Some people due to some limitations for work are planning to return to school, however, those who are unemployed or have a low source of income might even find it more difficult to do this. The good news is that there are several grants to go back to school for unemployed, and these grants can go a long way to pay part or your full fee, some of them can also pay for other expenses like feeding, accommodation, books, insurance, etc.
There is always financial assistance annually to students, including unemployed students, and the first step to taking advantage of these grants is by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you reside in the U.S.
Just like scholarships for women returning to school and for moms, grants are not meant to be repaid, but unlike scholarships, grants mostly pay less attention to academic performance, their focus is usually on the financial stability of applicants.
Moreover, if you intend to enroll in a Nursing School, there are some government grants for you, and if you’re a single mom, we believe one of these government help will be perfect for you.
Table of Contents
Grants to go Back to School for Unemployed
1. Federal Pell Grant
You must have heard of this grant, and it is also eligible for unemployed students who intend to go back to school.
Award: $6.895
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Applicable to applicants who have not received their first bachelor’s degree or who are enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate programs that lead to teacher certification or licensure.
2. TEACH Grants
Award: Up to $4,000 annually
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: To be eligible for these grants to go back to school for unemployed applicants need to agree to teach at a low-income elementary or secondary school as a highly qualified teacher, full-time for at least four years. Applicants also need to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, have a minimum CGPA of 3.25, and must sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS).
3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Award: Range from $100 to $4,000 per award year
Number of Recipients: Varies among universities
Eligibility: To be considered for this grant, you need to fall in the category of undergraduates with the greatest financial need – students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) who also receive Federal Pell Grants.
4. Washington College Grant
Award: Award amounts vary based on income, family size, and the school or program attended.
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: To qualify for these grants to go back to school for unemployed you need to be a Washington resident (including undocumented people), be a recent high school graduate or working-age adult, and be a low- to middle-income family and individual. Also, applicants need to plan to attend an approved certificate program, job training, apprenticeship, or college, part-time or full-time.
5. Cal Grant Programs
Award: Varies
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Besides the fact that submitting the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application is one of the criteria for being eligible, applicants also need to be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. The candidate needs to attend a qualifying California college, not have a bachelor’s or professional degree, not be incarcerated, and many more.
6. Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
The BTEA helps those who are unemployed, parenting alone, or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to enroll in a second or third-level education course and get a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Award: Varies
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Applicants must be over 21, or over 24 for postgraduate courses, and have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment.
7. Minnesota State Grant
Award: Varies
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: First of all, you need to intend to attend or are already enrolled in one of the more than 130 eligible Institutions in Minnesota, be graduates of a secondary school or its equivalent, or are at least 17 years of age
8. Dependents And Spouses Of Public Safety Officers
If your Spouse or parent served as a police officer and later got a permanent injury or was disabled then this grant should be for you. Unemployed students are also considered.
Award: Up to 100% of tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 124 semester credit hours
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: To be eligible for these scholarships to return to school for unemployed, you need to be an individual whose father, mother, or spouse served as a PSO and was killed in the line of duty; or An individual whose parent, or spouse:
- Is a member of the 1977 fund;
- Sustained a catastrophic physical personal injury in the line of duty;
- Was a state police officer and suffered a permanent injury or total disability.
9. Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant
These grants to go back to school for the unemployed focus on students who have children 12 and under who are not receiving assistance under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and who demonstrate financial need for grants, to help pay for child care while pursuing postsecondary education.
Award: Maximum award of $6,500 per eligible child per academic year
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Applicants must meet state residency requirements, be enrolled in any accredited university, or college in Minnesota, and will not be receiving tuition reciprocity benefits from another state.
10. HEA – Fund for Students with Disabilities
If your disability has made you unemployed, this FSD provided by the Higher Education Authority in Ireland will help you to return to school with financial assistance and other resources. Students from Ireland can also study in other EU countries including the UK.
Award: Varies
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: To be eligible you must have a verifiable disability, must meet the nationality and residency criteria, and be a participant on a full-time, or part-time (Republic of Ireland only), course.
11. Student Assistance Fund
Award: Funding amounts vary and will be determined by your college following an assessment process.
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: This grant is eligible for students enrolled in higher education in Irish universities, institutes of technology, and other approved colleges.
Conclusion
Note that, Minnesota is not the only State that provides grants to return to school for unemployed, some other states also provide these Grants.
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