Grants are based on financial need and do not have to be repaid for communications majors. There are many federal grant programs, but two of the largest are the Federal Pell Grant and Family Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Both are intended for families with exceptionally low incomes.

Federal Pell Grant: This grant is for students from low-income families, determined by your family size; number of family members in college; and the income and assets of your parents, siblings and yourself. The amount of a Pell Grant award has risen over the years, but has not kept up with the rising cost of education.Students with the most need are awarded funding first; once they have been provided funding, the remaining FSEOG funds “trickle down” to provide aid to students with the next greatest level of need. Ninety percent of all Pell Grant recipients come from families with an income less than $40,000. For 2010-11, the maximum award is $5,550. After this year, future increases in the Pell Grant will be tied to the consumer price index. Application for a Pell Grant is automatic based on information supplied through your FAFSA.

FSEOG: Eligibility is based on exceptional need. Assessment is made automatically when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. When your FAFSA is complete, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which you will need to send to the college of your choice. Grants range from $100 to $4,000.
These federal programs are the most widely recognized programs but not the only sources of money. Check with your college financial aid office for college-level grants that might be available to you. Also check with your communications department to see if there is money available through them. Frequently there are specific monies available to students majoring in communications.
If you are a good student, you will have the chance to combine your good high school record with your financial need. In the matter of receiving finaid, it is frequently the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Students who are complacent and fill out just one form are missing out on opportunities for more aid. You need to think of paying for your communications degree in terms of a scavenger hunt: Think outside the box, use resources available to you, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your high school counselor or college financial aid office. Be persistent, keep good records and never pass up even the smallest amount of money. Two hundred dollars may not seem like much in the scheme of things, but it will help pay for your books for a semester!