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Scholarships With Spring Deadlines Can Grow College Cash

By U.S. News & World Report

Keeping track of scholarship deadlines can be tricky because each month there is a new set of dates to watch out for. But staying organized can ensure that you’re doing everything possible each season to get money to make paying for college easier.

This spring, check out these valuable scholarships with deadlines in March, April, May and June as you celebrate the melting snow and prepare for summer. This is just a sample of what’s out there. Do your research, make your scholarship lists and apply to as many awards that you are eligible for as you can.

[Follow four steps to narrow your college scholarship search.]

March

In March, students who are members or are the children of members of a Service Employees International Union local union have their last chance to apply to one of the five different scholarships offered through the SEIU scholarship program. The award amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000, with some renewable scholarships; this year’s application deadline is March 3.

Undergraduate or graduate-level Muslim students or those who are active members of the Muslim community have until March 21 to apply for the Islamic Scholarship Fund’s award. This scholarship awarded between $2,000 and $5,000 last year with the goal of awarding 40 to 50 scholarships to qualifying students. Students will only be considered if entering a foundation-approved area of study.

April

On April 1, the application for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship closes. This scholarship — for the children of U.S. service members who have died in post-9/11 service — was established to help bridge the gap between the cost of college and any available federal and state aid. The award amount varies from year to year and is renewable.

[Know where to find college scholarships for military children.]

In addition, every year on April 15, the application period for the Brown and Caldwell Minority Scholarship comes to an end. This $5,000 scholarship is for full-time college juniors and seniors and graduate school students at an accredited university who are also minority students. Students must have declared a major in civil, chemical or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences.

May

The Sara Scholarship was developed for female high school seniors planning to pursue a college degree and who are actively engaged with the sport of golf. This doesn’t necessarily mean that applicants must be good golf players.

This scholarship awards $2,000 and is renewable up to four years — for a total of $8,000 — and this year’s applications are due on May 2.

[Find college scholarships that reward a variety of hobbies.]

June

By the time June comes around, it’s almost summer. It’s also time to make sure your application to the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship is complete because the application deadline has historically been around June 15. To be eligible, you should be a high school senior or college freshman, sophomore or junior ages 27 or younger and have demonstrated a commitment to fighting AIDS through leadership and public service. This scholarship usually awards between $2,500 an d $5,000.

Also in June: The Bruce Lee Foundation Scholarship application period closes on June 10. The scholarship is for students ages 16 or older who exemplify Bruce Lee’s passions and are familiar with Lee and his insights. In the past, the award has been $1,000 per winner, and the scholarship has awarded about $30,000 to date.

More from U.S. News

Scholarships Abound for Students in Popular College Majors

6 College Scholarship Myths to Steer Clear Of

3 Reasons to Apply to High-Effort, High-Dollar Scholarships

Scholarships With Spring Deadlines Can Grow College Cash 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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