HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FLORIDA THE EDUCATION CHANNEL

Scholarships can be confusing for parents, but they can save them thousands of dollars. There are different forms of scholarships, but all of them are essentially gifted money for college. Unlike loans, scholarships don't have to be repaid. Some scholarships are paid to the student, while others go directly to the university. Scholarships are awarded by government, clubs, charities, businesses, schools, and other organizations.

Who can get scholarships?

Scholarship isn't limited to straight-A students, and many students who believe that they aren't academically qualified fail to apply for scholarships in their schools. There are, however, different types of scholarships for all students, including those with less-than-perfect academic records. There are athletic scholarships, scholarships aimed at students in a particular field of study -- why, some providers give scholarships just for living in a particular state or city. Another misconception about scholarship is that only college-bound high school seniors are allowed to apply for awards. Scholarship is available to all levels of college study, from freshmen undergrads to graduate and even PhD students.

Scholarship Grants for Nursing Students.

There are four types of financial aid available to meet the educational expenses of nursing students: scholarships, grants, work study and education loans. Most nursing students use a combination of all four to fund their education.

• Scholarships are awarded based on everything from special abilities to your religion. There are many sources of scholarships, and an Internet search should uncover a number of scholarship providers.
• Here's how to get the scholarship you want:
• • Take initiative.

If you want to a scholarship, you'll need to do the legwork yourself – no one's going to track you down just to give you a scholarship. Look for scholarship grants whose criteria you meet, and then contact the provider and request a scholarship application packet. Applications may be requested by e-mail by sending in a self-addressed stamped envelope. You'll never get a scholarship if you don't try, so be proactive in requesting information for yourself.

• • Be punctual.

All scholarships providers set deadlines to which you must adhere, or else you'll lose any chance of getting the scholarship. Don’t miss the deadlines – if you can submit all the required materials before the due date, do so.