Grants for members of the military (and their families)
Many states give out grants for student loan forgiveness, as well as scholarships for people enrolling in college. These are often tied to professions, so it’s worth it to do a search for student loan forgiveness in your state and profession.
New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program: New York gives as much as $10,000 per year for up to five years for those who graduated from an in-state university and plan to run a farm in New York for a minimum of five years. You have to apply within two years of graduating school.
California Loan Repayment Program for Healthcare Workers: California offers eight different loan repayment programs for people in the healthcare industry. For example, the California Bachelor of Science in Nursing Loan Repayment Program will pay licensed RNs living in California up to $10,000 toward their student loans in exchange for one year of service in a medically under-served area, prison, or veteran healthcare facility. Participants may be reimbursed for up to three years.
New York State Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program: This program will award you $10,000 per year for up to five years of employment in a New York State child welfare agency.
Maine Alfond Leaders Program: This program pays as much as $60,000 in student loans for people in STEM professions who live and work in Maine.
Army Loan Repayment Program: If you enlist in the military after going to college and you have student loans, you can get forgiveness for those loans.
Army Reserve College Loan Repayment Program: This program provides up to $50,000 in student loan forgiveness for those in specific specialties who agree to serve for at least six years.
If you agree to serve for three years and meet other qualifications, you can get a third of your outstanding principal paid each year, for a maximum of $65,000.
Iraq-Afghanistan Service Grant: If your parent was a member of the military and died while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq, and you were not eligible for a Pell Grant based on financial criteria, you could be eligible for an amount up to the maximum Pell Grant amount available for the award year. The amount for 2020-21 is $ 6,345. .
You must have been under 24 years of age or enrolled at least part-time in college when your parent died.
Health Professions Student Loan Repayment Program: Doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, veterinarians, and other healthcare professionals who enlist in the army can receive up to $120,000 in student loan forgiveness if they enlist for a specified amount of time, usually three years. The amount and time period vary by profession and service branch.
Also, if you haven’t yet enrolled in college, the military offers a wide range of scholarship programs for those who enroll. Go here for a complete list.
Grants for volunteers/non-profit employees
Organizations such as AmeriCorps , the Peace Corps , and Teach for America qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and may award you funds to put toward your loans
Grants for employees at private companies
Aetna: If you work for this healthcare company full-time, it will match your payments of up to $2,000 per year, for a maximum of $10,000 toward your student loans. Part-time employees are eligible for half that.
PricewaterhouseCoopers: This financial services company offers up to $1,200 per year, up to a total of $10,000, toward student loans for its associates and senior associates.
Grants to pay off student loans for single mothers
However, if you’re a single mom who needs student loan debt relief, any of the above may be an option depending on your career, the state you live in, and other circumstances.