Do not lose your hard earn money to crooks. Scholarship scamming is becoming big business with reports of over $100 million lost this past year. These "companies" often call themselves official sounding names such as "administration" or "agencies" . You will never be asked by a legitimate organization to front money or buy in to a scholarship list.

The government does not have a secret pay-per-view scholarship list that they only have access to. Scholarships are a great way to pay for college. As with any venture, use common sense and work hard. Obtaining college scholarships is hard work, but it has excellent rewards. The Federal Trade Commission has setup a website with great tips to avoid getting scammed. They even have list of defendants in their ongoing "Project Scholarship Scam".

Website Link:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/

Founded in 1926 through the work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson , the holiday is a celebration of the lives and contributions of distinguished black men and women throughout the United States history. Dr. Woodson came to the conclusion during his studies at the universities of Chicago and Hardvard that the black community was unaware of their past history. The holiday originally began as "Negro History Week" to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. It was later expanded to "Black History Month".
Here are a few interesting links:

• Black Famous Firsts
• Noteable Speeches by African Americans
• African American History

Yes I know! Searching for college scholarships is one of the most tedious financial aid chores. However, the government does try to sort things out for you. ( Yeah that IS rare ) A simple search for nursing scholarships turned up over 200+ results. They not only provide keyword searches, but also match you with scholarships or grants based on your personal information. Their financial aid wizard provides many great links and oppurtunities to connect you with the cash.

Website Link:

http://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/scholarship_search_select.asp?5898

Fortune Small Business Magazine ( FSB ) has listed what they think are America's Top Colleges for Entrepreneurs. Making the grade were many of the tops universities in the nation such as Cornell, Harvard, and MIT just to name a few. Also included were a few lesser known like Babson, Northwestern University of Illinois, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. You can find the complete list by click the link at the bottom of this article.

Website Link:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/bestcolleges/2007/mbas/index.html

Still unsure about your career? The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has released their projections for the fastest growing occupations through 2016. Topping the list are Network systems and data communications analysts with 53.4%. The rest of the list as follows:

- Network systems and data communications analysts - 53.4%
- Personal and home care aides - 50.6%
- Home health aides - 48.7%
- Computer software engineers, applications - 44.6%
- Veterinary technologists and technicians - 41.0%
- Personal financial advisors - 41.0%
- Makeup artists, theatrical and performance 39.8%
- Medical assistants - 35.4%
- Veterinarians - 35.0%
- Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors - 34.3%

Website Link:
http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm

Federal Student Aid Programs

Federal student aid is financial assistance that’s available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid.

Federal student aid covers school expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. This aid can also help you pay for a computer and dependent childcare expenses.

There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study and loans.

How do I apply for aid?

* Complete the FAFSA and provide the required signatures.
* Wait 3-5 days while we process your FAFSA and send you a Student Aid Report (SAR).
* Check the SAR carefully. Your SAR will summarize the data you report on your FAFSA.
* Keep a copy of your SAR.
* View your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If your FAFSA information is complete, an EFC will appear in the upper right corner of your SAR. Your EFC is based on the financial information you provide on the FAFSA.
* Check with your school. Your school will use your EFC to award your financial aid.

Website Link:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/