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It's often a bit of a shock to prospective students when they start looking into how much their college education is going to cost. There is a bit of good news, however. With the federal government's recent Pell Grant expansion, colleges and universities are reporting that summer enrollment numbers are up. More recently, a Sallie Mae study noted that families have been relying on more money from sources such as grants. Thanks in part at least to the Pell Grant, expanded July 1 as a result of an education bill that President Barack Obama signed into law earlier this year, more families are apparently accessing that money for traditional and online course degree programs.

The number of summer students at the University of Wyoming climbed from 5,812 last year to 6,112 this year, at least in part as a result of the Pell Grant, an August news release from the institution suggested. At Middle Tennessee State University, an August Daily News Journal article noted, last year's 8,603 summer students increased this year to 9,318. As Middle State Enrollment and Academic Services Provost Dr. Deb Sells tells it in a news release, the increase is in part a result of summer Pell Grant availability and in part due to distance learning programs.

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Pell Grants are designed for students with financial needs and as of July 1, they were expected to be awarded to about 617,000 more students than last year, with the average grant, at $3,865, about $220 more than students last year averaged, according to a June article in US News & World Report. Also as of July 1, the federal government was expected to launch Iraq and Afghanistan Service grants. Through these grants, college students who lost a parent or guardian serving in these countries after Sept. 11, 2001, could receive more than $5,000 toward college tuition and fees, the report noted.

In addition to the Pell Grant, assistance from some states, colleges, universities and technical schools this year increased. Students in Arkansas, for example, recently benefited from a scholarship program that expanded with help from a new state lottery. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln this year added Chancellor's Scholarships that, as one of 1,500 college diploma scholarships valued at more than $12 million, provide students with $2,000 in additional support, an August report in the York News Times noted.

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Private institutions, while more pricey in terms of published tuition rates than their public counterparts, are also offering more financial aid. Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid at private colleges and universities between fall 2009 and the coming fall semester increased by 6.8 percent, according to a June report from the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Even for the 2008-2009 academic year, 71 percent of the $18,478 average freshman financial aid package at Wisconsin's private institutions came in the form of scholarships, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities website shows.

Families have long relied on college grants and scholarships to help pay tuition. In fact, more than half of the average family's tuition budget comes from their own income and savings (37 percent) and grants and scholarships (23 percent), the Sallie Mae study suggested. During the recession, the study for the 2009-2010 academic year noted, families have also had to work more hours and reduce spending elsewhere in order to pull together tuition costs.

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The Pell Grant isn't the only federal grant college classes program. The government also offers grants known as Teacher Education Assistance, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity and Academic Competitiveness grants. Many states, large corporations, non-profit organizations, community and civic groups offer scholarships and grants as well. Families and students might also consider offsetting college costs with student work study programs as well as tax credits and deductions.

Scholarships and grants for online college and traditional institutions are typically provided when institutions are accredited by nationally recognized agencies. When an institution is accredited, that means it meets certain standards, and students are more likely able to transfer credits for their degree. The U.S. Department of Education website includes a list of accredited institutions and programs.

Some Helpful Links

GI BIll Benefits: Discover the many educational benefits of the GI Bill.
Finding Money For College: Help pay for college.
Humanities Degree Online: Earn a degree in humanities online.

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