Grants And Loans

More Money for Job Seekers

When the average person hears the drumbeat that the budget has a $500 billion dollars deficit, they can only think of how, if in their own personal budget was this much in debt, they would never think of spending more money, no matter how good the idea was . But the House of Representatives just approved of an extra $6.7 billion for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits. So if you’re one of the millions about to run out of unemployment benefits, get off the couch and investigate this new free money. Contact your Congressperson or Senator to see what the status is of that legislation called HR 3030

Visit: www.congress.org

800 For Your Security Deposit

Several states and more and more local organizations and even non-profits provide money for renters with grants or loans that can be used for security deposits. Programs constantly come and go but the state of Delaware has provided grants to nonprofit agencies to administer 2 security deposit programs. Two counties in Florida provide grants to cover deposits for people at certain incomes, and New Hampshire guarantees landlords the full amount so the renter can make payments on a security deposit. This information was collected from NLIHC, 1012 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 610, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202/662-1530. To locate available programs in your area contact your state housing office or social services office, or your local reference librarian who can assist you in finding other organizations who might provide this assistance.

Visit: www.nlihc.org

2000 To Pay Your Dental Bills

There are close to 60 dental schools in the country that offer quality care at a fraction of the cost of private dentists. I used them for years. An $800 crown can cost you only $200. Sure you get a senior student, but you also get a professor who is better then most private practitioners. Most also offer payment plans.

Visit: www.datreview.com/dentalschools.htm?source=overture

Sources For Government Foreclosed Properties

If you are like 99% of all the other investors in the US who wish they had their money in real estate and not stocks and bonds during the past few years, or you heard about a friend of your brother-in-law who is making a bunch on foreclosed property, remember there is no magic in finding these properties. It just takes work. Here’s where Uncle Sam keeps the bargains.

Visit: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/homes.cfm

100000 or MORE to Promote Open Societies

The Open Society Institute offers grants to individuals both nationally and internationally. Grants are typically up to $100,000 but may be higher. The awards can be used to promote open societies by supporting an array of activities dealing with educational, social, legal, and health care reform, and by encouraging alternative approaches to complex and controversial issues. Grants are national. Contact: Open Society Institute, 400 W. 59th Street, New York, NY 10019; (212) 548-0600; Fax: (212) 548-4600

Visit: www.soros.org

4000 Grant To Paint Your Home

That’s what Canton, Ohio offers to very low-income residents – grants to paint their house or put on new siding. They feel that an investment like this improves the value of all the properties in the area. Sunnyvale, California offers some of their residents $400 in grant money to paint their homes. And if you’re over 60 or have a disability, you can get a $1,200 grant. See if your city or state offers a program like this go to

Visit: www.govengine.com

7500 Grant for Housing Repair

Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Grants are funded directly by the Government. A grant is available to a homeowner who is 62 years of age or older. Funds may only be used for repairs or improvements to remove health and safety hazards, or to complete repairs to make the dwelling accessible for household members with disabilities. The amount of the grant is based on the applicant’s ability to repay and may be used in conjunction with the Repair and Rehabilitation Loan. The lifetime maximum grant amount is $7,500. Contact Mike, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service, 1110 Amos Rd. Suite A, Shelbyville, IN 46176; 317-392-1394 Ext. 4. For more information on Rural Housing Programs, contact Single Family Housing, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-1474

Visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/

Scholarships For Early Care Educators and Providers

SCHOLARSHIPS is a statewide program that provides financial support for early care and education professionals so that they may expand their education in order to give high quality care to children in Georgia. The program provides scholarships for GED or remedial classes; technical colleges or other public or private accredited institutions to earn credit in early care and education or child development programs. Programs from a CDA through a Masters are eligible. The program also provides for a support stipend to go toward the cost of books, travel, school materials, and other similar expenses. Scholarships for Masters programs have a maximum of $1,000 per academic year. Early care and education directors, teachers, administrators, owners, and staff that work a minimum of 25 hours per week in a registered family child care home or child care center are eligible to apply. Applicants must also apply for Hope and Pell grants. SCHOLARSHIPS are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, Smart Start Georgia, 175 Twinnett Dr., Suite 370, Lawrenceville, GA 30045; 888-405-2238; 770-339-5199/5208

Visit: www.smartstartga.org

3000 To Operate a Roadside Fruit Stand

Through WIC and the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, let the USDA bring you customers you might not otherwise reach. Simply apply to become an authorized vendor, and let the government do the rest. Coupons will be distributed to seniors and WIC recipients that you can then redeem for cash. To find out how you can start making more money, contact the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Visit: www.fns.usda.gov/wic/FMNP/FMNPfaqs.htm.

