If you come in to our nonprofit management support organization and ask for a book on grant proposal writing, there are two we’ll pull out right away: Grassroots Grants and Winning Grants Step by Step. We’re often asked which to choose. Of all the books we see, these are the two we most often recommend, but they do have different approaches.

Winning Grants Step by Step takes a pragmatic tone. It accepts the rules of the game and offers to show you how to win within them. “Most funders prefer to give grants for new and expanding programs or in support of special projects and new ideas rather than for the general operating expenses of an organization or the ongoing costs of established programs,” it explains. “Because funders have these preferences, this workbook uses the idea of creating a new program as the basis for developing a proposal.” (The book does also give examples of core operating support proposals, and does start with a planning guide to help you see which programs fit your priorities).
In the introduction to Grassroots Grants, on the other hand, the publisher shares her qualms about publishing a book about grants at all, preferring that the reader focus first on developing more renewable and less restricted gifts from individual donors. “This book is about two things: money and power,” says Grassroots Grants, and calmly analyzes the dynamics of both in the grant proposal process. This big-picture view is in the end more pragmatic - it encourages you to take control of the grantseeking process by searching out those funders and pitching those programs that really best fit with what you are trying to do.

Both books have excellent project planning guidelines. As Winning Grants Step by Step observes, “Generally, organizations will spend approximately 80 percent of their time planning a project and only 20 percent of their time writing and packaging a proposal,” so this section is obviously very important. Both books ask questions such as “What is unique about your organization’s project?” “Is anyone else working on a similar project?” “What members of your community support each project?”

Both also contain useful information about finding appropriate funders, which is key to the process - much more important than your writing skills is finding the right funder who cares about projects like yours. Although Winning Grants Step by Step puts this information at the end in an appendix, you should really read it first, particularly the excellent section on corporate giving programs. Grassroots Grants contains very helpful guidelines about what to consider when deciding whether a funder is really a good fit for your organization, and detailed information about ways to develop good relationships with potential funders.

The books have different approaches to how they help you with your own writing. Winning Grants Step by Step has a workbook format, with questionnaires you fill out as you go, so that by the time you have completed them you will have addressed most of the subjects covered in a typical proposal, and it will be easy to cut and paste the appropriate bits into the funder’s preferred format. It comes with all the worksheets on a CD-ROM so you can fill them out electronically and reuse them. If you like project planning, but get nervous about the writing process, this format may help walk you through. Grassroots Grants has questionnaires throughout the text, and it has more examples of proposals, query letters, and other documents with notes on how they were developed. If you like to write by reading examples to inspire you to your own purposes, this book will suit you.

Ultimately, these books complement one another. Even if you prefer the workbook format of Winning Grants Step by Step, the “big picture” you get from reading Grassroots Grants will help you answer all those questions. Likewise, if you prefer the style of Grassroots Grants, you can still benefit from the excellent sections on overhead costs and planning for sustainability in Winning Grants Step by Step.

Chany explains upfront that the most financial aid goes not to the “neediest” but to those who best understand the financial aid process. This happens for many reasons including the many financial aid loopholes. Structuring your finances to maximize aid awarded to your children entering and in college is legal and ethical says Chany. He argues that just as making decisions to legally minimize taxes is ethical, so too is maximizing aid so long as you tell the truth in aid applications.

Colleges and their financial aid officers don’t explain the often mysterious process and formulas by which financial aid awards are determined. Chany has filled this void in his comprehensive book.

Chany is one of a handful of nationally recognized experts on how the college financial aid process works and what you can do to maximize your child’s aid. His book, which has been in print since the early 1990s, is updated annually. Chany also discusses the college selection process, how state aid works, and he walks the reader through how to complete all the major aid forms.

I’m a college student who doesn’t qaulify for a lot of financial aid from my school, so I’ve basically seen every type of scholarship book out there. I can tell you that “How to Go to College Almost for Free” is the ONLY scholarship book you need to get. The book has everything you need, including how to find scholarships, how to fill out winning applications, and how to avoid the common pitfalls. Before I got this book I thought I was going to have to take a term off from school to earn money. But after following its step by step instructions, I won 4 scholarships in a matter of months and not only paid for my tuition but had money left over to cover my books and fees.

The cost of a college education has increased dramatically over the last few years. With budget cuts to higher education and increased tuition, the burden of cost has increased for the average college student. While loans are an option, they have the drawback of needing to be repaid eventually. Another option for funding are scholarships, many of which are overlooked.

What are college scholarships?

College Scholarship programs essentially provide free money for college. Scholarships are awarded by charitable foundations, businesses, schools, universities, government agencies and private organizations and are awarded based on criteria set by these organizations. The criteria could be academic, athletic, membership in a specific group or club or on the basis of community service.

