Perhaps the most common source of scholarship and grant assistance for low-income students is the Pell Grant, which is offered through the United States federal government. Pell Grants are awarded in varying amounts according to need. In order to be eligible, a student must be enrolled at an accredited institution as an undergraduate. A student must also fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, in order to qualify for the Pell Grant. Following submission of a FAFSA, a student will receive a Student Aid Report specifying whether or not they are eligible for a Pell Grant. Interested students should visit the U.S. Department of Education website for more information.
Department of Education Building
400 Maryland Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20202
800-872-5327
ed.gov
National Medical Fellowships Inc. provides educational grants to financially needy medical students through the NMF Need-Based Scholarship Program. In order to be eligible, a student must be in their first or second year of medical school. These scholarships are awarded to those students with the greatest financial need, and take into account a student's total resources, including a student's income, spousal support, parental support and other scholarship assistance. The amount of NMF Need-Based Scholarships ranges from $1,000 to $10,000. The annual deadline for application is August 31. Interested students should visit the NMF website for details.
National Medical Fellowships Inc.
Need-Based Scholarship Program
347 Fifth Ave., Suite 510
New York, NY 10016
212-483-8880, ext. 304
nmfonline.org
The military also provides need-based scholarships to low-income military personnel returning to school. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, for instance, sponsors the Joseph A. McAlinden Divers Scholarship, a need-based educational grant that provides $500 to $3,000 to a student pursuing a degree in oceanography, ocean agriculture or aquaculture. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. There is no application deadline for the Joseph A. McAlinden Divers Scholarship. Interested students should visit the NMCRS website to submit an electronic application. The NMCRS also offers need-based scholarships to children and widows of former Navy and Marine personnel. Other branches of the military offer similar assistance to both current and former military personnel and their families, so low-income students with connections to the military may want to begin their scholarship search there.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
875 North Randolph St., Suite 225
Arlington VA 22203-1757
703-696-4960
nmcrs.org