The HIFI Life

Pell Grant – Eligibility Criteria, Requirements, and Applying

February 6, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Are you trying to find a way to afford your college education? While there are many grants and scholarships you can apply for, none are as well known as the Federal Pell Grant. This grant provides students with the opportunity to not only fully fund their college education, but pay for additional costs of attending school, such as books, household expenses, and transportation. If you are struggling to afford the rising cost of earning your degree, take a few moments to consider whether a Federal Pell Grant may be able to assist you.

Related: 9 Scholarships for Women

What is a Pell Grant?

A Federal Pell Grant is an award of money from the government given to students attending college who demonstrate financial need. Unlike a loan, this type of award does not need to be repaid, although there are specific requirements that must be met in order for a student to obtain it. Once the award is given to a student, he or she can use it any one of the 5,400 participating technical schools, colleges, and universities in the United States.

Eligibility- In order to be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, a student must be a low-income undergraduate enrolled in or planning to attend a participating school. While most students will not qualify for a Pell Grant for post baccalaureate degrees, those earning a teaching degree may also be accepted for this award.

In order to qualify for this grant, students must:

Demonstrate financial need.
Have their high school diploma or GED.
Be able to pass an ability-to-benefit, or ATB, test provided by Department of Education if you do not have a GED or high school diploma.
Be a citizen of the United States with a valid social security number.
Maintain a certain GPA once attending college.
Must have not been convicted of the sale or possession of drugs while receiving the Pell grant in the past.
Must not be in default on any federal student loans.
Must fill out a federal FAFSA application at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financial Aid Available

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the maximum amount given for a Pell Grant for the years 2011 and are $5,500. The amount awarded to each student will vary though, depending on the following factors.

The student’s expect family contribution, or EFC
Cost of attendance for the school
Whether the student is enrolled in school part-time or full-time
Whether the student will attend school for a full academic year
If the student has had a parent or guardian pass away during military service in either Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001

Applying for a Pell Grant

Anyone can apply for the Federal Pell Grant; the application is free. If you are unsure of how you will pay for college, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. Here you can fill out the online version of the Free Application for Student Aid. After you have completed the application, it will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education, and they will inform you whether you qualify for this type of financial assistance.

There several documents you will need when applying for a Pell Grant. Make sure to have these documents nearby and ready when you begin the application so you can provide the government with accurate information.

Driver’s license
Social security number
Your income tax information for the previous year, if you are an independent student
Your parent’s income tax information if you are still a dependent
The name and location of your school

Because the government has a limited amount of resources, Pell Grants are considered first come, first serve.„ù For this reason, it is essential for you to fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible. If you have last year’s taxes, you can begin filling out your application as soon as January 1^st.

If you could use financial help financing your education, consider applying for a Pell Grant. This type of grant could help you earn your degree and put you on the path to a whole new chapter in your life.

4 PhD Scholarships

February 6, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

A doctoral degree is the highest level of education you can obtain, and, according to the Oracle, you can earn an average of $3.4 over your lifetime after earning this degree. That’s approximately $2.2 million more dollars over a lifetime than a high school graduate would earn, $1.3 million more than an individual with a Bachelor’s degree, and $900 thousand more than an individual with a Master’s degree.

Before you can start earning the big bucks, though, you have to obtain your doctoral degree. On average, a typical program takes about five years to complete post-bachelor and, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, costs between $242,000 and $300,000. While this price may be intimidating to many students, it doesn’t have to be. There are many university fellowships, grants, and scholarships, which provide financial aid to students trying to obtain their doctorate degree. These forms of financial aid can provide students with tuition assistance, paid internships, and stipends for housing and living costs.

PhD Scholarships for Women and Minorities

If you are interested in continuing your education and earning your doctoral degree, there are many different scholarships and grants you can take advantage of. The following are financial resources designed especially for women and minority trying to obtain their doctorate degrees.

Society for Women Engineers– Women interested in pursuing a career in engineering, computer science, and engineering technology can earn between $1,000 to $10,000 to assist with the tuition at an accredited college in the U.S. or Mexico. In order to qualify for scholarships through the Society of Women Engineers, female students must be residents of the United States, have at least a 3.5 GPA, and must not be receiving funding that covers their full tuition, such as the funding received through the Armed Forces or through employer reimbursement.