Finding College Scholarships

The search for college scholarships or grants is a timely process and applying can also take time, as some scholarships require essays or other material you will need to provide for consideration.

There are several resources available when searching for college scholarships. One of the most important resources is the school you plan on attending or are already attending. Your high school counselor may be able to provide information on scholarships and many universities have an office devoted to helping students
find scholarships or grants.

Additionally, the university and public library may be good resources as well, especially if they have a section devoted to helping students find grants. If you’re already attending a university, there may also be special seminars that provide information on how to go about a scholarship or grant search. Lastly, there are various online resources that will help you find scholarships. Be sure to research the website, though, to make sure they have a good reputation and are successful in assisting in the scholarship search. There are also inexpensive books on that may be helpful as well.

While the task of searching for college scholarships may be take time and energy, if you’re successful, it will mean having to take out less in student loans and having less debt in the future related to your education.

Did you know that there are thousands of dollars worth of unclaimed scholarships each year? And there are also a handful of odd scholarships that are virtually unknown and have very low competition. These are sources of real money that could be paying for your college education. I would like to share with you how you can get your hands on some of these awards that often go unclaimed.

The answer is actually easier and more straightforward than you think: Find and apply for unusual and unheard of scholarships that you are eligible for. It is the process of actually doing this that can be a bit more challenging.

Where do you find these unknown odd scholarships? There are several approaches that you can take to find strange, unclaimed, and low competition scholarships.

The most obvious way to find these free money sources is through internet searches. Using keywords such as “unusual scholarships” “odd scholarships” and “unclaimed scholarships” are good ways to find the direct source offering the award. However, this approach can be time consuming since there will be a lot of material to weed through.

A more efficient way to conduct this search is by finding scholarship databases online. A website of this type allows you to fill out a custom profile that collects details about your interests, hobbies, skills, and personal characteristics. After you have completed this easy step, the unclaimed scholarships will be brought to you. The database will show you a multitude of awards and contests that you are eligible to apply for and it will contain all the details you need. Now all you have to do is choose the ones you want to apply for and start the applications, many of which are online also. These databases are very inclusive and contain unusual and strange scholarships as well as the more traditional.

Unclaimed Scholarships is the best website I have found for bringing the information to you. It’s fast, easy, and free!

Don’t miss out on unclaimed scholarships that you or someone you know may be eligible for. Go to http://www.wacky-scholarships.com/unclaimed-scholarships.html today to learn more about just how much college money you can receive.

Using Fastweb

Fastweb.com is a great place to find scholarships. They have more scholarships listed than you could ever apply for, and you can even narrow down the search results so that you only see the scholarships you are eligible to apply for.

The problem with Fastweb scholarships is that there are lots and lots of people applying. Before applying remember that the competition is extremely high here. Don’t waste your time applying for as many scholarships you can on Fastweb. If you apply for 100 and don’t get one, you probably won’t get one if you apply for another 100.

Scholarships from the college

Scholarships awarded by your prospective school are probably the easiest to win. The number of applicants will be far less than those of Fastweb, and you will also probably get a lot more money. Make sure you apply for ay scholarships available along with your college applications. You usually need to apply by a certain deadline to be eligible for scholarship consideration.

Alumni scholarships

Ask your college counselor if there are any scholarships available from the high school you attend. Alumni often provide scholarships for graduating classes, and your chances of getting these are high because there won’t be too many people applying.

Also don’t forget that there will definitely be alumni scholarships available from the college you are applying to, so make sure to check those out too.

National Merit

Score well on the PSAT and you may be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. There is more information on the PSAT website.

If you don’t get any scholarships your first year, do well your freshman year and then apply for continuing student scholarships straight from your college. My colleagues have had a lot of success with these so don’t slack off freshman year!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step in the college process that every student should complete. After applying for a Personal Identification Number (PIN), the student can input financial data and tax records that the federal government will use to determine an Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Are the big words confusing? They don’t have to be, because the FAFSA doesn’t really take that long to fill out if your yearly taxes are already processed. Simply go online to the government’s FAFSA website and enter your last year’s income, intended course of study, and possible exemptions - and voila! Within a few days (maybe hours) you can find out how much of your tuition you are expected to pay, and how much you can request from the school.

Funding is limited, so the best bet is to apply early and meet with your school’s financial aid or guidance counselor immediately after you receive the Student Aid Report (SAR). While applying early will improve your odds, it is not a guarantee of assistance. Any savings or investment you own can be counted toward your expected contribution. If the student is under 25, the parents’ income and investment and even home equity will included as ways to pay for tuition. Even if this is the case, its good to file a FAFSA because other private scholarship programs may want to see that information as well.

