Tuition grants provide assistance to students who might otherwise not be able to afford a college education. Unlike student loans, these funds do not have to be repaid after graduation, making them a very sought-after form of funding.
Tuition grants are one form of funding that has wide support from both private and public funders. In a vast majority of the cases, these funds are disbursed to the educational institutions, which are then charged with publicizing the programs and screening the applicants.
The base funding for tuition grants whether from public or private organizations, usually requires some measurement of, or requirement for, minimum attendance and scholastic success. They generally use financial need or a defined disability as the qualifying parameter for application.
Tuition grants, that is, those that are specifically used to assist with tuition payments as opposed to those that pay for supplies, books or transportation, are extremely competitive. It is wise to obtain a copy of the requirements well in advance of need and assemble any required documentation before making a formal application. This can include proof of income of both the applicant and their family members, for financial need applications, or proof of disability.
Charitable foundations and corporate employee assistance programs may also offer tuition grants as well. Students interested in a particular course of study, such as nursing, engineering or technology, may apply to organizations centered in those areas. Some foundations or employers will require the student to pay all or part of the semester tuition, and will then issue a reimbursement check upon satisfactory completion of the course work for that semester.
Occasionally, a type of tuition grant may be obtained from a city or county in exchange for a promise to work in the funded field. Although this funding is usually categorized as a grant by the funder, it does require an in-kind exchange of services. This is sometimes a source of funding for medical students. In exchange for tuition funding, the student will agree to provide medical services for a specified period of time after graduation.
