Grants and Scholarships

Are there any student grants available for people who are laid off?

before I get a huge loan to a four year university, I want to know if there is money specifically for me, since I was recently laid off and on unemployment.

Public Comments

1. Go to your local Workforce Center (unemployment office) and ask to talk to a WIA counselor. Workforce Investment Act. This is a program that sometimes pays people who are laid off to go back to school and helps with tuition books and such. Usually there are some restrictions, like you have to be going into a high demand occupation. Good luck.
2. I’ve gone through the university system (as a student and employee) and have educators in the family. Below are some tips: 1) Check with your local unemployment office or Workforce Center. I'm sure they're sitting on a mountain of information. They just need some prodding. 2) I would also check with the school where you plan to attend. Talk to a financial aid person there. Don’t be shy. Be very open with them. Let them know every detail of your plight (trust me). They too are sitting on a wealth of information and may have something for you. For example, in Minnesota they have a scholarship for adult students called the Allis Opportunity Grant Program for Adults Returning to College. Ask your financial aid person if something like this is available in your state. Below is a description of the Allis Grant. ********************** Adults may be eligible to take a college credit course for free at one of Minnesota's community colleges through the Alliss Opportunity Grant Program. The grant covers one course (up to five credits). The cost of books is included in the award, but other restrictions and fees many apply. Application Process: Contact the community college admissions office for more information and an application. You cannot apply for a grant after you have registered. Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for this grant, you must have been out of high school for seven or more years, and not have a bachelor's degree. ********************** 3) A WAY TO REDUCE COSTS OR GET AROUND PAYING TUITION: Work at the college where you plan to attend. It may take you longer to get through school but most schools pay 50 to 100% of your tuition. You may have to work full time (which in some schools consists of anything over 32 hours a week). They may also allow time for their employees to take a class during the day. For example, they may allow you to have a maximum of 3 hours a week to take a class. Or depending on who you work for, they may allow you to have a flexible schedule so that you can take classes. Most places don’t pay for books. That you’ll have to do on your own. But…here’s another tip: ask your professor if they have extra books. The book reps give them extra books or they order them and use them for planning their courses. Depending on their mood and if you’ve explained your situation politely, you may be able to get something. The cost of these things is no joke so always be sure to ask. 4) There are other scholarships available for older students who have not yet received a degree. Check the FinAid website (http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/older.phtml). 5) Even though this site (ISEEK) is targeted towards Minnesotans it is very well organized and has a wealth of information regarding financial aid and planning your education (http://www.iseek.org/sv/20125.jsp). What I’m sure you’ll find MOST IMPORTANT is that they have information on Dislocated Worker Funds and WIA Grants. Click on Eligibility Required and then on Dislocated Worker. Again, even though most of this is geared towards Minnesotans, it still gives you an idea of where to turn in your own state. 6) Don’t forget about the good old Federal Pell Grants. Below is some info about them. ********************** Eligibility Requirements: To Students with family incomes up to $50,000 may be eligible for Pell Grants. However, most Pell awards go to students with family incomes below $20,000. There is no charge to apply for a Federal Pell Grant. Do a search for Pell grants to see the application information. Good luck!