I'm working towards getting my GED instead of a traditional high school diploma. Are there specific scholarships available for students like me who want to go to college?
Absolutely! Students with a GED are eligible for plenty of scholarships. While some scholarships are strictly for traditional high school seniors, there are many that include GED earners among their potential awardees. Here are few examples:
1. The Horatio Alger National Career and Technical Scholarship Program: This program offers scholarships for students who have faced and overcome great obstacles, including those getting GEDs.
2. Imagine America Scholarship Program: This program offers scholarships to non-traditional students, including those who are pursuing their GEDs. The awards are designed for students attending participating career colleges.
3. The Coca-Cola Scholarship Program: Despite its reputation for being targeted at high-performing high school students, this scholarship program is open to all, including those with a GED credential.
Remember, individual colleges and universities also often have their own scholarships for non-traditional students. You would need to check a school's financial aid website or contact their financial aid office directly for the most accurate information.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is another excellent resource you should not ignore. Many people wrongly assume that only traditional students are eligible for financial aid, but students with a GED can likewise apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities through the FAFSA.
Lastly, there are many scholarship databases out there that you can use, such as Fastweb, Scholarship.com, or Appily, which can help you search for scholarships based on various eligibility criteria, including being a GED student! Keep in mind that scholarship searches should be free—avoid services that charge a fee.
At the end of the day, it might take a bit more legwork to locate all your options, but they certainly exist. Happy Scholarship Hunting!
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