In many cases, almost anything you may be interested in studying may be government-funded courses. The United States government, for instance, has several student loan options funded by the government as well as grants and scholarships which are offered to certain students. These options are given to any student who meets certain requirements and is attending an accredited school. Some other countries have colleges which are entirely funded by the government. To choose government-funded courses, you should tour the school and ask about any classes you are interested in and then applying for government financial aid.
The first step you will need to take when choosing government-funded courses is to decide what it is you want to do with your education. If you want to work for the government, you may be able to take courses while working in certain departments via on the job training. This is not the norm, however, and you will need to attend college or a similar institution for most professions. Tour institutions in your area and ask a career adviser about potential majors in areas you are interested in.
Once you have narrowed down areas in which you may want to study, you can apply to a school which offers classes in these areas. The application process will depend on the institution itself. To choose the right courses for your situation, speak with an admissions adviser and then schedule a time to tour all the schools you are considering. Speak to potential instructors and professors to get an idea of the demand for the type of work you want to do, and chat with a financial aid adviser to discuss government funding.
There are several ways you may be able to take government-funded courses. Once you choose a school and are accepted, you should fill out a financial aid document or application for federal aid. In the United States, this document is called the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is required for any government funded aid a student may receive.
Grants are one common type of aid a student may receive. A grant is money given by the government for a particular purpose, and which does not have to be paid back. Most grants are given to students who have financial need based on income, expenses, and dependents living in the household. Tax information and other financial information is typically needed when filling in the FAFSA so that the proper government agencies can determine which students have the most financial need.
Loans are also available for those who want to take government-funded courses. These are sums of money which are not based on income and that which have to be paid back within a specified amount of time. Unlike conventional loans, however, student loans often have very low interest rates and they are not always based on credit score. Students are also oftentimes given extended payment terms so that they have time to find jobs after graduation before payments begin.
Scholarships may also be awarded by the government for certain individuals who have displayed academic excellence or belong to certain groups or organizations. Students are not always automatically submitted for consideration in getting a scholarship, although sometimes any high school graduate with a certain grade point average may be eligible. In other cases, students will need to find and apply for scholarships separately.
Some countries have government-funded colleges offering training in certain areas. Finding courses in one of these schools requires similar steps to finding a school in any other format. Space may be limited in these schools, and in some cases students will still have to pay some tuition or work in certain fields upon graduation in order to take part in the programs.
