Free money guide: Matthew Lesko
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002
It's a new year. Do you need a fresh start?
Are you looking to change your life? Perhaps work in the woods or
help the homeless? Do you want to go back to school - but think
you can't afford it? Ask free-money expert Matthew Lesko how to
find a government grant to help you achieve your goals.
Missed the live chat? Read the transcript below:
Comment from USATODAY.com Host: Sorry folks, Matthew is running a
little late. Thanks for your patience.
Rochester, New York : I am unemployed in manufacturing. I would like
to get training in Computer Science/Information Technolgy. Where should
I look for free or low interest funding?
Matthew Lesko: Yes, there is a lot of re-training money int he government,
go to your station capital and ask for the Labor One-Stop Centers, they
have programs taht can give you up to $9,000 to train for a new career or
upgrade your skills
Massachusetts : are there grants that will pay for school and give
you money to live on at the same time? do you have to be a full time student?
Matthew Lesko: There are so many programs. Some require you to be
full time others require you to be part time, The trick is to apply to as
many programs as possible, go the library or to a good books store and read
a bunch of scholarship books, always use more than one, no one has all the
info, even me, apply for 50 or more .... also be sure to check with your
state office of higher education in your state capital, that's where I found
a bunch of money for my kid, I pay next to nothing and I make a lot of money
Fremont, Nebraska : How long does it usually take to get the money
from these grants?
Matthew Lesko: For grants, loans, direct payments and any other kind
of money, you have to allow at least a month or so, some promise an answer
in a few weeks, but generally it's a wait, but worth it, because who else
will give you $100,000 to start a coffee shop
Fremont, Nebraska : Is there a limit on the amount of money I can
qualify for?
Matthew Lesko: The budget is close to $2 Trillion, so you will probably
be stopped at that number..... so the answer is NO if you apply to more
than one program, but yes if you are apply to only one... VP Dick Cheney
got over $3 billion in government money for his business
Brighton, IL : Mr. Lesko, I am a 29 year old male wanting to go back
and get my Bachelor's degree. I work full time and make pretty good
money. Is there any type of grant I can still receive ?
Matthew Lesko: Age, or work status does not matter for most programs,
go to the scholarships books I mentioned earlier and make sure you fill
out a bunch of applications. Also check with you state department of labor
in your state capital, they have programs that will give money to your boss
to pay for your training... that's a good deal and make you a hit with your
boss too
MABLETON GA : I PURCHASED YOUR BOOK ABOUT A YEAR OR SO,& I WONDER
IF THE INFORMATION IS STILL UP TODATE,OR IS THERE A NEW BOOK THAT I SHOULD
ORDER.
Matthew Lesko: As you see in the intro to my book, I put in BOG words
"This Book IS Out OF Date", everything is out of date as soon as it is printed,
even on the web. I estimate about 15% goes out of state every year, most
of the programs will still be available but you will have to track down
their new locations, what you will miss are new programs, so ask the existing
sources for new leads on new programs.... good luck and thank you for buying
the book
Nashville, TN : I have long dreamed of opening a catering company.
What kind of help could I possibly get from the government in orderr to
start up (i.e. buy professional equipment, buy advertising, salary compensation
until I got on my feet, if any)? Also, on a side note, do you know of any
helpful sources in researching the opportunities, success rates, etc for
such an endeavor? Thank you.
Matthew Lesko: If you are not sure how to go about opening a catering
company, you can get all the free help you need from you local Small Business
Development Center. It's a state run program that helps people start a business,
and it's free. Call the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, they should know
where they are in town, or the public library, they have a nice one down
town, I've been there, so say hello
Cincinnati Ohio : We just formed a non-profit organization to offer
complementary healing therapies (Watsu, Reflexology, Touch Healing Prayer,
Massage, Art Therapy, Therapeutic Gardening, etc) to all people, regardless
of their ability to pay. We have some monies committed to buy a $325,000.
facility but need more. We know we can apply for grants but they take forever.
Any 'quick' programs to either borrow this money at no interest
or get it 'free' from the government? thanks for any help you can
offer. JC
Matthew Lesko: There isn't much in the government that is quick,
or for that matter, much anywhere that is quick, So you best bet would to
continue through the non-profit and gov't sources for money. Remember that
the state can give to your non-profit for free and surplus property that
they intend to auction. Call the secretary of state's office for more info
Cookeville, TN : How do I get a small business grant?
Matthew Lesko: Grants are hard for business, I've identified about
2,000 money programs for business but only about 100 are grants, most of
the grants are for inventors, or at the state level... check with your state
economic development office in your state capital and remember they can
also help you find venture capital... the important thing is that your get
started, with grants, loans, begging etc.
Bucyrus, Ohio : Is there any government funding for registered nurse
schooling for married individuals, with income less than $25,000 per year
and a 4 person household?
Matthew Lesko: There are state, federal and private sources of money
for nursing. You can also call the National Health Information Center that
is part of the US Dept of Health And Human Services, they will do free research
on this topic for you... call the 800 operator to locate it
Kansas City, MO : Dear Mr Lesko, Are there any grants available for
development of a new automobile safety device, and also to start a business
selling alternative energy products (ie: wind generators& magnetic generators)?
Thanks, Jason Fifield
Matthew Lesko: Yes, the National Institutes of Standards and Technology
has a grant program for ideas like this. They are part of the US Dept of
Commerce and they wil also evaluate your idea for free.
New York, NY : Are there any companies that will help you to fill
out grant forms?
Matthew Lesko: There are grant writing consultants. IF you call the
Foundation Center in New York City. They may be able to direct you to find
someone. They office classes in the subject around the country.
