If you come from the ‘average’ family – your parents probably a little left over each month when the bills are paid – and that goes for the unexpected car repair bill or your sibling’s orthodontist. The home you live in may be worth less than your parents’ mortgage – and a retirement plan is just a dream…even though they are ‘professionals’ and make a pretty decent salary – they have just told you they are not sure how they are going to be able to pay for your college education.

And now you are asking the big question: Can I qualify for financial aid so I can go to school? The answer will probably surprise you, because there is an excellent chance that you can! In fact, many people that could receive financial aid never even bother to apply because they simply assume they don’t qualify!

Every year, Congress sets aside more than $65 million dollars for student education aid. These funds can be awarded as scholarships, gifts, grants or loans. The awards are made based on several different factors that can include the student’s grades and/or need.

Needless to say, out of all of the various programs funded by the United States Federal Government, grants, are the most sought after  because, unlike a student loan, grant money for college is a ‘gift’ with no repayment needed or expected!

Women dream of having a happy and fulfilled family life. But sometimes reality can really hurt, and the fairy tale world ends with a snap of a finger. And very soon, you’ll find yourself raising your kids alone without the help of your husband. Supporting a family with kids is tough, especially if you’re a single mom. And the best way to be able to give your kids a decent life is to finish college, and land a good job.

Being a single mother can be very hard. You would have to do everything yourself; work hard, attend to your kids needs, and attend college classes. Oftentimes, you will have difficulty in handling your finances. And attending college requires a certain sum of money. Here is where a college scholarship will come in handy.

Scholarship and loans are the biggest source of financial aid for students. Together these make up more than 50% of student financial aid. The most popular though is grant money for college – because you don’t have to pay the money back!

The qualifications for grant money for college are usually very strict. Unlike loans or scholarships where money is awarded based on your credit standing or merit, typically grant money for college is based almost solely on your financial need.