United Negro College Fund– African Americans enrolled full time in a four year university, who are interested in pursuing a degree in engineering, life sciences, or physical sciences can obtain an award of up to $35,000. $25,000 of this award can be used toward tuition and college expenses, while $10,000 can be used as a stipend for living expenses. The scholarship also provides two summer internships.

Association for Women in Science– The Association for Women in Science is a foundation that supports women who need to travel for professional development. Students who work in a career like mathematics, technology, engineering, and science can obtain up to $3,000 that can be used for transportation, tuition, housing, dependent care, and meals.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund– Hispanic graduate students who are enrolled full-time two or four year college in the United States, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico can receive financial assistance for their doctoral degree education. Students must be pursuing their first graduate degree in order to qualify. Scholarships are based on personal strengths, financial need, leadership, and academic performance.

Related: 9 Scholarships for Women

Imagine making an average of $3.4 million dollars over your lifetime with a doctorate degree. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? With just a few years of additional education and the right scholarships, university fellowships, and grants, you can earn the degree you need to live the life you have always wanted.

Top 10 Online College Scholarships You Can Apply For Today

January 11, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

With the increasing costs of college education, many are turning to online college scholarships to partially or fully fund tuition. There are many online scholarships for college students available for all walks of life. If you are in the middle of searching for one that works for you, consider online college scholarships. These can provide you with the financial aid you need to succeed in getting your college degree.

Here is a list of the top online college scholarships that are available today:

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides financial assistance to high school students that are changing their communities and the world in a positive way. You must be devoted to service and leadership that changes the lives of those around you for the better.

The foundation awards 150 recipients with a hefty $20,000 college scholarship every year. To qualify, you must be a current U.S. high school senior on the way to obtaining your diploma. You must be attending an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.

Apply here: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

This global scholarship is for a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge located in the United Kingdom. This is one of the best online scholarships for college students. Founded by Bill and Melinda Gates, the scholarship focuses on building a global network of leaders that makes the world a better place for all.

You can be a citizen of any country except the United Kingdom in order to qualify. You must apply to a limited list of full-time courses at the university, no part-time course work is acceptable. The scholarship funds your course work for the amount of time you are enrolled in the university until graduation. Additional college scholarship information can be found online.

Related: Top 10 Grants & Scholarships

Apply here: Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Dell Scholars Program

The Dell Scholars Program awards financial aid for college to those that have overcome huge hurdles in life to pursue education. If you are living with large personal responsibilities at home or in the community, this would be an ideal scholarship to apply to. Each year, 400 scholarships are awarded, and the main focus is identifying a drive to succeed, not your GPA or test scores.

This online college scholarship awards you with $20,000, plus a laptop and textbook aid. Support and assistance is available throughout your college experience.

Apply here: Dell Scholars Program

Burger King Scholars Program

The Burger King Scholars Program awards recipients with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. While the amounts vary every year, the qualifications to receive the financial aid for college is broad.

In order to apply, you must be a graduating high school senior living in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada. There are GPA requirements for this scholarship, and applicants must obtain a minimum 2.0 average on a 4.0 scale. You have to be applying full-time to an accredited two or four-year college or institution.

Additionally, in order to be selected, you must show financial need, work experience and any extracurricular activities you have participated in.

Apply here: Burger King Scholars Program

Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarship

This scholarship honors those that reflect high-standards and quality in their everyday lives. There are many scholarships available under this umbrella, ranging from a scholar program available to all, to those that focus on minorities. College scholarship information can be viewed online for the minority scholarships.

The general requirements are that you must be under 21 years old and have at least a 2.7 GPA based on a 4.0 scale. You must demonstrate financial need and are planning on attending a 2 or 4-year college or institution.

Apply here: Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarship

The Future is Female Scholarship

This scholarship focuses on the female student. Funded by the female led company True & Co., their mission is to help facilitate post-secondary education for women.

The scholarship offers $3,000 to an American citizen or resident, that can be used for the educational path of your choice. To qualify you must have a 3.0 GPA minimum, and be enrolled or enrolling in college. College graduates are even encouraged to apply.

Apply here: The Future is Female Scholarship

Discover Card Scholarship Program

The scholarship program is open to all U.S. residents who are at least 16 years old. The scholarship awards those that need help with student loans.

