible if they have ever defaulted on a student loan or have received a criminal conviction.

The LEAP grant program allows students to renew it throughout college as long as they continue to demonstrate financial need and the minimum GPA requirement.

Online Resources for Louisiana College and School Grants

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

http://www.osfa.la.gov/

Louisiana State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Rockefeller Scholarship

http://www.osfa.la.gov/rock.htm

Students who are about to embark on their college careers have numerous Maine state school and college grants of which they can take advantage. Different groups like the Finance Authority of Maine or the Maine Department of Education have listings for Maine state grants. Depending on the student’s academic history, leadership skills and future academic program, different opportunities are available to assist them financially.

State of Maine Grant Program

The main Maine state grants are operated through and by the state. Each student should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for such programs. Once the FAFSA application is received, students will automatically be considered.

To be eligible, students cannot have an Expected Family Contribution that is higher than the maximum. Once they receive the grant, the students must continue to be enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate program. Currently, the annual award amount ranges between $250 and $1,250. To become eligible for a state of Maine grant, and to learn how to submit the FAFSA submission form online, click here!

Tuition Waivers

Children of firefighters, police or emergency medical responders who died in the line of duty can receive a tuition waiver. Additionally, students who were in the foster care program at their graduation can obtain a waiver. This waiver covers all or part of the cost of education at any post-secondary school in Maine that participates in the program.

A Leigh Phillips Scholarship

For this scholarship, disabled students will receive $700 after the completion of their first semester of school. Successful applicants often exhibit a history of academic success, leadership and community involvement. Run by the Maine Department of Education, this scholarship is due at the end of March each year. Winners will be notified three weeks after the application deadline. For more information or an application, check out www.madsec.org.

Captain Robert E. Wallingford Scholarship Fund

For criminal justice and fire science, this scholarship can pay up to $500 toward the cost of school. It is awarded based off of interest in the field and is only given out to full-time students at the Southern Maine Community College of South Portland. Applications must be postmarked by April 15 and sent to:

Michael A. Murphy
12 Jordan Avenue
South Portland, Maine 04106

[contentblock id=1]

Maine Community Foundation’s Scholarship Program

Open to current high school, college and postgraduate students, the Maine Community Foundation offers over 400 different forms of grants and scholarships. Last year, the organization gave out $16 million to students across the state. Each scholarship is separated into the different counties to facilitate the application process. Although deadlines vary for each award, the deadlines are generally from March to July. The application can be found at www.mainecf.org.

McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation provides teacher development grants for K-12 teachers. Teachers are offered the chance to learn new strategies and ways to teach critical analysis. After the training is complete, teachers can write about their projects and share them with their peers. The development grant covers a maximum of $10,000 distributed over three years. To be eligible, teachers must apply at http://www.mccartheydressman.org/teacher.html by April 15.

Maine Veterinary Loan Program

Maine residents who have already received their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine can have their loans forgiven provided they work for three years in Maine. Students must already be Maine residents for two years prior to starting school and must practice on livestock in areas that lack veterinary services.

Educators for Maine

This competitive and merit based program is designed for future teachers or individuals with careers in child development. The Educators for Maine Program offers loan amounts of $3,000 a year or $12,000 for the entire degree. If the student goes on to work in an eligible program, the loan will be forgiven. As a part of the program, students must attain at least a 3.0 GPA and be Maine residents. If they do not go on to work in the field, they must repay the loan with interest.

John R. Justice Grant Program

Students who have already received a degree in law can take advantage of this school grant program. The John R. Justice grant is intended for state and federal public defenders and prosecutors who choose to be employed in the state for a minimum of three years.

As long as the individual is a state resident and remains at their place of employment, the John R. Justice Grant Program will provide loan repayment assistance.

Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship

Any student who has been a resident of Maine and is about to attend one of Maine’s medical schools may be eligible for this scholarship. Each medical school will handle the application process and deadline for the award individually. Students who have attended high school or college in Maine are given priority. Additionally, any student who has parents or guardians who are also Maine residents receive a priority application status.

The award provides either $25,000 a year or half of the cost of school—whichever is less. It can be renewed for up to four years as long as the student is currently enrolled full-time.

Online Resources for Maine State Grants

Maine Community Foundation Grant Programs
http://www.mainecf.org/

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
http://www.famemaine.com/index.aspx

Maine Department of Education
http://www.maine.gov/doe/

For the college bound youth, finding a way to pay for school can be stressful. Figuring out how to afford tuition makes even the arduous process of applying for college seem like an easy task. Maryland residents can make their tuition burden a little easier by applying for several Maryland State School Grants.

With requirements ranging from degree programs to GPAs, the state of Maryland offers school and college grants that suit everyone’s needs…

Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant

Students who have already filled out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form are automatically eligible for this need-based grant. They must be attending a Maryland college and be a full-time student. The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance grants covers anywhere from $400 to $3,000. Anyone who is currently in college or just leaving high school is eligible as long as they have completed their FAFSA.

Distinguished Scholars Program

Any student who has a 3.7 to 4.0 in the first five semesters of high school may apply for the Distinguished Scholars Program. Awarded to students who have a history of academic excellence, this scholarship totals $3,000. Each student who receives the award must be attending a two-or four-year college within the state of Maryland full-time. The number of scholarships given out each year varies depending on the funds. If there are not enough funds provided, students may be placed on a wait-list.

In 2012, state and national budget cuts led to many Maryland state grants not being funded. Among these, the Distinguished Scholars Program was listed. Once funding has been resumed, the program will begin providing tuition for the state’s top students again.

Guaranteed Access Grant

Any high school senior or recent high school student can apply for this grant. Students must not be more than a year out of high school and cannot have started college at the time of the application. They must be Maryland residents and demonstrate financial need.

Each recipient must go to either a two-year or a four-year Maryland College and cannot receive the Education Assistance Grant. Other grants can still be received without the applicant becoming ineligible. Prior to being awarded on of the Maryland state grants, an applicant must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in high school.

Over the course of the year, the Guaranteed Access Grant will pay out anywhere from $300 to $13,700.

[contentblock id=1]

Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program

The state of Maryland offers graduate grants in addition to undergraduate grants. In the Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program, students may receive $1,000 to $5,000. To be eligible, students must have filled out a FAFSA and told their school that they want to be considered for the program. In addition, they must attend one of the schools that are in the program. Students are awarded the scholarship based on the answers they provided on FAFSA and their projected financial need.

Montgomery College Institute Grant

Montgomery students who are currently attending Wooton or Gaithersburg High School are allowed to apply for the Montgomery College Institute Grant. The money from the award pays for academically successful juniors and seniors to attend college classes while they still pursue their high school degree.

Any credits that are earned can either be used as a part of a degree program at Montgomery College or transferred to another university.

As a part of an early-placement program, the Montgomery College Institute Grant seeks to help high school students get a head start on their post-secondary education.

After the financial needs form is filled out, students may be awarded as much as the entire cost of their tuition and textbooks. More information on this area specific scholarship can be found at www.montgomerycollege.edu.

Online Resources for Maryland State Grants for Schools and College

Maryland State Education Association

http://marylandeducators.org

Maryland Higher Education Commission

http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_ds.asp