General Grants and Scholarships

• Conventional grants and scholarships don't stipulate that you can't use the funds during the summer semester. Government grants (such as the Pell Grant), private grants and scholarships only give you a certain amount of funds for the year. Most times, this amount doesn't cover more than three semesters, but sometimes there is something left over. Use the remaining funds for the summer semester. Another solution is to use the funds for the summer semester and sit out one of the other three semesters.
  
  

Special Options

• Some schools and institutions have special programs for students to study abroad for the summer and receive college credit. Special scholarships are awarded to pay for the study abroad programs. The Harvard Summer School has a study abroad program for eight college credits. Government and prestigious scholarships, like the Fulbright scholarship, pay for these study abroad programs. Usually, study abroad scholarships are offered to exceptional students who participate in programs of study where cultural relations are critical.
  
  

Summer Research Scholarships

• Student research programs allow students to stimulate their interest in research in their field of study. Different schools offer these opportunities to students who have shown excellent academic ability. The benefits of summer research programs include college credits, monthly stipends and/or research experience that looks great on resumes for jobs and graduate programs. Scholarships exist to pay the costs associated with summer research programs and as an incentive to attract students to the program. The American Academy of Neurology awards the AAN Medical Student Summer Research Scholarships to students interested in neuroscience scholarships.
  
  

Multiple Scholarships and Grants

• Scholarships and grant programs don't specify whether you can be approved for several awards at one time. For instance, low-income women attending an accredited accounting program can qualify for a need-based government grant and a scholarship for women accountants. By applying for multiple scholarships and grants, you are ensuring that you have enough funds to cover all of your educational expenses. Usually, surplus funds are distributed to the students in a tuition disbursement check each semester. Instead of spending surplus funds from multiple awards, save the money to cover courses taken during the summer semester.