You must me a high school senior who will be attending a qualifying school that offers an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program. You can be a part-time or full-time student. The program is offering $2,500 to the winner.

Apply here: Discover Card Scholarship Program

AXA Achievement Scholarship

The AXA Achievement Scholarship is available to high school seniors who are U.S. residents. The applicant must show leadership, drive and determination to be considered. You must show achievement in school, community or work.

The scholarship program gives students the chance to receive either a $2,500, $10,000 or $25,000 scholarship. Also, the winners will have a $1,000 grant sent to their graduating school. You must show a desire to succeed in college and beyond.

Apply here: AXA Achievement Scholarship

Elk’s National Foundation Most Valuable Student

This four-year scholarship is for undergraduate study only. You must be a high school senior and U.S. citizen. Also, you must demonstrate leadership in your community and you must have financial need.

The program culminates in an all-expenses paid weekend in Chicago for twenty finalists, where you will be interviewed by a panel of judges. You will be vying for $50,000, $40,000 or $30,000 scholarships. The remaining finalists that do not win the top prizes, will walk away with $20,000. In addition, 480 other applicants will win $4,000 from the foundation. You do not need to be a member of the Elk’s or have any family members in the organization to qualify.

Apply here: Elk’s National Foundation Most Valuable Student

Future Leaders Scholarship

This organization recognizes those that are future leaders of their community. The goal is to make financial aid for college available to all regardless of your financial status.

In order to complete the application, you would need to complete a series of essays and questions that are provided for you to choose from. This scholarship awards you $3000 to pursue a two-year, four-year college, university or technical school in the United States and its territories. It is open to graduating high school seniors and college students and would need to be enrolled full-time in college in order to qualify for the scholarship.

Apply here: Future Leaders Scholarship

Online scholarships are a financially sound way to receive monetary assistance for your college endeavors. With the rising cost of attending a two or four-year institution, scholarships are quickly becoming a necessity for many. Your college education is an important investment in your future. Set yourself up for success by researching and applying to as many scholarships you can qualify for.

A Guide to Obtaining College Scholarships

January 4, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

According to U.S. News, the average tuition for a four year public college is roughly $20,000. If you plan on attending a private four year institution, the cost will almost double to a little more than $35,000 annually.

With the rising cost of tuition every year, more and more students are turning to financial aid to help them with their education. In fact, according to the American Association of State College and Universities, approximately $275 million dollars were provided during the 2009 and 2010 school year in the form of state based aid. In order for you to take advantage of the help that’s available, you’ll need to know where to start:

Choosing The Right College and Major

The first step in obtaining your education isn’t researching scholarships and grants. Why? Many times, grants and scholarships will require the student to be accepted or enrolled in college with a determined major before they can qualify for aid. So, your first step should always be to find the right college and determine what major you want. Here are just a few steps to help you accomplish this.

Determine where you want to go; not the exact college necessarily, but the location. If you love the support of your family, you may want to choose an in-state school. If you are adventurous and have always dreamed of striking out on your own, an out-of-state college may be the right option.

When choosing a college, don’t let the size or the name intimidate you or sway your decision. Large colleges aren’t always the best choice for some students, especially those who would benefit from the intimate and personal experience of a university with a smaller population. The name of the college doesn’t matter either; your future employers will be look for experience, skill, and education, not your college pedigree. Search for a college that will provide you with these qualities, even if they aren’t part of the Ivy League.

Find a college that will provide you with the experiences you need. Visit university websites for information about faculty, events, sports, and different clubs. Send an email to each college admission’s officer and ask to talk to prior students, so you can hear first-hand what the college is like.

Choosing a major doesn’t have to be difficult, but it will take some thought. Consider your skills, what you love to do, your hobbies, and your interests. Then, think about what type of life you want; do you want to travel, work in an office, work outside? Explore the different majors available at the college of your choosing, take a look at the classes each one requires, and you will have no problem finding the right major.

Top 3 Places to Look for Scholarships

Searching for the best scholarships online isn’t always easy, especially if you are looking for ones that fill a specific need. Before you lose hope, consider looking into these three websites for the best scholarship information available.

