How To Find College Grants For Senior Citizens – A lot of seniors today are opting for late retirement therefore there is a huge need for elderly people to upgrade their qualifications and learn new skill sets. Even institutions and organizations are taking part in different college grants for senior citizens so that senior education is accessible.
This guide will help you explore various educational grants for seniors in the United States and how you can qualify for college grants for senior citizens.
Highlights of this Post
Why Need College Grants For Senior Citizens To Further Education?
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elderly people and senior citizens in the United States are expected to increase in the labor force to a great extent by 2024. One of the biggest growth in the labor force of the United States is expected among people who are aged between 65 and 74 years as well as those who are aged 75 and above.
The United States workforce has been changing with each passing day. Seniors and older individuals who are looking to learn new skills or switch careers will find it the right moment to take advantage of college grants for senior citizens and adult learning opportunities.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria For College Grants For Senior Citizens?
The eligibility criteria for college grants for senior citizens depends on the organization that is awarding the college grants for senior citizens and the particular program you’re applying for.
While some college grants for senior citizens require seniors to showcase strong financial needs to qualify as they are based on the financial status of the applicant, other college grants for senior citizens are merit-based which means they are awarded to senior citizens with excellent academic achievements.
Senior citizens need to demonstrate a robust financial need by submitting the FAFSA within the deadline and should enroll themselves in a certificate or degree program at an eligible institution to qualify for college grants for senior citizens.
They are required to be United States citizens or qualified citizens, and must not be a defaulter on student loans to meet the satisfactory academic progress and other essential eligibility criteria to qualify for college grants for senior citizens. Further, they should be enrolled part-time or full-time in a participating school or degree program in the USA.
What Are The Available College Grants for Senior Citizens?
Furthering your college education as a senior citizen will give you a new perspective in life and a possibly new career as well. By acquiring a college degree you can move towards a better career or even get a promotion.
However, college degrees can be expensive for senior citizens with limited sources of earnings or savings. Here comes the role of college grants for senior citizens.
If you are 55 years or above then completing a college education can still be an option for you as you can take advantage of numerous scholarship programs and college grants for senior citizens that are available for nontraditional and older students in the United States.
Looking for government grants for low-income seniors? Following is the list of college grants for senior citizens that you can apply for.
Federal College Grants For Senior Citizens
1. Federal Pell Grants
The federal Pell Grant has been in existence since 1972 and is one of the biggest sources of college educational funding. Pell Grant is a federal educational assistance program that offers millions of impoverished students including senior citizens a great chance to continue their education.
The best thing is that elderly people looking for government grants for disabled seniors can also qualify for the Pell College grants for senior citizens.
To be eligible for the Pell College grants for senior citizens you need to file FAFSA and show a financial need. Senior citizens who complete the application and get approval can easily qualify for the federal Pell Grant program.
The grant award for the 2011 academic year was $5550. To apply for Pell College grants for senior citizens visit the Department Of Education (.gov)
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Pell-eligible senior citizens can qualify for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant if they are looking for college grants for high school seniors and need additional funds to sponsor their education and afford a college degree.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity College Grants for senior citizens like the federal Pell Grant is a need-based college grant for senior citizens. Senior citizens who are eligible for the program can receive a grant award ranging between $100 to $4000 during the course year.
The only difference between the Pell College grants for senior citizens and FSEOG is that funds for the latter are limited to a particular amount and awarded to students on a first-come first-served basis. Senior citizens with low expected family contributions are eligible for the program. To apply, call 1-800-621-3115 or visit the official site of the US Department of Education.
3. Academic Competitiveness Grant
Pell-eligible senior citizens can qualify for the Academic Competitiveness Grant. This is a merit-based grant which is available to senior citizens who are undergoing a college degree.
The grant award is entitled to $750 in their first year of college while in their second year of college, they are granted nearly $1300. Senior citizens with a grade point average of 3.0 can qualify for this grant. To know more about ACG college grants for senior citizens contact 1-800-433-3243 or visit the official site of the US Department of Education.
4. National SMART Grant, The National Science And Mathematics Access To Retain Talent Grant
Merit-based college grants for senior citizens that are available for those who are Pell Grant eligible are known as the National Smart Grant. Eligible candidates can receive assistance up to $4000 during their major and senior college years.
Senior students have to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and select majors in various disciplines like science, technology, or mathematics which are regarded to be high-need areas to qualify for these college grants for senior citizens.
5. Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The federal TEACH college grants for senior citizens help eligible students to become a teacher at the elementary or secondary level. Nontraditional students including senior citizens who are above 50 years are eligible to apply for the program and enter the teaching profession.
The TEACH grant program provides you a chance to give back to the community and serve as a full-time teacher in a highly required field in a low-income area for a minimum of four years. If you are unable to fulfill this grant agreement then the financial assistance will be converted into an unsubsidized loan and you need to repay the grant with interest.
The grand award is said to be $4000 per academic year for senior citizens who have enrolled as undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or undergraduate students in a participating school.
State College Grants For Senior Citizens
A lot of states provide education grants including college grants for senior citizens and help them to cover the education expenses and tuition fees required to attend a college.
Senior citizens need to meet their residency requirements. In other words, they must reside in a particular state to receive the award that comes along with college grants for senior citizens.