Finally, be sure to file your FAFSA free at the U.S. Government Education website. Some websites have been popping up lately that will file your FAFSA for a fee, but they do not offer any particular advantage over the official FAFSA website. If you need money for school, there’s no reason to spend money to have some one else send in a free application for you!

John McDonald blogs about financial aid and researches funding programs at a free online scholarship search engine.

After learning about the FAFSA financial aid program and realizing just how helpful it can be for your future, you need to go for it. At least there must be a way to take you to the actual process. You do this by filling up a FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) that requires you to fill in all important and detailed information supposed to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

This, therefore, is something to be taken seriously and needs accuracy and ample time. As a prospective student you need to have access to FAFSA every year to help fund your education. FAFSA information is available online and the forms are available in FAFSA website. In the website there are easy to understand links and guidelines to help fill in the FAFSA form completely and submit it.

Also be aware that there are other financial means that you may feel comfortable for you. It is a student’s choice but all the information you need about alternative financial aid is available online.

It’s advisable to have a guardian, parent or any experienced person to advise you especially to stress on the reason for your dire need for financial aid. This will help you give crucial information that will determine the results. If you like it, and please note it is important, download a printable form, or get a FAFSA form from your high school, call and ask for the form on 1-800-4-FED-AID, or even get one from your local library. Fill in the details whether you choose to use the hard copy or online one as draft first to avoid errors while filling in the final copy. Most important, have all the important and required documents at hand.

The FAFSA form is readily available online, it’s by no means you will have difficulties in obtaining it. Filling FAFSA online form will allow you to reenter information if there are any errors, save already filled information since some pages contains the save button, and be most sure only correct information is filled before submitting. Again you will receive student aid report on time and faster. So fill the FAFSA electronically for it is a free, safe, reliable and a quick way to get financial aid.

Poly Muthumbi is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Student Loan Consolidation for Years. For More Information on FAFSA form, Visit Her Site at FAFSA FORM

Poly Muthumbi is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on FINANCE for Years. For More Information on STUDENT LOANS, Visit Her Site at STUDENT LOANS

If you’re a prospective college student and you are in need of a school loan, a Federal student loan is a good option. In order to get approved for federal financial aid you will need to complete the FAFSA. FAFSA is the acronym for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid.” Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid which is the basis for all financial aid. Students can begin submitting their FAFSA on January 1. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding FAFSA and federal financial aid.

1. How do I apply for financial aid?

A FAFSA is all you need to get started.

2. What is FAFSA?

Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s Free!

3. Do I have to fill out a FAFSA every year?

Yes. Applications are available starting January 1st, both paper and electronic applications.

4. What is the difference between submitting an electronic FAFSA versus a paper FAFSA?

An electronic FAFSA is processed in two (2) to three (3) weeks, while the paper FAFSA takes four (4) to six (6) weeks to process.

5. What is the deadline for filing the FAFSA (i.e. applying for financial aid)?

The PRIORITY deadline for FAFSA is March 2nd>. Forms must be postmarked no later than March 2nd before the academic year for which aid is being sought in order to be considered for STATE aid. However, if the March 2nd deadline is missed, you will still be considered for federal Financial Aid, as well as other Financial Aid programs.

You can apply for a Financial Aid through the last day of classes in Spring semester.

6. How is the FAFSA used to determine my financial aid need?

The federal government uses data provided on the FAFSA to calculate a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Financial Aid Office calculates a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) which includes tuition, living expenses, miscellaneous fees, books, etc. COA minus EFC equals a student’s financial need, which we then try to meet with federal grants, state grants, academic or talent scholarships, institutional grants, federal work study, and various loans.

For more information or to complete a FAFSA application visit School Loan Consolidation

“Student Loan Debt Consolidation

It seems the frustration level is rising. Times are tough, people are losing their jobs, and schools are raising tuition costs. Lenders are changing their portfolios, trying to stay afloat. All of this makes it very hard for a student to get a loan they once got in the past. Gone are easy to receive International school loans, gone are the private consolidation loans, gone are the loans that pop up in your mailbox. You can still obtain a loan, but it will most likely be different from any private loan you have had in the past. It may also require you to have a cosigner, even if your credit score is perfect.

This frustration is real, and it’s resulting in some students dropping out of school, even if its just for a semester while they get all their ducks in a row. So the question is what to do, how to prepare accordingly. If you relied on private loans in the past to pay your tuition, check with your school to make sure they will accept private “school certified” loans…as this seems to be the most prevalent loan in the market right now. If they do not handle those loans, then I would suggest looking into a cheaper state school, which you can afford with just Federal loans.

The biggest mistake I made, and others make, is going to a school for the name….and unless you are going to a Harvard or Yale, you very well may regret it in the future. Assuming large amounts of debt, and not being able to pay it will affect you for the rest of your life.