6 Sources of Free Money for Continuing Education
Available Grant and Scholarship Money to Fund Adult Education
Mar 13, 2009
Continuing education is essential for adults who want or need to update their job skills and career knowledge base. With state of the economy today, many adults are seeking new jobs or transferring to a more stable career field. To facilitate this transfer they need to complete college courses, continuing education credits, or earn additional certifications to provide more marketable job skills.
Often people immediately dismiss continuing education as option because of the cost. True, during tough economic times money is tight. However, there is abundant free money for most people and the benefits of continuing education are great. The economic stimulus package, signed by the president in February 2009, provides stimulus money for education. This may increase the amount of money available for grants and scholarships for adults.
Not all grants are based on financial need and scholarships are awarded for large variety of reasons. For example scholarships are often awarded for enrolling in a specific degree program, ethnic orientation, and artistic ability.
The following are sources of free money for continuing education.
Federal Grants
Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants are available through the federal government. The money eligible adults receive from these two grants range from a hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. You cannot apply for the grants directly to the federal government. You must apply through your college or school of choice and they will forward it to the federal government. The earlier you apply through a school, the more likely you are to receive a federal grant. Additional information is avialable at Federal Student Financial Aid.
State Grants
Most states provide grants to residents. Some of these grants are based on financial need, others are based ethic orientation, and for those enrolling in designated college programs such as technical fields. Some states even provide grants for adults desiring to continue their education. Unlike federal grants, application must be made directly to a state’s commission on higher education.
College Grants
Many traditional online colleges, universities, and technical schools provide students with grant money for tuition not funded by other sources. Many schools offer these grants to minorities, low economic background students, and older students returning to school for continuing education. Not only do adults benefit from these grants, schools benefit financially for enrolling these students. This in turn enables the school to provide additional grant money for adults returning to school.
Corporate Scholarships
Corporate scholarships are targeted for adults from underprivileged backgrounds, outstanding scholarship, community involvement, or enrollment in specific programs such as nursing. Although corporate scholarships have deep scholarship money pockets, the competition is steep. Applying to these scholarships must be early, along with accurate applications.
Tuition Reimbursement
This is money that many employers provide to their employees for completing continuing education courses targeted to meet an employer’s needs. Many of these employers give preference to employees who enroll in online degree programs. The employers know that this option leads to little impact on work place requirements. Employers have specific requirements to obtain tuition reimbursement and a visit to the human resources office will provide details.
Private Grants
These grants offered through charities, religious organizations, community associations, fraternal orders, unions, and other organizations. For example the U.S. Navy Relief Society provides grants for active and retired members, along with their families for continuing education programs.
Making Connections
The opportunities for grants and scholarships are unlimited for adults desiring to continue their education to meet career needs. All grants and scholarships have specific deadlines and requirements, searching early and often increase your chances of receiving free money for continuing education.
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