Online Medical Classes

Are there other free grants out there other than the Pell Grant?

I am trying to get into Career Step for medical transcription training. They take the Pell Grant, but I am afraid I won't qualify for it. They also have a loan program, but since it is possible that I won't be employed right out of training, I am afraid I won't be able to make the loan payments. My annual income last year was $50,000, but we are barely making ends meet on a week to week basis. We don't spend on extras. We are barely able to get groceries and pay bills at the same time.

Public Comments

1. Complete the FAFSA to see if you qualify.
2. Terrilynn: There are a number of grant programs in the Federal Student Aid program, but unfortunately, they are all so-called "need-based" forms of financial aid. If you don't qualify for the Pell Grant, you're not going to qualify for these other forms of grants, because they use the same award criteria. As the other respondent suggested, you should definitely complete the FAFSA, because your income is just one part of the complex analysis that determines your financial aid eligibility. Contrary to sometimes popular belief, there is no "income cut-off" that makes you ineligible. There are 104 question on this year's FAFSA application, and ALL of that information goes into determining what types of aid you will qualify for. Good luck to you, and I hope your financial circumstances improve soon, too.