Grants And Loans

Phone Best For Getting Grants

A telephone-based study conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Project of 2,925 adult Americans showed that 53% preferred to contact the government by phone or in person and only 35% prefer either Web or email. 10% cited a letter as their top choice. Even Internet users are more likely to use the telephone or in-person visits instead of Web or email.

Visit: www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/128/report_display.asp

Non Profit Credit Counselors DON’T Have Your Interest

at heart. That’s why they are being investigated by FTC and the IRS. Counseling agency officers make a lot of money with back office deals. They’re charging you fees to pay your bills. They make money from the credit card companies. They won’t tell you about bankruptcy.

Visit: www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/10/ftcirs.htm

100000 New Jobs

And if you are looking for a job, why would you ever consider looking to the government for work? Our budget hysteria sounds similar to a news story about Black and Decker laying off 1,000 workers. It sort of makes it seem like a stupid place to look for work. But, in fact, the Bush administration, in last 3 years, added 75,000 new federal workers. The prior administration eliminated over 300,000 workers. So if you are looking for a job, it seems even more stupid to go to Walmart who only has 1.3 million positions it has to keep filled, when the government has over 15 million positions it has to keep filled. And, I’m sure the government offers better pension and health care benefits and won’t lock you in the store at night, unless maybe you’re working in a nuclear missile silo!

Visit: www.govengine.com

Low Interest Mortgage Loans Can Be Rip Offs

Make sure you don’t get caught in the type of scam the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating. A mortgage broker was advertising the following on the web: Free 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30- year Fixed at Today’s Rate with No Costs – No Kidding. They lied and the FTC froze all their assets.

Visit: www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/06/pwrprocessing.htm

Join the Club and Get a Home For 500 Down

HomeFree USA features financial assistance programs as well as education, referral and counseling services for prospective buyers in the metropolitan Washington area. Membership is required for participation in programs. Members have access to a variety of financial aid packages related to homeownership, including money for downpayments, closing costs and access to special money-saving mortgage programs. HomeFree offers a mortgage plan requiring $500 down and closing cost grants that do not need to be repaid. Also offered to members are assistance with credit, debt, and tax issues, counseling on savings, debt and budgeting, access to a number of mortgage professionals, assistance in applying for a mortgage, classes in smart homeownership, and step-by-step counseling to make sure the member’s financial interests are protected in the home buying process. Contact: HomeFreeUSA, 318 Riggs Road, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20011. Phone: (202) 526-2000 or (800) 289-4632; fax: (202) 526-4072

Visit: www.homefreeusa.org

Grants To Pay For A Down Payment

on a home are available through a non-profit organization called AmeriDream, Inc. It’s a little complicated, but my understanding is that to get government money to buy a home, the seller cannot give you a down payment to help you buy the home. But they can give the money to a non-profit, who in turn can give you the money. Anyway, the deal can get done and you don’t need to put up money.

Visit: www.ameridream.org/

Free Classes and Fee based Seminars On How To Get Grants

The Foundation Center in Atlanta has a wide range of information about possible sources of funding. The Center offers workshops for the beginner grant seeker. They also have a library located at 50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303. The phone number is 404-880-0095 or 94. An online database of 5,600 foundations and public charity programs is available for a monthly fee.

Visit: fdncenter.org/atlanta/

Pennsylvania Soldiers Collect 2500

A one-time student loan forgiveness benefit of up to $2,500 can be yours if you served in the Armed Forces, in an active duty status, between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2004. The Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program recognizes the bravery, dedication, and loyalty of our servicemen and women who served in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. To learn more about this program contact the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, PA State Grants and Special Programs, 1200 N 7th St, Harrisburg PA 17102-1444; (800)233-0557

Visit: www.pheaa.org/

Costa Rica Knows How To Buy Health Care

according to the World Bank, Costa Ricans spend an average of $273 per person, per year, on health care and have a life expectancy of 77.6 years. U.S. citizens spend and average of $4,499 per person per year on health care and have a life expectancy of 78 years.The U.S. spends more on health care than any other developed country, and there are 41 countries where people live longer.

Visit: www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/countrydata.html

Get Your Customers 62/Wk To Pay For You

Up to $62 per week for full time care infant through five-years-old, $18 per day for part time care for infants through five-year-olds, and $37 per week before and after school program from the federal Child Care and Development Funds Program. The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program helps families in Georgia pay for early childhood and school age care and education programs. Families with a limited income who are working, attending school or training may qualify for subsidized childcare. Chattooga County Department of Family and Children Services, 302 South Commerce Street, P.O. Box 250, Summerville, GA 30747-0250; 706-857-0817; Fax: 706-857-0823

Visit: www.div.dhr.state.ga.us/dfcs_caps

3500 Grant to Improve Your Home So It Cuts Your Utility Bills

This program is called the Energy Efficient Mortgages Program and can be used to make energy-efficient improvements in one to four existing and new homes. The improvements can be included in a borrower’s mortgage only if their total cost is less than the total dollar value of the energy that will be saved during their useful life. The cost of the improvements that may be eligible for financing as part of the mortgage is either 5 percent of the property’s value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000–whichever is greater. The maximum mortgage limit for a single-family home is $160,950, plus the cost of the eligible energy-efficient improvements.

