If you are attending an accredited college of golf within the United States you may qualify for a range of federal, state or private financial support and aid. When applying, be aware that If the college is accredited, there is the option for students to apply for federal grants, loans and university-based scholarship. There may also be options to work while attending school, helping to offset the requirement of grants or loans. In addition, it is important for students to keep in mind that these Associate degree programs can be completed in 16 months of full time study, resulting in much less cost than two or four year degree programs that have very high tuition and living costs.
Students attending a college of golf that have an active duty military service background are also eligible for a range of financial aid options through their military branch. Information on what financial aid is available is provided through the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Air Force websites. The US Department of Veterans Affairs also provides information on current funding options for active duty and veterans that are interested in returning to school. As these guidelines do change frequently it is essential to work with both your Veterans Affairs office as well as the college to determine what financial assistance you are eligible for at the time of admission.
Grants and scholarships for students are also a key factor in obtaining financial aid to offset your return to school. Generally, most grants and scholarships have either a need base or a merit base. Needs based scholarships or grants are based on the financial ability of the student or his or her family, if applicable, to fully or partially fund the cost of the tuition and fees. A merit based grant or scholarship is focused more on academic achievement in earning the option to apply for the funds. A few scholarships and grants may actually have a combination of needs and merit requirements. Private loans through financial institutes can also be an option for some students that do not qualify for either needs or merit based financial aid.
The most common types of grants in higher education are the Federal Pell Grant or the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Both require that a student demonstrate a financial need for assistance to attend the college of golf, just as with any other academic program. This is done through an online application that requires information on income tax, earnings, assets and possibility information on the same for a spouse or the parent if the student is living at home. Typically, these grants are only available to students that currently do not have a degree, which is generally the case for those working on an Associate degree program. States may also offer both grants and scholarships to students. These types of grants or scholarships will be automatically determined when students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA required for any federal financial assistance.
Scholarships through private organizations may also be an important consideration. Many golf and country clubs, professional organizations in a community, alumni groups or other community-based groups provide yearly scholarships to students. These may be need or merit based and they are a great way to provide additional income when attending the college of golf. Since these are scholarships they are not required to be paid back, adding to your options for paying for tuition without leaving you with education debt after graduation.
Sandy Winslow is a writer in a variety of areas, including specialized colleges and financial aid. Do your research before applying to a college of golf.