Financial Aid for Arizona College Students
Scholarships & Grants
Arizona's name may have come from an Aztec word meaning "silver-bearing"; appropriately, individuals from and those already studying in the state can find many different sources of cash streams to fund their higher education desires.
Needs-Based
If you are a graduate of a two-year Arizona Community College who is planning on attending a private baccalaureate school, you can apply for an Arizona Private Postsecondary Education Student Financial Assistance Program grant. The award is typically $750-$1,500 and you must provide proof that you're financially in need.
For students who are financially needy who are already enrolled in and/or attending postsecondary Arizona vocational, technical, two-year, or four-year institutes of higher education, the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) could be a good choice. Monies range from $100 to $2,500.
The Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education has a site with further detail.
Privately Operated Businesses
Are you a dependent of an American Society of Travel Agents member in Arizona? If so, you may be able to apply for the Arizona Chapter Dependent/Employee Membership Scholarship. This $1,500 award is open to those with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who are residents of Arizona, out of high school, and attending or planning to attend an Arizona institute of higher education.
If you're an Arizona resident working toward a degree in tourism or travel from a four-year Arizona college or university, you can apply for the Arizona Chapter Gold Scholarship. If you are offered the award, you'll receive $3,000 to apply toward your in-state schooling. One caveat - you must already be enrolled and at least in your second year; freshmen are not eligible.
Institute-Specific
The Arizona Community College Scholarship offers monies to state high school students who demonstrate strong academic backgrounds as well as a record of community service and volunteer activities. These $500 scholarships are only available to those who plan on attending a two-year Arizona community college.
If you're already enrolled at a four-year Arizona college or university and are pursuing a degree in education, health sciences, or social sciences, you may be eligible for the Anne Lindeman Memorial Scholarship. There are three awards of $1,000 each given annually.
Profession-Specific
For Arizona residents (of at least one year) who want to enter into the field of health care, the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arizona Health Care Occupation Scholarships might be the ticket to receiving $400 towards a health care degree. Applicants must already be enrolled in an Arizona institution of higher education, and preference is given to students whose family members are veterans. See other national military scholarships.
The American Legion also offers an American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arizona Nurses' Scholarship of at least $500. As with the Health Care Occupation Scholarship, all applicants must be an Arizona resident; additionally, they must be enrolled in an Arizona college or university that awards registered nursing degrees. See other national nursing scholarships.
Rounding out the American Legion scholarships is the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arizona Wilma Hoyal-Maxine Chilton Memorial Scholarship. This annual scholarship of $1,000 is given to a student who is enrolled at one of the three Arizona state universities and is planning to receive a degree in special education, public programs, or political science.
If you're a high school senior and you expect to study manufacturing technology, manufacturing engineering technology, or industrial technology at an Arizona four or two-year college, you can try for the Phoenix Chapter 67 Scholarship. (It's also open to those already studying the aforementioned areas at an accredited Arizona college or university.) Only one $1,000 scholarship is given each year.
Other
Have an outstanding Arizona high school counselor? Why not nominate him or her for Arizona Counselor of the Year? The graduating high school senior who nominates the winning counselor wins $500 for his or her college education. This Arizona Counselor of the Year Scholarship is only available to full-time students.