Free Money For Your Down Payment

If you are within a certain income and need help paying your heating bills, or need money to make your house more energy efficient, or need funds for urgent repairs, call your local Community Action Agency. There are about 1,000 of them around the country to help neighborhoods. They will also come out and check if your home or apartment needs to be more energy efficient. To find an agency near you, contact National Association of Community Action Agencies, 1100 17th St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036; 202-265-7546; Fax: 202-265-8850. Also, your local utility can provide you with or refer you to other programs in your area to analyze your energy usage, recommend energy saving measures, provide fuel and utility assistance to retain or restore service, establish payment discounts based on income and usage, or establish affordable payment plans if you are in arrears. Contact your local utility company to take advantage of these services.

Visit: communityactionpartnership.com

84 For Your Phone Bill

Link Up and Lifeline are two government programs that offer up to $84 a year in discounts on your monthly bill. Ask your phone company about them or contact your state utility commissioner. For more information on how to save money on your phone bill, contact your telephone company, your state regulatory agency, and/or the Federal Communications Commission (445 12th St., SW, Washington, DC 20554; 888-CALL-FCC

Visit: www.fcc.gov/cgb/getconnected/

Agricultural Graduates 10000 Of Loan Forgiveness Is Waiting For You

If you are an agriculture or veterinary medicine graduate in Pennsylvania who helps operate a family farm or practices veterinary medicine that includes agricultural animals you may be eligible for up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness payments. To learn more about this program contact the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Program, P.O. Box 8114, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8114; (717)-720-2800

Visit: www.pheaa.org/loanforgiveness/Agriculture_Education_Loan_Forgiveness_Program.shtml

FREE Home Repair and Security Improvements

The Minor Rehabilitation and Home Security Program sponsored by San Diego County’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) assists homeowners with home rehabilitation, minor repairs, maintenance, and security issues. Eligible repairs include fixing broken windows, doors, window screens, sliding glass door screens, and/or fence and gate repairs; minor plumbing and electrical repairs; yard clean-up; painting; and the installation of wheel chair ramps. Eligible improvements in home security include the installation of security screen doors with deadbolts, solar motion sensor lights, floodlights, carbon monoxide detectors, carriage sensor lights, and dusk-to-dawn lights. Applicants must own and reside in a home located within select county urban areas. Contact: San Diego County Department of Housing and Community Development, San Diego, CA 92123 or visit their website at:

Visit: www.sdcounty.ca.gov/sdhcd/

85 For A Year of Business Training for Women

Women with the desire to start or expand their own businesses can look to Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore, Inc. (WEB) for the knowledge and resources needed to succeed. Elements of their Business Skills Training Course include financing strategies, business skills education, internet and computer use, community networking, government certification, and legal and tax requirements. Participants receive mentoring, business consultations, and additional resource referrals as part of the package. Applicants are prescreened to ensure that they have both a viable business idea and the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for success. Participants must attend 12 weeks of training, write a business plan, and intend to start a business before or within nine months after training is completed. For a year, graduates receive free technical assistance, resources, and support from staff and WEB’s extensive network of volunteers. WEB also helps clients finance their ventures – assisting in the preparation of loan application packages for loans up to $250,000 and finding an appropriate lender. Cost for the full program – only $85 to $325, depending on income. Contact: WEB, Inc., 1118 Light St., Ste 202, Baltimore, MD 21230, 410-727-4921

Visit: www.webinc.org/

Work Up a Sweat While Building Your Own Home

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Loan Program helps low-income households construct their own homes. Families perform approximately 65% of the construction labor on each other’s homes with professional supervision. This sweat equity reduces labor costs and the price of the home. Mortgage payments are 22 to 26 percent of the applicant’s income.

Visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/sfh/brief_selfhelpsite.htm

10000 to 2 Million In Venture Capital For Low Income Entrepreneurs

it’s not only Wall Street fat cats or bad business dot com ventures that get venture capital money to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams. There are over 100 such venture capital organizations now whose goal is to get money to entrepreneurs who want to help low-income or other disadvantaged with good jobs, good services or good products. Go through the list at http://www.cdvca.org/fund_profiles.html and see which ones you should apply to. Remember venture capital is money you don’t have to pay back but they get a piece of the action and you get a partner.

Visit: www.cdvca.org/fund_profiles.html

10000 Grants for High School Seniors

The Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation Scholarships are awarded to economically disadvantaged public high school seniors in Washington DC. These scholarships are available to help them defer college expenses at a four-year accredited institution. Contact: Scholarship Committee, The Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation, 734 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502, Washington, DC 20005

Visit: www.abramsonfoundation.org/scholarship/index.shtml