New York, NY : I am a minority woman with a home based business in
Manhattan. Where would I go to apply for a grant? I was not directly affected
by the Sept. 11 attacks; will it be harder for me to obtain a grant?
Matthew Lesko: There is a lot of business money in New York plus
all kinds of free help. we have a free listing on our website called www.freeforvicitims.lesko.com.
there are bunches there FOR FREE, don't even have to buy a book.
New York, NY : How long does it take for a grant to be approved?
Matthew Lesko: Allow a few months, some say that they will answer
you in a few days.
MIDDLETOWN,R.I. : I WANT TO HOME SCHOOL MY CHILD. ARE THERE ANY FUNDS
AVAILABLE FOR MATERIALS USED IN HOME SCHOOLING?
Matthew Lesko: Don't know for sure where money is for this, but I'm
sure there is... but I do now you can get materials for free from the govenrment...
LOTS AND LOTS start with the Elementary and Early Childhood Eduation Clearinghouse
at 800-583-4135 http://ericeece.org. They will do this kind of research
for free.
Lancaster, PA : I am a 24-year-old recent WVU college graduate. I
was looking to open up a summer franchise or a dance club. The demographics
are perfect. The problem is obtaining a loan for the start of the project,
since on my credit report is my college loans and collateral is minimal.
What can I do to help get the ball rolling?
Matthew Lesko: Find partners to get the ball rolling, contact the
state government in Harrisburg and ask for the office of economic development.
They will help you put together a business plan that is the first step needed
to finding partners... their services are free because they government wants
you start a business because you will hire people and create jobs.
Hot Springs Village : How is it that these grants and other gov't
programs have existed so anonomously for all these years?
Matthew Lesko: none of the government agencies have money to advertise
these programs, that is why the rich people use them and the rest of us
pay for them... but don't trust me I'm a salesman too.
wilmington .nc : where can i go and get money to open a coffee and
book store.
Matthew Lesko: There are thousands of money programs for people who
want to start or expand businesses, No one person knows it all, not even
me no matter how hard I try. A good starting place is your local Small Business
Development Center, this is not the SBA although it is partly funded by
them. This is a network of local offices that help people in your start
find the money and help they need to start a business, call you state capital
operator in your state capital and they can direct you.
grand rapids, mi : how do i get money to pursue my inventions? thanks
Matthew Lesko: The major source of Federal government money for inventions
is a program call Small Buiness Innovative Research Grants. A fellow from
Texas recently called and told me he just got $99,000 from this program
for his invention. The Small Business Administration website should have
info on this. Also contact you state office of economic development.
Baltimore, Maryland : Does the paper work to get this "Free
Money" take a corporate lawyer to fill out or can an ordinary person
do this.
Matthew Lesko: It sort of like taxes, you can make it as easy or
as difficult as you want. I can have an accountant do my taxes and it will
cost me thousands and will be complicated as heck, or I can do what I do
every year, spend about 45 minutes doing it and take my best guess at everything....
That's how to fill out the forms. The important thing is to just fill them
out.
Boiling Springs, PA : Mr. Lesko, Thanks for this opportunity. I am
a novice writer. I produce stories geared toward adult action/drama/adventure
themes and work geared toward child storylines...but I also have a regular
full-time job. Is there any financial support out there for me to help me
finish and submit some of my books?
Matthew Lesko: I don;t think you need money to finish your books.
Go to the library and get a list of literary agents that specialize in childrens
stuff. Send them each a few samples, and then call them all and see what
they think. You'll have to do this when you finish the book, so you might
as well do this now and see if your stuff is sellable, that's how it happens.
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania : How/where can I find grants/low interest
loans for an investment in rental real estate. Thinking of rehabilitating
a 5 to 10 unit property, possibly within city limits.
Matthew Lesko: The main sources of real-estate money are 1) a book
called the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance located in your library,
2) you state office of housing in your state capital, and 3) all the cities
and counties you might develop in. They all have housing money, so get it
all.
rochester new york : Are there grants for returning students part
time or full time, from the goverment. any particular ones for nursing?
Matthew Lesko: I think i gave it my best shot earlier, I mentioned
looking at all the scholarship books, going to your state office of higher
education for programs and calling the National Health Information Clearinghouse,
they will do research for you at 1-800-336-4797 www.health.gov/nhic
Provo, UT : Can women in Network Marketing get grants...NOT loans?
Matthew Lesko: The answer is always yes, the question is how much
effort are you willing to make to get them, and do you really need them.
you may just need customers and the government can help you with that too,
every state has a special office for woman entrepreneurs, call you governors
office and ask
Charlottesville, VA : Hello Mr. Lesko We recently purchased a copy
of your book titled "Free Money to Change Your Life". We are in
the process of writing our business plan for a new small business. We are
a minority couple and I am a USAF Veteran. We have spoken with various people
from SBA/S.C.O.R.E. and a few other organizations and they've all said
the same thing. "There's no such thing as "Grants (Free money)"
to start a business. Regardless of what you are other authors say about
this topic. Please offer some assistance or suggestions.
Matthew Lesko: They are right there are no grants at the regular
government programs for business. But I too am right that the government
does give out grants to businesses. They are mostly at the state level.
I just read that the city of Arlington, VA gave a grant to a brokerage company
to set up business in their city. So the real answer is, like everything
else, "it depends".
Albuquerque, New Mexico : I'm in your program
with no success in finding a grant to open a healthy juice place in Louisiana.
Saw you commercial where a woman received a grant to open a coffee shop.
Who did she contact for her grant. Addresses please.
Matthew Lesko: The woman in the commercial got money form the local
government for her coffee shop, it was from Montgomery County, Maryland.
I visit the coffee shop myself. Most of their money was from loans.
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