College Grants and Scholarships– This website is dedicated to listing a variety of scholarships and grants available to students who need assistance in earning their degree. Not only will you find information about certain scholarships, but you will also find helpful suggestions on how to apply and when to apply.

FastWeb– This scholarship site provides students with the technology needed to match them to the perfect scholarship. Students can view a massive database of scholarships, enter sweepstakes for additional money for college, and learn the ins and outs of applying and getting through college.

Scholarships.com– Aside from providing a large database of almost every scholarship available to college students, this website also assists in helping you find the right college and makes it easy for colleges to find you and recruit you.

Best Times to Start Applying for Scholarships

Most scholarships have deadlines that fall between January and May, in order to allow plenty of time for judges and organizations to select the scholarship winner before the fall term begins. Once you find the scholarships you want to apply for, keep track of each of their deadlines. Apply for the scholarships as early as possible for a better chance of making it to the top of the stack.

Are you ready for a $20,000 per year tuition? If not, consider applying for financial aid. The help is out there and it really is possible to earn a degree at little to no cost to you.

4 Scholarships for Hispanics and Latinos

January 4, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

“According to Fox News, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that about 2.1 million Hispanic and Latino college students were able to graduate with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2001.

A little over a decade later, the number has increased by about 80 percent, boasting almost 3.8 million students in 2011.

As the – 2013 school year quickly approaches, you may be wondering if you will be a part of the statistics four years from now for Latino college graduates.

After all, there are many problems that could get in the way of you completing your college degree. One of the biggest issues you may come across is, of course, the rising cost of tuition.

Will you be able to afford your education this coming year? What about next year?

If the answer to these questions is I don’t know, you might want to begin looking into the various Hispanic scholarships available to help you with the cost of a college degree.

List of Hispanic Scholarships

These days, if you want to obtain high paying employment, support your family, and live a comfortable life, you need to attend college. While we are raised to understand this importance, many of those who wish to earn their education don’t have the money to do so.

If you are of Hispanic or Latino decent, you may have the opportunity to attend the university of your dreams, without having to pay as much for it.

Here are just a few of the many scholarships available specifically for Hispanics and Latinos:

Actuarial Scholarships for Minorities – The Actuarial Foundation provides the Actuarial Diversity Scholarship for minority students who wish to pursue a degree that will lead to a actuarial career. High school students applying to college can obtain $1,000, college freshman and sophomores can receive $2,000, and college juniors can receive as much as $3,000 for their following year of education. Visit their website

Earl G. Graves NAACP Scholarship – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People provides junior and senior business majors a scholarship award of $5,000. In order to obtain this scholarship, students must be enrolled in an accredited school, be in the top 20 percent of their class, and be a full time student. Visit website

First in My Family Scholarship Program – If you are a Hispanic or Latino American and are the first in your family to attend college, you may be eligible for the First in My Family Scholarship Program from the Sallie Mae Fund. Winners of this scholarship can receive awards from $500 to $5,000. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0, be U.S. citizens, or be permanent residents of the United States enrolled in college. Check out scholarship page

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Program – The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Program provides financial assistance to Hispanic and Latino students who wish to obtain their education. A general scholarship is offered to undergraduate and graduate college students, students who transfer to community colleges, graduating high school students. The Gates Millennium Scholarship, established by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also available through this program for high school seniors. Amounts per scholarship vary, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. Higher awards are given to students enrolled in four year institutions. Apply for a HSF scholarship

Simple Tips to Know Before You Apply

When applying for Hispanic scholarships, it is essential to keep the following tips in mind.

Review the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before you apply. Some have specific requirement, such as full time student status or financial need. Many scholarships are limited to specific students, such graduating high school students, undergraduate students, graduate student, or students obtaining their doctorate.

Essays are an important part of scholarship selection. Have someone else, like a family member or teacher read your essay before you send in your scholarship application. As they review the essay, have them check for spelling errors, grammatical errors, and see if your essay answers the question on the application.

Keep a close eye on deadlines. Most scholarships must be turned in on specific dates, and each one will vary. If you miss a deadline, you will have to wait until next year to apply again.

Begin and finish your application as quickly as possible.

If you are a Hispanic or Latino American interested in attending college, don’t let financial need keep you from living the dream.

Plenty of Hispanic scholarships are available. Begin the application process today.”