The Obama administration announced its budget today focusing on clean energy jobs and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.  Any individual looking for a stable career should pay attention to these fields.

The budget discussed the importance of clean energy and infrastructure in job creation, which translates to more jobs in the engineering and science fields.  Already, these fields are among the highest paying, as well as the most stable.  For instance, civil and environmental engineering jobs are expected to grow much faster than average, according to the Department of Labor.  The department also reports that the average salary for these two careers is around $74,000 a year.

Most careers in these fields require an education, which means that if you want to make this kind of money, you need to get a degree.  Luckily, the government will help you pay for it. The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) will give eligible students enrolled in a STEM subject up to $4000 for their third and fourth years of college.

For those just entering college, there is good news for you, too!  The budget includes a $17 billion increase in Pell Grant funding. This federal grant awards low income students up to $5350 a year for the purpose of getting an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.  Both of these grants can be used to help pay for an accredited degree online.

You can find the Pell Grant application online, which is also known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The online FAFSA grant form will also allow you to see an instant estimate of the aid that you will receive.