If you are married and haven't yet completed your college education, you can receive a grant to help pay for your tuition. Although many college grants require the student to live on campus, this is not the case for all grants. If you are trying to balance the cost of college, start a family and live on a small income, a grant can help you achieve your goals.
Jacob K. Javits Fellowships for Arts and Humanities
The Jacob K. Javits Fellowships are stipends for graduate work that cover the cost of personal expenses and tuition, and are awarded to undergraduate students in college, or first-year graduate students. United States citizens are eligible and the recipients are chosen based on merit, financial need and "exceptional promise." The fellowships are to be used in the social sciences, humanities and arts. Applicants are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FASFA, before they can then begin applying for the grant. Applications are accepted between August and September.
Jacob K. Javits Fellowships Program
1990 K Street, N.W., Room 6089
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 502-7542
ope_javits_program@ed.gov
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students provides funds to college students in pursuit of a medical career, and is based on the student's income. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, income requirements are determined by "the annual income being below a level based on low income thresholds according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of Census, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index." This threshold will vary depending on the state in which you reside. For married students with a family, this is an opportunity to receive full-time scholarships plus expenses to complete their degree. To qualify, you must be a United States citizen and either a prospective student or currently enrolled in pursuit of a degree in the medical field, which includes aspiring dietary science, mental health, veterinary medicine, or the allied health fields, such as dentistry. You can apply for the grant at your school's financial aid office.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to college students with a financial need, or who are close to the poverty level. You can apply for this grant when you fill out the FASFA application; receipt is given in the form of a stipend check. This is typically not a large grant and is awarded based on financial need. The income requirements for applicants vary from state to state as there is no standard income threshold. The only way to determine if you qualify for this grant is to apply. This grant does not require you to reside on campus, and is accepted at approximately 5,000 different colleges and universities.
Grant Exceptions for Married College Students
Colleges and universities that issue their own grants sometimes require students to reside on campus. You should always check with all of the universities you are interested in attending, as some colleges will allow students to qualify for a grant even if they are not residing on campus. This is the case for Columbia College in Missouri. If you are a minority, you can always apply for minority-specific grants, which will not penalize you for being married. According to Gov.Benefits.gov, there are over 60 federally funded grant, fellowship and scholarship programs.
