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Scholarships Abound for a Variety of Hobbies

By U.S. News & World Report

With summer rapidly approaching, it’s finally time for students to take a breather after a long school year. That means more time outside, more time with your family and friends — and more time to spend on your favorite hobbies. But even if you’re not thinking about college over the summer, those very same hobbies can help you pay for your higher education in the fall.

There are scholarships out there for everyone from gamers to crafters. And if your hobby is more specific, more unusual or more personal, don’t worry: You can likely find scholarship dollars too.

[Explore scholarships that showcase creativity and offbeat interests.]

For crafty types who focus on knitting and crochet, the Beans For Brains Scholarship program is, well, a no-brainer. Sponsored by Jimmy Beans Wool, a knitting and craft supply company, Beans For Brains has provided more than $50,000 in scholarship assistance since 2010.

Applications are typically open during the month of March, and last year’s program required applicants to be college undergrads and proficient knitters or crocheters with at least a 3.2 GPA. If you love working with yarn, don’t miss out on this one when it opens again.

If horses are your hobby, summer provides the perfect time to get out and ride. And the Arabian Horse Foundation can also help turn your equine pursuits into college cash with their student scholarship program. Youth members of the Arabian Horse Association are invited to apply early each year, with an April 1 deadline.

[Check out more scholarships for animal lovers.]

You’ll need to provide information about your career goals, your financial situation and your equine involvement, so bookmark the application and make sure to get an early start.

High school students don’t tend to develop hobbies involving wine, for obvious reasons — but if turning 21 has turned you into an oenophile, a scholarship from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture can help you turn that interest into a career. Undergrads and graduate students are eligible if pursuing a major or graduate degree that emphasizes enology or viticulture, or “a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry.”

[Learn more about where to find horticulture scholarships for college.]

Applications are due each year by March 1, and winners are announced formally at the organization’s annual national conference in June.

Finally, if you’re a student of many hobbies, you’ll want to keep an eye on the rotating scholarship offerings from Wholesale Halloween Costumes. The company offers several unique $500 scholarships each year, most of which feel more like fun than work to apply for. Past contests have included jingle writing, pumpkin carving and creating a Vine video of an Easter bunny or leprechaun sighting.

The current contest asks entrants to create a meme based on a Wholesale Halloween Costumes product photo. If you’re a current student at a two-year or four-year college in the U.S., just submit your funniest work via email by Aug. 12 to be considered — and check out the site for the next contest, starting Aug. 13.

More from U.S. News

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Scholarships Abound for a Variety of Hobbies originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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