The Go-to Guide for Scholarships and Grants in 2024 (and beyond)

The cost of college continues to rise, leaving students and their parents with more financial pressure than ever. However, this article is not about how to afford a four-year institution, it’s about how to pay for your post-secondary education if you attend an online school or a vocational program. 

With the right amount of research, dedication, and time, you can find scholarships and grants that will help defray your educational costs. And in some cases, you may even be able to graduate debt-free after only one or two years at an online school. 

While many factors go into determining which types of financial aid are available to students at various schools, we have compiled the most comprehensive list on the topic as far as we know.

What Do Scholarships & Grants Mean for Online Learners?

Student aid is a loaded term, so let’s clear up some myths first. Scholarships can be obtained by students at any time, regardless of their academic success. Grants are also awarded by sponsors at any time but require a specific grade point average (GPA) to qualify. Some scholarships are awarded based on a specific grade point average, while others are awarded based on some other factor, such as extracurricular activities or leadership roles. 

These different types of financial aid are given by sponsors in different ways. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, while grants are awarded based on financial need. Some private universities have a mix of both types of financial aid, so if you’re applying to schools like this, read through our article on scholarships and grants to see if you qualify for any grant-only opportunities.

Types of Financial Aid

• Federal Student Aid: Grants, Subsidized & Unsubsidized loans, and Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized loans rely on the FAFSA. 

• Federal Work-Study: Work you do on campus is paid for by the university, not the government. 

• Institutional: There may be funding sources that your specific university doesn’t offer.

• Scholarships: A scholarship is money awarded to students for a specific purpose. 

• Grants: A grant is money awarded for a specific purpose.

How to Find Scholarships and Grants for Online Learners?

Several scholarship search engines can help you find scholarships for specific programs and areas of study. You can also use scholarships that match your interests and hobbies to help narrow down your scholarship search. Additionally, you can use online databases to find scholarships specific to online learners. Rather than narrowing your search to just online scholarships, you can also use these search engines to look for both online and on-campus learners. You may be surprised by what you find when you widen your scholarship search.

You can also visit some of the best scholarship search engines here!

Tips for Finding Scholarships and Grants for Online Learners

You can use the tips below to develop an effective marketing campaign.

Research 

Know what you want before you start your scholarship search. Start by brainstorming the different types of financial aid that you may be interested in, then narrow down your scholarship search to specific programs, areas of study, and deadlines that best match your interest and goals.  

Contact 

Sometimes, you may be missing out on opportunities that aren’t even looking for applicants. Reach out to your school’s financial aid office to see if they know of any scholarships or grants you may not know of yet. 

Differentiate yourself from your peers 

When applying for scholarships or grants, ensure that you differentiate yourself from your peers in two crucial ways. First, ensure that you emphasize your skills instead of attacking college costs. Second, develop a marketing campaign around your scholarship search to ensure potential funders know about your accomplishments. 

Costs and Benefits of Scholarships and Grants

There are some scholarships and grants that are open to online students. These scholarships and grants can often be quite lucrative and can also be a way to pay for college entirely free of charge. On the other hand, some students may find that these awards come with specific requirements to be eligible. Certain scholarships and grants may require students to have a particular GPA, participate in specific extracurricular activities, or hold certain leadership positions.

At the end, whatever the costs, scholarships and grants are worth applying for and can transform your future any day!

Top 6 scholarships and grants open to international students

Federal Work-Study: 

The Federal Work-Study program is a need-based financial aid program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial needs. The program encourages community service work. It also focuses on work related to the student’s course of study. 

NY Opportunity Grants: 

The NY Opportunity Grants program provides funding for eligible students to attend college. The program helps students who may not otherwise be able to afford college and encourages them to pursue higher education. The program provides grant money that is for tuition, fees, and other expenses related to college. To be eligible for it, students must be residents of New York State and must demonstrate financial need. This program is run by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation. 

Merit-based Scholarships: 

Many scholarships are awarded based on merit rather than need. These scholarships can be about academic achievement, athletic ability, or other factors. Merit-based scholarships can be a great way to finance your education, as you do not need to repay. If you can qualify for a merit-based scholarship, it is worth pursuing. 

National Merit Scholarships 

The National Merit Scholarship is a highly competitive academic scholarship awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s score on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, a standardized test administered by the College Board. Scholars give scholarships to students who score in the top percentiles on the test.

The National Merit Scholarship is one of the most prestigious academic scholarships available. It is highly sought after by students and is a major factor in college admissions decisions. Students use this scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, books, and other expenses related to college. The National Merit Scholarship is an investment in a student’s future and can help them reach their full potential. 

Post-secondary Scholarships 

There are many scholarships available to students after they finish high school. Some are need-based, while others are merit-based. There are also scholarships available specifically for students planning to pursue a particular field of study.

Students should research the scholarships available to them and determine which ones meet their needs. They should also make sure to apply for scholarships before the deadline.

There are many different sources of information about scholarships, including the financial aid office at the student’s chosen school, online databases, and private organizations. Students should take advantage of all the resources available to them to find the best scholarships for their needs.

National Science Foundation 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an agency that supports fundamental research and education in the non-medical fields of science and engineering. The medical counterpart of NSF is the National Institutes of Health. NSF is responsible for funding the basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. In fields like mathematics, computer science, and the social sciences, NSF provides most of the federal funding. 

NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950. It is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and has a staff of about 2,000. The foundation’s budget for the fiscal year 2015 is $7.3 billion. 

NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations, and other research organizations throughout the United States. The Foundation receives about 50,000 proposals for research, education, and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. 

In addition to funding research, NSF supports science and engineering education at all levels. For example, the Foundation’s programs help train tomorrow’s science and engineering workforce, provide opportunities for underrepresented groups in science and engineering, and increase public understanding of science and engineering. 

NSF is a vast contributor to the US economy. According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, every dollar of NSF funding generates $2 of economic activity. This return on investment is one of the highest of any federal agency.

Bottom Line

Scholarships and grants are the most common ways for college students to fund their education. In fact, according to a study by the National Association of College Financial Aid (NACFA), 73% of all college students receive scholarships or grants from financial aid organizations during their time at an institution.

Finding scholarships and grants is essential for paying for college, and there are many ways to do so. Start by researching the different types of financial aid available, then narrow your search to specific programs, areas of study, and deadlines that best match your interests and goals. Finally, make sure that you differentiate yourself from your peers when applying for scholarships and grants.