SusanofO -> RE: not sure where to post this question about school,weight loss (7/13/2006 6:37:52 AM)
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Well, I've gotten grants for traditional college students; but most of the time they'd been in school for awhile already - if someone is just starting school, I'd suggest going for the educational loan (it's 2% interest). Grants (except in very special cases) go mostly to people who are already embarked on an educational program and are 24 months or more into it (they want to make sure you are likely to graduate and not drop out is all). The loans are a different story, and open to some students just beginning their education. I know the website doesn't say this, but I've seen people get loans I(not grants) that are not into their educational progeam (yet). However, getting a loan is easier if you are already embarked at least 24 monhs into a program.t Update: I just checked with my local chapter rep for the loan program and she says: ***For the most part, P.E.O. loans (and grants, which I knew) do go to women who have already embarked on an educational progeam and are 24 months (or 1 year in the case of a 2 year program) into it. So maybe I should not have published this (it might help somebody out there, though). And it's good to know t exists, for future reference. There is some misinformation on the website (I just checked; it's nothing major, but the loan amount has gone up to $10,000, not $9,000 like it states. I am sorry they printed that. I can assure you the basic eligibility requirements are still valid, as well as the grant amounts. On the peointernational.org website - For information on grants, look under "Program For Continuing Education"(as far as P.E.O. projects. For information on loans, look under Educational Loan Fund (ELF) under P.E.O. projects However, if someone is already into a program of courses (by 2 years, except in the case of a 2-year school, when I think the requirement is one year; I never get any 2-year course people I've helped apply, so I am not sure) and is needing more funding they can take a grant and a loan out at the same time. I hope I am not being confusing. I know I am sorry, I am trying to help -honestly if anyone wants more information thay can e-mail me on the other side - but most of the information is already in this thread or on the P.E.O. website. Re: P.E.O. educational loans: Yes, you do need two co-signers if you apply for a loan - but any loan you apply for will probably require at least one (if not two) co-signers. I maybe should have mentioned that.That is my experience as far as knowing about other types of educational loans (which is not extensive). Someone's Master, or a boss (perhaps), or a relative, or very close, long-time, trusting and trusted friend will work just fine, in many cases, for that. I do not work on the educational loan committee in my chapter, so am not as well-versed in that area, but am on the grant committee for my local chapter, and if they have changed the rules and graduate students qualify (maybe that is the case), I didn't know about it. Sorry for any misinformation there (truly). I haven't really worked actively in my local chapter for a few months because they were all hot to make me an officer and, to be honest, I've been an officer before, and it's one hell of a lot of work (not for P.E.O. but for other organizations I belong to); I plan to become active again in the Fall, after I've "dodged that bullet". That might sound insincere, but it's not - I've got too much I am dealing with now to take on that responsibility, too. I should maybe have checked if the grant eligibility sphere had expanded before I printed the info about grants - if grad students can apply now, that's great! Go with whatever the website says (if there is a question about that). The other qualificationsI mentioned (being 18, etc. are still valid) - I did check on that. It's worth it to apply, these grants and loans are relatively easy to obtain. It does take time, though (8-12 weeks). And you have to meet with a chapter representative and then take an afternoon (maybe two) - a few hours at most, to fill out paperwork (someone helps you with that from the chapter you'd be put in touch with). I can't imagine them not putting you in touch with a local chapter rep if you called and explained you were looking for educational funding and are an adult woman returning (or starting, whatever the case) school. It's the entire and only reason the organization exists. Thye can answer anyquestions you might have, and the website (for the most part, 98%) is accurate. The other thing they do is offer $10,000 scholarships, but those are super competitve and very difficult to obtain (they really truly are), and also the process takes longer. If anyone applies, I'd suggest going for a loan or grant. - Susan
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