Deciding to further one’s education is a major decision that has the potential to open a wide array of options for one in the future. A higher education can provide an individual with the chance to advance more rapidly in an employment field and place an individual in a position to receive higher earnings. One of the greatest obstacles that individuals face as they weigh the pro’s and con’s of returning to school is deciding whether the cost of an advanced education will be worth it in the long run. One way to defray the costs of a higher education is through minority education grants. Minority education grants do not have to be repaid.
Below are few keys steps to locating and applying for minority education grants.
- Check with each of the educational institutions that you may attend to see what education grants for minorities are available. Minority education grants are often held by and provided directly to students meeting a university’s or college’s requirements. These education grants for minorities have either been allocated by the federal government or by private foundations to the school to administer and monitor.
- Begin researching private foundations that award minority education grants to students who meet additional criteria that you possess. For example, if have been a victim of intimate partner violence or a single mother a number of foundations offer minority education grants to individuals that meet these criteria. A great source for locating information on foundations that offer support of minority education grants lies in the review of these institutions’ 990 Tax Forms. For example, Foundation Center offers a free database to access these tax forms.
Foundation Center 990 Tax Forms provide you with information on the areas of interest, the geographical region, and the recent monetary allocations that each particular foundation typically supports. Additionally, 990’s also provide you with the most current contact information for these potential funders. Your goal is to match your qualities with a foundation that supports education grants to minorities. - Look closely into minority educational grant opportunities that are industry-education specific. For example, several foundations provide funding to African American individuals that wish to or are pursuing an education in the nursing field; the March of Dimes offers grants, scholarships, and awards and the National Black Nurses Association offers grant awards of $500-$2000 For more information on the National Black Nurses Association’s minority education grants visit: NBNA For more information on the March of Dimes’ minority education grants visit: March of Dimes
- Once you have completed your research, you will need to begin drafting either a letter of inquiry to the private foundations or completing an application for funding. As you complete your letters or applications, ensure that you fulfill all of the requests stated in the announcements to increase your chances of obtaining an educational grant for minorities.
- You may also want to consider having a professional grant writer review your letters of inquiry or applications for a minority education grant prior to submission.
Register to get instant access to the latest grant opportunities. Our research team adds new grant opportunities daily. In addition, we provide resources on grant writing and the best approach to winning a grant. This membership fee is a low price of $29.95 an extremely fair price for what you will receive.
Our membership fee also comes with a GUARANTEE which states: If you apply for funding using one of the applications you find on our website and you don’t receive funding, your membership fees will be refunded to you immediately. All you have to do is provide us with the name of the funding opportunity you applied for and a copy of the rejection letter you received from the funder.