Available State Aid Programs

As you search for scholarships it's important to consider all of your options---from private scholarships perfectly suited to your area of study, to government grants. No scholarship search would be complete without a thorough look at various government programs. Most people are familiar with federal programs that help students pay for their college education. In fact, Federal Student Aid programs through the U.S. Department of Education are the largest source of financial help for students in the United States, providing more than $60 billion a year in grants, loans and work-study assistance. However, many students are not eligible for these federal programs, particularly as budget cuts take hold.

If you find you fall into this category, don't give up! Just look closer to home. You might be able to get financial assistance through your state government. State Financial Aid Your state offers some sort of financial aid for qualified students. Some states' programs are more progressive than others, providing free scholarship for in-state public and private colleges and universities. Others simply offer assistance that gets your partway to paying your tuition.

No matter where you live, you can likely find some sort of assistance available. How can you find out about your state? You need to find your state's higher education agency and search there.

State Aid Programs: Free Money!
Despite many states' budgetary struggles, most continue to offer some sort of financial aid through grants and scholarships to students who are residents. One key requirement is that you have to be planning to attend a school within your state. The good news is that many of these programs cover private schools as well as public universities and colleges. Exchange Programs Some states make arrangements with others states to allow non-resident students to pay in-state fees to attend their schools. For example, the Midwest Student Exchange Program includes more than 100 participating schools in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin to offer in-state or reduced tuition to residents in partner states. In another example, South Dakota reduced its out-of-state tuition costs by more than half starting in Fall 2006.

Find Available State Aid in Your Area
If you've already chosen your school, your best bet is to make use of its financial aid offices to locate available funding in your state. Most schools also provide areas on their Web sites that explain the aid and scholarships that are available. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education offers a search-able database at www.studentaid.ed.gov that can help you find the information and Web site address for your state agency. If you are persistent in your search, you can surely get a little help on the way to a higher education.

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