Free Money News June 2017

Welcome to June! You may be celebrating the end of school or wondering what to do with your kids being around all day. Either way a fun way to kick off the month of June is to go straight to the movies. See Wonder Woman as soon as you can! The film opens Friday, June 2 and is getting outstanding reviews. A special treat for women, it’s a great film for anyone looking for a likable superhero and a positive role model. Directed by a woman (Patty Jenkins) and starring the very impressive Gal Gadot plus easy on the eyes Chris Pine.

More entertainment on deck: NBA Championship games start June 1 with the Warriors and the Cavaliers. This time Stephen Curry & Company aim to beat the legendary LeBron and team. This is their third NBA Championship competition in a row and 7 of the past 8 years’ MVP’s will be on the court!

It’s an inspiring start to summer. If you're a student or the parent of one heading to college, congratulations. If you’re concerned about tuition and minimizing your debt, you are right to be. It’s not to late to apply for and win scholarships; summer is actually a great time to do it. We give details in our June Free Money Highlights, along with some great tips regarding housing, kids, your own small business, opportunities for women and more:

The latest in our annual series about real Free Money is out! Free Money 2017 shares some lighthearted as well as serious tips about what it is, where to find it and clever ways to get more cash in your life (including a youngster who did so with a tweet that earned him free chicken nuggets for life …).

Inspired by the Wonder Woman movie? You can get recognized for being an Amazing Women too! But you have to act fast: World Market’s Amazing Woman Sweeps lets you enter until June 4 so get on it. All you have to do is register, and you can do it every day to have better chances of winning. You can win a $2500 shopping spree plus one for another amazing woman in your life! Go do it now — we know we have lots of amazing women readers out there! Go to Grants for Women to discover more about this and other amazing opportunities…

Are you a woman business owner — or want to be one? Get some great tips from women who have recently been recognized by Fortune Magazine as leading the fastest growing women’s businesses in the U.S. As an added bonus, learn which college majors put women in fields where a study shows they earn more than men on average after five years on the job … Find it all in Grants for Women-Owned Business.

If you’re a widow with children you know it’s not an easy job. If you read - and maybe were put off by — Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In you might be interested to hear her latest advice. Since her husband died suddenly and unexpectedly she has learned just how difficult life can be. She has been very public with her comments about her experiences and her grief. And she shares some advice that could be helpful in Widows with Children: More Grant Resources.

Did you know that Crowdfunding can now be used by businesses to attract investors, not just donors? It’s called “regulated crowdfunding” and it could benefit some, but definitely not others. Learn more before you jump in — discover more in an update to Crowdfunding News.

Planning to start your own business but not sure when to jump in? Get some good advice from those who have gone before you — and enjoyed success – in Small Business Ideas.

If you’re looking for inspiration as well as funds, check out the latest winners of the Fed Ex annual grant competition. There are multiple prizes between $7500 and $25,000 and your business could be part of the next contest! Get some great ideas by reading the stories of this year’s and past winners. Learn more (do it now!) in Grants for Business.

Black Business Resources features an important update about African American Chambers of Commerce and their importance to the growing success of black businesses in the U.S. Fascinating stuff in Black Business Resources.

Does your business sell a product or services that could benefit the U.S. Government? They can be a great customer —- and they’re looking for ways to do more business with small businesses! Find out how easy (and profitable) it could be to get a government contract in our review of the Federal Business Opportunities website.

Did you know that rents are coming down in many places? This could finally be a good time to look for a better place to live and we offer some tips negotiating the best price you can in our recent update to Assistance for Rent.

Are you a first time home buyer? Find out what professions qualify for a great program called Good Neighbor Next Door. It’s run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and it could mean at great deal to you — like as much as a 50% reduction in the cost of your new home! Learn more, including how to find out what properties might be available in your area in Grants for First Time Home Buyers.

Looking for help making major repairs/modifications or other home improvements? Catch our recent update in Home Improvement Grants and discover two government programs that could be just what you’re looking for!

Be sure you’re up on all the programs you can access via the FAFSA, including the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program. We spell it all out in Grants for College. And Pell Grants are still are still a critical source of funding. Check Pell Grants updates for news you need to know and be sure to file your FAFSA application each year, as early as possible.

If you live in California and you were or are in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 there’s a special school-related grant for you. It’s called the Chafee Grant and it could get you $5000 for school — above and beyond any other aid you may be receiving. Check it out in Grants in California. There’s also news about specialty crop programs in Grants in Florida, some major cancer research grants available in Texas, and a focus on helping new businesses in Illinois. Be sure to check your own state’s website to see what grants may be available to you!

Happy Summer!