I'm hearing so much (especially recently) on all of Obama's newly implemented stimulus’s and budget funding for returning students to attend college. There's also been lots of talk it seems on President O. encouraging working mothers to seek out higher education as well, with addition grants and funding afforded to them also to do so.
My question is...where IS all of this so-called extra money? I have been a college student for 3 years now, and as I am entering my final year-year and a half..I've succumbed to having to take out my first loan as so many others must do, and I can't help but think there MUST be more funding out there that maybe is more obscured from the general public (for obvious reasons..) but that I could realistically qualify for, and be getting to help ease some of the personal financial burden.
Luckily, up until this point my institution of choice had a great financial aid program, and I have incurred no debt thus far. However, as I said..I've recently just applied for my first 'Student Stafford Loan', which is going to be for quite an exorbitant amount. It has me uneasy (although regardless, it is necessary for the greater cause..) and I just wish there was something I could do to qualify for more of these grants and credits. As of now, I DO receive the maximum amount of Federal aid (Pell Grant and the like..) because I am still able to use both my and my mother's income information..which leaves our EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) at zero. However, I will be giving birth to my son in January (and receiving support payments accordingly thereafter), so I know this will soon impact my aid eligibility as well.
Does anyone know of any websites, resources, or links to information that might lead me in the right place towards finding some more of this financial aid? Besides filling out my 'FAFSA' each year and receiving all I can from them, I do visit websites such as Fastweb.com (to no avail) to increase my odds by applying for scholarships. I know there may be special circumstances for some of these grant credits, based on specific demographics. What is someone like myself that is young (21), female (Caucasian), currently unemployed due to lay-off, expecting/parent to one dependent, unmarried, and is technically considered 'low income' available to receive?
Any feedback based on this information would be helpful. The new semester begins October 19th for me and if I could get access to some of this additional funding prior to then, it'd really help. After all, my budget is extremely cut enough as it is with expecting a child in just a few months..
Thanks as always. Thoughtful answers are the most appreciated
My question is...where IS all of this so-called extra money? I have been a college student for 3 years now, and as I am entering my final year-year and a half..I've succumbed to having to take out my first loan as so many others must do, and I can't help but think there MUST be more funding out there that maybe is more obscured from the general public (for obvious reasons..) but that I could realistically qualify for, and be getting to help ease some of the personal financial burden.
Luckily, up until this point my institution of choice had a great financial aid program, and I have incurred no debt thus far. However, as I said..I've recently just applied for my first 'Student Stafford Loan', which is going to be for quite an exorbitant amount. It has me uneasy (although regardless, it is necessary for the greater cause..) and I just wish there was something I could do to qualify for more of these grants and credits. As of now, I DO receive the maximum amount of Federal aid (Pell Grant and the like..) because I am still able to use both my and my mother's income information..which leaves our EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) at zero. However, I will be giving birth to my son in January (and receiving support payments accordingly thereafter), so I know this will soon impact my aid eligibility as well.
Does anyone know of any websites, resources, or links to information that might lead me in the right place towards finding some more of this financial aid? Besides filling out my 'FAFSA' each year and receiving all I can from them, I do visit websites such as Fastweb.com (to no avail) to increase my odds by applying for scholarships. I know there may be special circumstances for some of these grant credits, based on specific demographics. What is someone like myself that is young (21), female (Caucasian), currently unemployed due to lay-off, expecting/parent to one dependent, unmarried, and is technically considered 'low income' available to receive?
Any feedback based on this information would be helpful. The new semester begins October 19th for me and if I could get access to some of this additional funding prior to then, it'd really help. After all, my budget is extremely cut enough as it is with expecting a child in just a few months..
Thanks as always. Thoughtful answers are the most appreciated