If you are a student or scholarship seeker
Grants for education are also called scholarships and are a form of financial aid.
Here is information about references for scholarships, loans, and funding for travel and study abroad.
Before visiting the Donors Forum
There are two places you should visit if you haven't already done so.
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If you are a high school student, you should talk to your guidance counselor. Counselors can provide information on the financial aid forms you need to fill out, along with other information on scholarships.
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Visit the financial aid office of the school you plan to attend. A good percentage of private scholarship funds are awarded directly by colleges and universities to their own students. The financial aid officer can fill you in on this type of funding, as well as help you plan your scholarship search.
Types of financial aid include:
- direct financial assistance from the college or university
- federal and state subsidized loans and grants
- work-study programs
- support from local clubs, alumni organizations, and religious groups
- corporate scholarships or tuition-aid programs for employees and their children
- foundations, through colleges and universities
Other information sources
Harold Washington College
30 East Lake Street
312-553-3000
National and international college catalogs, scholarship listings, transfer guides, application materials, and other transfer-related resources. Computerized resources: (a college/career exploration program), START, PEPSI, and HORIZONS scholarship databases, and the College Planner.
The Harold Washington Public Library
400 South State Street
312-747-4690
Significant collection of materials relating to student aid: Education area, sixth floor.
Search the Donors Forum Library catalog online
Because our mission is service to the nonprofit community and philanthropic sector, our resources for students and individuals are quite limited. Some research pointers:
- Study the introductions and scan the indexes for terms that apply to you and your intended field of study.
- Read the description of each funding source interested in your field, noting geographic limits and other eligibility requirements.
- Approach only those funders that match your needs.
Web Resources
The Chicago Public Library
Lists many links to websites covering general information about scholarships and federal sources.
Finaid: The Financial Aid Information Page
Links to funding sources such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants, some of which are focused toward those with particular needs or interests such as disabled, minorities, and international students.
Petersons.com: Pay for School
Provides guidance and answers to frequently-asked questions on financial aid, as well as information on organizations that offer private and federal loans.
Petersons.com: Scholarship Central
Petersons' searchable database of more than 1.7 million college scholarships, awards, grants, and prizes.
Academic Research Information System
Provides both undergraduate and graduate students with information on scholarships, fellowships, grants, and internships in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
Fastweb
A scholarship search engine that prompts users to enter information about themselves, including area of study, and responds with an appropriate list of available scholarships.
In addition, here are some sources to research the financial aid process and specific organizations that award education grants: