How To Find And Apply For College Grants
You dont have to be a perfect student or write a long essay to apply for need-based grants and you dont have to pay them back either.
Edited byAshley HarrisonUpdated March 1, 2022
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If you cant afford all of your education expenses, youre not alone. But before taking out student loans, its a good idea to use gift aid like scholarships and grants for college. These are the best kind of financial aid, providing funding for school that you dont have to pay back.
Unlike merit-based scholarships, grants are typically provided to students based on their financial need. That means you dont have to be a perfect student or write a long essay to apply for a need-based grant.
Heres everything you should know about using grants for college:
College Grants Vs Scholarships: Whats The Difference
Both grants and scholarships are forms of gift aid. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, grants and scholarships are different from one another.
Scholarships are typically awarded based on merit or certain qualities, such as academic excellence or athletic performance. You can qualify for a scholarship based on your talent, regardless of your economic circumstances.
Unlike scholarships, grants are usually need-based and awarded based on the students economic status. If you are a low-income student with financial need, you can qualify for grants to reduce your education costs.
Some grants have requirements you must meet in order for them to remain as gift aid. If you fail to meet the requirements, some grants are converted into student loans and must be repaid, so its important to carefully review grant criteria.
Proofread Your Childs Application And Essay
A good application and essay are essential for scoring the best scholarships and grants. However, careless typos and poor grammar can easily let an application or essay down. Sometimes students are too close to their work to see the mistakes. Thats when an extra pair of eyes come in handy, and you can provide them.
Offer to proofread your childs applications and essays before theyre submitted. Mark any errors you find or places where the work could be improved. Make sure you also take time to praise your child for the work, so he or she doesnt feel discouraged. Make sure your son or daughter understands that youre simply making sure the application and supporting documents are the best they can be.
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What Does It Cover
The maximum WCG award amount will cover full tuition at any approved/eligible in-state public college or university, including community or technical colleges. At an approved private college or career training program, WCG provides a comparable amount toward tuition and other education-related costs.
Apprentices in a participating program may be eligible to receive the Washington College Grant for Apprenticeship . WCG-A provides funding for apprenticeship expenses such as tuition, fees, and materials.
Amounts vary based on income, family size, and school or program cost. Students and families can use the financial aid calculator to estimate their potential WCG award.
Learn more about WCG eligibility and awards.
Banks And Credit Unions
Some national and local banks and credit unions operate scholarship programs, too.
US Bank gives scholarships worth up to $10,000 to students that register for its program to learn about student loans, budgeting, and other personal finance topics.
The Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union offers scholarships to its members graduating high school seniors or enrolled in undergraduate programs. Chosen students will receive $500 scholarships for their college education.
If you have a bank account, contact your local branch or call customer service to find out if your bank or credit union has a similar program.
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How To Find State Grants For College
The federal governments four grants for college and graduate students can all be found under the same roof: the Department of Education. But there are a few different ways to find state grants for college.
Like with scholarship opportunities, youll want to be aware of grant application deadlines and eligibility rules. These programs are typically restricted to residents attending qualifying in-state schools, for example.
In some cases, you might apply to the states education department in others, you may need to apply directly with your school or by listing the school on your completed FAFSA. Almost all state grants require filling out the FAFSA.
Additionally, many states exclude applicants who have defaulted on a student loan.
Whether youre a wide-eyed freshman, a graduate or professional student or an adult going back to school, heres a rundown on state grants for college.
Scholarships Vs Grants: Whats The Difference
While scholarships and grants are both forms of gift aid, theyre very different.
Grants are awarded based on financial need. Theyre typically given to low-income students based on the information about a familys financial situation as submitted in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid . Grants are issued by the federal government, states, schools and nonprofit organizations.
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The American Board Of Certification Of Teacher Excellence Teach And Inspire Scholarship Program
Applicants for the Teach and Inspire Scholarship must:
- Hold US citizenship or permanent residency
- Have a bachelors degree
- Not hold a renewable teaching license
- Be willing to make a 3-year teaching commitment in a high-need area in South Carolina, Mississippi or Florida
Graduating seniors are welcome to apply within two weeks of their official graduation date. Visit the JSU website to find out more.
Low Income And Disadvantaged Students
Most college grants are designed to address the needs of students who are facing a financial shortfall in their college funding. That being said, a wide range of grant programs are dedicated to providing financial aid to students in more extreme circumstances. Grants for low-income students are specifically designed to address the financial needs of students from economic or socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Typically, these programs will be sponsored by state and Federal governments, advocacy groups and charitable foundations.
In addition to grants dedicated to the economically disadvantaged, there are a wide range of grant programs designed to target the needs of students with both physical and mental disabilities. Grants for students with disabilities help to increase college accessibility to students facing a wide range of personal challenges, including blindness, hearing impairment, autism, and decreased mobility due to physical impairment. Disabled students looking for grants to help them pay for college should begin their search by focusing on advocacy groups and charitable foundations dedicated to the needs of people with their particular disability.
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Emu National Scholars Program
The EMU National Scholars Program is a four-year award that pays 30 credit hours per year of out-of-state tuition differential.
The student must be a new freshman or new transfer student with a minimum 3.50 GPA and a resident of a state other than Michigan or Ohio to be considered. Freshmen recipients must live in university housing the first two years of this award.
Institutional State And Merit Based Grants
Institutions of Higher Education also provide financial aid. These programs target the financial shortcomings that exist between what a family is able to pay, and what the school actually costs. Some institutional programs are strictly need-based, while others are tied to academic performance.
Merit Awards are school contributions that reward academic achievement in a way that resembles giving scholarships. Merit awards are sometimes tied to financial need, but in many cases eligibility is open to all high-achievers, regardless of their ability to pay.
States initiate grant and scholarship programs of their own. When you submit your FAFSA and have your resulting SAR submitted to colleges within your state, you are automatically considered for some state grants. Others require separate applications, so consult with the financial aid office where you plan to attend school. College financial aid departments are best equipped to provide information about specific grant programs that might yield fruit for you.
State grants are linked to need, achievement, and a host of other individual features that define eligibility. Specific program requirements can often be accessed through individual states issuing agencies. For example, the Wisconsin Higher Education Aids Board lists the following opportunities:
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Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
To qualify for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, the student must:
- Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A students residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend.
- Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
- Meet specific coursework and minimum grade point average and test score requirements which are outlined on the Office of Student Financial Assistance website.
For more, visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org.
ATS The Academic Top Scholars award, announced by the Florida Department of Education before the end of the fall term after all term one disbursements are reported, is awarded to the Florida Academic Scholar with the highest academic ranking in each county .
The recipient receives a cost per credit hour award established by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act in addition to the Florida Academic Scholars award. For current year award amounts visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org.
See the fact sheet at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org for more info.
Firsthand Experiences Of Finder Team Members
Anna chooses a repayment plan for her federal loans
Anna was lucky: She got a free ride for college and graduated without any student debt. But when it came to graduate school, she didnt have nearly as many financing options. By the time she completed her MA, shed accumulated more than $39,000 in federal unsubsidized student loans.
Anna found income-based repayment plans too complicated, so she signed up for the extended graduated repayment plan offered by her servicer, Great Lakes. Repayments started at an affordable $208 per month for the first two years. And by the time her payments increased, shed already landed a higher paying job.
Andy negotiates a better deal on private student loans
Andy graduated from college with $62,000 in private student loans from Sallie Mae. But after his grace period was up, he wasnt making enough money to afford that kind of repayment.
He deferred it for another six months, but by the time his second grace period was over and he still couldnt afford repayments. Sallie Mae began frequently calling him and his parents his cosigners to demand repayments.
Andy explained his situation and convinced Sallie Mae to switch him to an income-based repayment plan. It reduced his monthly repayments to $301 until 2019, when Sallie Mae will reassess his income.
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Why You Can Trust Bankrate
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. Weve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that were putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.
Our loans reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most the different types of lending options, the best rates, the best lenders, how to pay off debt and more so you can feel confident when investing your money.
Keep A Calendar Of Deadlines
All scholarships and grants have strict deadlines your child must adhere to. Ask for details of all scholarship and grant your child is applying for, Then write down the deadlines on your calendar. Follow up with your child to ensure all application materials are submitted before their due dates.
Your child will still need to complete scholarship and grant applications, but identifying good opportunities for them can ease stress during the transition to college. Helping your child connect to organizations offering scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of their education.
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Take Note Of The Scholarship Deadline
Getting your scholarship application in order may involve various steps and will take time, so make sure you start the process at least a month before the deadline.
Its better to get your applications in earlier than later to give yourself time to account for unexpected delays. It also gives you the advantage of offering the scholarship award committee a sneak peek at your stellar time management skills. So get those deadlines on the calendar in bold print and fight the urge to procrastinate.
Most scholarship applications will require:
- High school transcripts and diplomas
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- A resume
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The Negro Spiritual Scholarship
The Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation works with Orlando Opera to sponsor a vocal competition for sacred music performed by the solo voice in characteristic Negro spiritual style.
Senior high school students of eleventh or twelfth grade level who are of Afro-ethnic descent may enter a statewide vocal competition to rehearse and perform these arranged Negro spirituals. Students who enter the competition must work with a voice teacher to learn a new piece of music sent to them, and to meet the high vocal standards of this competition. Winners claim the coveted Grady-Rayam Prize In Sacred Music, a college tuition assistance grant for $3,000.
Runners up gain $2,000 as a college tuition assistance grant. All singers who make it to the final round receive a cash award of one hundred dollars.
Visit the foundations website to learn more.
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Can I Refinance My Federal Loans
You can, but it might not be the best idea. When you refinance your federal loans with a private lender, you give up several benefits that include loan forgiveness for teachers and public servants, deferment programs for healthcare and legal professionals and flexible repayment plans.
Federal loans also generally come with some of the lowest interest rates out there rates that are fixed by the federal government. Chances are, you might not be able to find a better deal with refinancing. Talk to your loan servicer to explore your options before turning to refinancing for federal loans.
Refinancing Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS loans dont come with as many benefits as most other student loans so refinancing might also help you save. You can also refinance a Parent PLUS Loan in your name or your childs name to help build their credit and release you from their student debt, improving your personal debt-to-income ratio.
What Are The Differences Between Grants And Scholarships
Both scholarships and grants are forms of gift aid. This means, it is money you can use for college that you do not need to earn or repay. Either a grant or a scholarship may help you answer the question how can I pay for college without going into debt? But the terms are not interchangeable.
Grants are usually awarded based on student financial needs. Popular grants that college students apply for are available through:
- Federal government
- State/local governments
- Colleges, universities, career schools
Scholarships are usually awarded based on student merit like academic, athletic or artistic talents. Many scholarships are available through:
- Private or community foundations
- Nonprofit and for profit corporations.
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Access To Better Learning And Education Grant Program
To be eligible for the Access to Better Learning and Education Grant, the student must:
- Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A students residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend.
- Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
- Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree.
- Enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per term, or the equivalent at an eligible Florida college or university in a baccalaureate degree program.
- Meet Floridas general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.
- Not be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity.
Visit www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org to learn more about the ABLE Grant Program.
Speak To People Within Your Community
Is your child an active member of the community? Their community spirit could be the key to securing a lucrative grant or scholarship. If your child has never joined community groups, theres no better time to change that. Encourage participation, as the connections he or she makes could help secure college funds.
Reach out to people running organizations your child is involved with, like sporting teams and your local church. While local organizations dont typically offer large grants, they couldcover the cost of textbooks or the security deposit on a rental. These grants usually have fewer applicants than larger monetary prizes, so your childs chances of securing one are pretty good.
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