Visit: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm

5000 to Get Rid of Lead Paint in Your Home

Called the Lead-based Paint Hazard Control in Privately-Owned Housing Program and referred to as Program #14.900 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, this program provides grants to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in privately- owned housing that is owned by or rented to low- or very-low income families. Specific objectives include: (1) building the capacity necessary to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in all housing; (2) preventing childhood lead poisoning; (3) involving cooperation among all levels of government, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations; (4) integrating comprehensive community approaches to address lead hazards in housing; (5) integration of lead- safe practices into other programs which will continue beyond the life of the grant; (6) establishment of a public registry of lead-safe housing; and (7) promoting job training, employment, and other economic lift opportunities for low-income residents of project neighborhoods. . Contact your local office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at

Visit: www5.hud.gov:63001/po/i/netlocator/

A 100000 Grant Went To A Company Called TV One

a newly launched cable company operating in Silver Spring, Md. They got this money from the Montgomery Country Department of Economic Development They also received a $75,000 grant from the state office of economic development and another $75,000 grant from the state to train their employees. In addition they received another $150,000 in grant money from the State of Maryland

Visit: www.choosemaryland.org/business/index.aspwww.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp

2000000 to Fix Up Multifamily Units

Called the Supplemental Loan Insurance Multifamily Rental Housing Program and referred to as Program #14.151 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, it can be used to finance repairs, additions and improvements to multifamily projects, group practice facilities, hospitals, or nursing homes already insured by HUD or held by HUD. Major movable equipment for insured nursing homes, group practice facilities or hospitals may be covered by a mortgage under this program. Contact your local office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Visit: www5.hud.gov:63001/po/i/netlocator/

Money For Your New Home in One Hour

The Neighborhood Gold Down-payment Assistance Program helps families purchase a home in the neighborhood of their choice with no money down. Neighborhood Gold works with The Buyers Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, to provide prospective homeowners with gift money to cover down-payment requirements and closing costs. To receive a grant, a buyer should work with a lender to obtain a mortgage that allows for down-payments to be made in the form of a charitable gift. If a buyer is approved for a loan, he or she can receive Neighborhood Gold gift funds, regardless of income level. The mortgage professional fills out the grant application, and will receive a gift letter from the fund within ONE HOUR. Neighborhood Gold has local representatives who can offer assistance in the application process and answer any questions before, during and after the home-buying process. As part of the grant, Neighborhood Gold offers a Mortgage Payment Protection Plan, which covers up to six months of payments and may make it easier for a program participant to obtain mortgage financing for the applicant’s home of choice. Like most down-payment assistance programs, the seller must agree to pay to Neighborhood Gold a service fee equal to the grant amount plus a percentage rate of home price determined by location. For more information contact:

Visit: www.neighborhoodgold.com

7500 To Cover The Cost of Equipment For People with Disabilities

the state of Arkansas offers a Medicaid waiver which can provide up to $7,500 to cover the cost of adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. Contact: Development Disabilities Services, Department of Human Services; 870-773-0563

Visit: www.state.ar.us/dhs/sgDD.html

500 to Help You Pay Your Bills

The Lion’s Pride Foundation’s emergency assistance grants offer up to $500 per year to individuals who provide sufficient evidence of need (e.g., water, electricity, mortgage bills). Contact: The Lion’s Pride Foundation, Inc., c/o Delhaize America, Inc., P.O. Box 1330, Salisbury, NC 28145; (704) 633-8250, ext. 2974 or ext. 3385; Fax: (704) 656-4162

Visit: www.foodlion.com

60000 If Your Mortgage Payments Are Over 60 Days Due

the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency offers state residents a loan program designed to protect citizens who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Participants in the Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program receive loans to help bring delinquent payments current. Continuing monthly assistance may be available as well. Total financial assistance maximum is $60,000, or 24 months of payments. Participants are expected to contribute $25 per month for payments during the term of the loan. Contact: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, 211 North Front Street, P.O. Box 15530, Harrisburg, PA 17105-5530. Phone: 800-342-2397,

Visit: www.phfa.org/programs/hemap/index.htm

10000 To Care For Grandma and Grandpa

Does your mom need Meals on Wheels? Is she having trouble paying her bills? Does she need a new roof on the house? How about some extra spending money? Does Grandma need free legal help to divorce Grandpa? Does she want to know what programs exist for seniors? Answers to all these questions and more can be found by contacting the Eldercare Hotline at 800-677-1116. They can hook up seniors with all the resources available to them, and all it takes is a phone call.

Visit: www.eldercare.gov/