Several states have different educational programs that offer college grants for senior citizens. You need to research the college grants for senior citizens that are available in your state by visiting the state’s official website or the United States Department of Education website.
Organizations offer College Grants For Senior Citizens
1. Alpha Sigma Lambda
The Alpha Sigma Lambda offers a scholarship award worth $3500 to older adults who want to pursue an undergraduate degree and are looking for suitable college grants for senior citizens.
Alpha Singh Lambda is a premier nationally recognized foundation for adult learners with a rich history of 75 years or more. The foundation helps nontraditional and older students across the United States and gives them an excellent chance to fulfill their educational goals. To contact, call (217) 581-7106.
2. Executive Women International (EWI)
Executive Women International offers college grants for senior citizens in the form of the Adult Students In Scholastic Transition Grant that is available for senior women only. Senior women who want to pursue an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree or a certification program in a particular career path can apply for the grant.
The foundation strives to create a positive impact on the personal life, family, employment, and community of the eligible applicants. To learn more email at [email protected] or call 262.269.5625.
3. AARP American Association Of Retired Persons
A nonprofit organization known as the American Association Of Retired Persons in the United States supports elderly people and middle-aged individuals by providing them with tools for college grants for senior citizens and scholarship programs.
Older adults aged 45 years or above with financial need can acquire college grants for senior citizens from the foundation. You need to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree at an accredited vocational-technical school to qualify. To apply visit the official AARP website.
4. JRSF, Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
The Jeannette Rankin Scholarship Fund is available for senior women who are 35 years old and above. If you’re a senior elderly woman with robust financial need and want to pursue an associate, bachelor’s, vocational, or technical education you can apply for the college grants for senior citizens and scholarships offered by JRSF. The college grants for senior citizens are based on the academic skills and the financial need of the students.
The foundation awards grants up to $2000 per academic year and can be received five times so a total grant of $10,000 can be received. To apply for college grants for senior citizens visit the official site of the foundation.
5. Globe University Senior Citizen Scholarships
Senior citizens who are 62 years or above can receive the Global University Senior Citizen Scholarship. A grant award of $1940 per quarter is given to eligible seniors to cover their college tuition for up to four quarters.
Senior citizens who receive assistance through this program and are undertaking individual classes will be given on-degree-seeking status so they are not eligible to apply for the yearly financial aid.
However, students who receive assistance from this program and are enrolled in a particular course will be considered degree-seeking students and can apply for yearly financial aid and meet other criteria set by the university. To know more about the college grants for senior citizens visit the official website of the university.
6. Northern Michigan University, Senior Citizen Scholarships
Senior citizens who are 62 years or above can apply for the Northern Michigan University Senior Citizen Scholarship to pursue a degree at a recognized college or university in Michigan.
This is a full tuition fee scholarship that is awarded to senior citizens who want to continue their education. The scholarship covers tuition fees for on-campus classes and does not provide help with books, off-campus classes, or web-based classes.
Older adults who are interested in college grants for senior citizens or scholarships can call 906-227-2650 or email [email protected].
7. Methodist University, Senior Citizen Scholarship
Senior citizens who are 65 years or above are eligible to apply for this scholarship program. Applicants must be officially accepted by the Methodist University to receive assistance. Eligible students can get their tuition fees waived by the university.
If you’re eligible for financial aid or federal college grants for senior citizens then the assistance amount will be subtracted from the tuition fee first and the rest of the tuition fee will be covered by the university.
To learn more about college grants for senior citizens visit https://www.methodist.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/aid-types/senior-citizens/.
8. Wallace Community College Selma Senior Citizens Scholarships
Senior citizens 65 years old and above can get free tuition at Wallace Community College through the Senior Citizens Scholarship Program. The best thing about applying for such college grants for senior citizens is that you need not go through a stringent application procedure and get into the technical division of the college.
If you’re applying for a particular field of study you may get assistance through this program. To apply for such college grants for senior citizens visit https://www.wccs.edu/apply.
Conclusion
The United States Department of Education is the first and foremost place that senior citizens should visit while applying for college grants for senior citizens at the federal, state, or local level. Being a senior citizen you can take advantage of numerous grants, scholarships, and learning opportunities before resorting to student debt or loans which are required to be repaid with interest. The federal college grants for senior citizens are sufficient to pay for your college education therefore before opting for help from other government agencies begin your search with the federal grant programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Senior Citizens Get Free Tuition?
There are many states in the USA which encourage seniors and elderly people to complete their education and so they offer discounted or free classes at public colleges or universities within the state. The rules may vary from one state to another. Senior citizens who are interested in pursuing a college degree are eligible to get big discounts on college tuition for senior.
Are There College Grants For Senior Citizens?
Yes, there are various college grants for senior citizens from different sources such as the federal government, state funding, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and even private funding. Every foundation or organization that provides college learning to seniors has particular eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill.
What Are Institutional Grants For Seniors?
College grants for senior citizens by institutions are provided by colleges and universities in the United States that are based on the financial need and merit of the college student. Senior citizens with exceptional financial needs and unable to afford their college expenses can speak to the financial aid counselor at their respective colleges and learn the type of college grants for senior citizens available to them.