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Paralegal Grants Eligibility and Ways To Get It » ParalegalSalaryFactsheet.com
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Paralegal Grants Eligibility and Ways To Get It


Despite what the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' claims on employment growth opportunities in the field of criminal justice, particularly on paralegal studies, some students are thinking twice whether to pursue a paralegal career considering the high costs of education involved in completing the training.

Therefore, your answer is to seek for financial aid for paralegal studies in order to support your education. Your primary step is to check whether you qualify in any of the available scholarships and federal student loans using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms available online or in your school's financial aid programs.

Following is a list of ways on how to secure college money or paralegal scholarships and grants that might help you get into your program of choice.

Find Out More About Financial Aid From The Paralegal Schools Below

College Scholarships

Because many students apply for college scholarships, it is crucial that you start your own application the soonest possible time. What makes these scholarships worthwhile is that you do not have to pay for your college fees even after you complete your program. Consider checking the following websites for more information on associations that provide paralegal grants:

  • National Federation of Paralegal Associations
  • American Association for Paralegal Education

Financial Grants

Being awarded a grant is one of the best ways to secure free money for college because you do not have to pay back a grant after completing your education. There are thousands of federal grant programs and companies offering grants in the US and all you have to do is be very active in searching and applying for one. Considering that many students apply for various scholarships and grants, you can expect that competition will be tough. Therefore, the earlier you prepare and submit your credentials, the better your chances will be. For starters, complete a FAFSA form and begin your application.

Student Loans

Unlike grants and scholarships, you need to repay your college loans after you have completed your course of study, although payment usually commences six months after graduation. What the federal government does is to control the maximum amount of interest that banks and other lending agencies can charge on federal student loans and as a result, college loans become lower than regular loans.

Types of Student Loans

Stafford Loan

A very common type of loan for criminal justice and paralegal students, this can be government-subsidized or unsubsidized that is largely dependent on a student's financial capacity at the onset of the loan application. It includes the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan) and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) that are low-interest loans directly borrowed from the US Department of Education. The aim is to help students cover the costs of high college fees in community colleges, technical schools, and 4-year colleges or universities.

Private Loan

Unlike Stafford loans that offer low-interest rates, private loans offer high loan limits for students. However, the disadvantage is that interest rate starts to accumulate as soon as the loan is released to the student. Still, this is a preferred option than using credit card when paying for college education.

PLUS Loan

This type of loan is paid through the Stafford Loan program and is mostly geared for parents who pay for the student's college fees. Thus, it is the parents who apply for this loan type and a proof that the student is financially dependent on the parent must be presented during application.

Work-Study Program

This type of financial aid requires you to work for the sponsoring company until you complete your paralegal degree. This is a great chance for you to beef up your resume and to learn more about a paralegal's job while studying. If your sponsoring company sees that you have the potential, then there is a bigger chance of you being hired a regular employee.

Educational costs should not intimidate you considering that there are many companies willing to sponsor professionals and students in their paralegal training in support of the improvement of the criminal justice system in the country. All you need is the determination in finding various paralegal grants and scholarships and you will soon be on your way to a financially lucrative career in criminal justice.

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