If you are a female student and also as a minority, you already have two points in your favor when it comes to securing a college grant. Grants are usually based on financial need, as opposed to scholarships, which are based on merit. If you can prove with the correct documents that your financial situation is dire and additionally prove your passion to continue your education no matter the circumstances, you're well on the way to grant application success.
Funds for Female Students
Being a female student in itself will qualify you for many grant opportunities starting with government grants. Your home state has plenty of money reserved for educational grants, and the information they provide is a good place to begin your search. Check out the College Scholarships Web site, where grants are listed by state (see below). They may also be listed according to such factors as "first woman in the family to attend college" or "nontraditional female student." Some grants are also offered to students who are willing to commit to working for a state or federal employer in the state from which she graduates. Also, female-only colleges (or those with a large majority of female students) almost always offer grants for women in financial need.
Money for Minorities
The term "minority" most commonly refers to ethnic minority, so if you are of Hispanic, African American, Native American, Pacific Islander descent, or of any other minority heritage, you are qualified to apply for minority grants from both government sources and from the colleges to which you are applying. You can look at sources such as the Hispanic College Fund and the Online Educational Database Web site, which have hundreds of opportunities listed for minority women students. African-American women applying to historically black colleges have an excellent chance of being offered some kind of grant if they are accepted. If you are of mixed ethnic background---for example, if you are biracial---you will still qualify for grants as long as you can demonstrate financial need.
Easing Your Financial Hardship
If you are a minority woman student and also either a single working mother, a returning, or nontraditional student, or even the victim of domestic abuse, there are certainly grants available to help you in your struggle to complete your education. The best place to start is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, which will allow you to see the many kinds of grants that you are eligible for. Private companies and foundations tend to offer this type of assistance. One particularly helpful Web site is that of the private foundation Women's Independence Scholarship Program (WISP).
Grants for SMET
If you are a minority woman student studying a subject that is under-represented among women and minorities alike, you are in luck. These areas include Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology (SMET). Federal grants are widely available to women and minorities in any of these subject areas. Companies and private foundations, such as AT&T, Sony, and the National Science Foundation, are also hugely involved in hiring women and other minorities. If you can think of a company where you dream of working, check online or contact them to inquire about any funding opportunities they have for women minority students in college.
Ask Around
If you are currently attending high school or college, speak with a guidance counselor for help on your grant research. They might know of grants that are available right in your hometown from a private foundation or company. And they can of course tell you if you are eligible for any of the school's grants. If you are not in school currently, e-mail or call the colleges you are interested in and ask about grant opportunities that you might be eligible for.
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