Need help with scholarships & grants

[AlecBGreen]

Hi! :hi:

I'm a high school Biology and Earth Science teacher in Virginia. Since I graduated with a Bio degree, I need to go back and take 18 college credits in education. Also, since I teach Earth Science, I need to go back and take 18 credits of Geology, Astronomy, etc. 18 + 8 = 36 college credits, and I need them in 3 years. I can do them on-line and in the summer so its no sweat. Here's the rub -

My wife and I are living off my income (she is a full-time student) so we are obviosuly living on a limited budget. As such, Im trying to find as many grants & scholarships (and loans) to pay for these classes. Does anyone know of grants/loans/scholarships specifically for people in my situation i.e. low-income, working teacher going back to college? I found plenty of websites offering loans ("low interest! pay back over time!" :eyes: ) but Id like to get as much as I can as a grant or scholarship.

Any DU'ers out there who can help? Thanks guys!

-Alec

[AlecBGreen]

1. WHOOPS!

how did this get in here? Isnt this the lounge? Where am I? Who are you people?

lol

Mods, could you move this for me? Thanks (and sorry!)

[northzax]

2. if you take two classes

at a time, you can get federal loans, and no one offers better interest rates (plus take tax deductions on the interest...) but you have to be at least half time.

I know there are options for teachers as well under NCLB, ask your local teacher's college for help.

[dflprincess]

3. Have you filled out the FAFSA form yet?

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

[China_cat]

4. Do you belong to a union

or have a first degree relative who belongs to a union? Several of them have scholarship programs.

[nealmhughes]

5. Financial Aid professionals will be at every college and university in the nation.

You really need to talk to them in person, regarding your particular circumstances.

One thing you also need to realize is if this is a graduate degree you are pursuing, the tuition will be much steeper than your undergrad degree.

I'm no expert, except for the owing part of loans, which even with a stipend and half tutition remission during grad school (99-03), plus a desire to eat food, I owe something like $50K. Part of that is also undergrad tuition, also, but graduate education is much more expensive!

Best advice is go to whichever school you propose to attend and then talk to the financial aid folks there. That is what they are paid to do for a living!

[jtrockville]

6. Fastweb.com

is a good resource

[AlecBGreen]

7. great suggestions so far!

thanks!

I talked to our central office and they dont have anyone whose job is helping new teachers. Funny, because we got 26 just this year alone...at ONE high school! With the No Child Left Behind act, one would think they'd be interested in getting their teachers certified :shrug:

Also checked out my union (National Educators Association (NEA) & the VA version (VEA). Neither offers help to its members for going back to school.

Im in touch with my fraternity, trying to see if I can get some money out of them.

Between all the organizations, institutions, grants, awards, scholarships, etc Im sure I can find a way to pay for most of this with nothing coming out my pocket. Its just going to take a lot of digging.

Thanks again for all the help evilDUers!
-Alec