What Kind Of Grants Can You Get For College

How College Grants Differ From Scholarships & Student Loans

Unlike student loans, college grants do not require repayment. College grants are just like scholarships with 1 exception: cholarships may be need-based or merit based, whereas most grants are typically need-based. Students must fill out a FASFA to check their elegibility for federal grant programs.

College grants are primarily awards of free money, that do not require any repayment on the part of the recipient. They can be directed toward specific educational expenses, specific types of students, or general purpose. Unlike scholarships, which are typically awarded on the basis of academic achievement or athletic, artistic or extracurricular performance, grants are awarded according to financial need. This is not to say that academic merit will not be considered, only that financial need is given greater weight in the final decision making process.

Grants for college-bound students are supported by a variety of different sources, including:

• Federal and State Governments
• Public and Private Organizations
• Professional Associations

Regardless of the source of the grants, the purpose remains the same: to make a college education more accessible to all students by supplying the necessary supplemental funds to help them meet their total college costs.

Tips On Applying For Student Grants

1. Consider your characteristics. Each year grants are awarded to thousands of individuals on a virtually unlimited number of traits. Some common grant categories include:

2. Match yourself to the eligibility requirements. Review all of the details and make sure you fit the grant profile. Do you have the required grade point average? Do you fit within the income requirements? Does your school participate in this particular grant program? Do not waste your time applying for grants unless the minimum standards are met.

3. At the same time, do not limit yourself unnecessarily. By widening your grant search, you may find lucrative grants that are indirectly connected to your selected field of study. Applicants may also gain significant advantages by attending a college in a nearby state. Obscure grants that no one has ever heard of can work to your advantage by applying, you will face less competition. Remember to search for synonyms. For example, English majors could search for grants related to English, writing, editing, publishing, poetry, authors, novels, essays, and other relevant topics.

5. Apply for need-based, merit-based, talent-based, and project-based grants, if applicable. Submit the FAFSA, but do not overlook other local and national grant sources. Apply to as many funding sources as possible.

The Federal Supplemental Opportunities Grant

The Federal Supplemental Opportunities Grant is a grant that is given to students that have an exceptional financial need. Adult students can obtain this grant, but they must be considered low income and have a very low EFC.

There is no way to apply for the FSEOG directly. Instead, you must complete the FAFSA and then you will notified if you are eligible. They will generally provide an amount between $100-$4,000 depending on the cost of the institution and the amount of need you have.

The only thing to remember with this program is that if you receive the grant, then you are obligated to teach in underprivileged communities in inner cities or rural areas for at least 4 years. If you do not fulfill the obligation, the grant money that you received in college will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that you must pay back with interest from the date when you received the grant. You can obtain this grant by completing the FAFSA.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does It Cost To Go To Berkeley College

Fund Your College With Free Grant Money

Higher education is an extraordinary expense under the best circumstances, but single parents face even greater challenges paying for college. Often, mothers suspend their educational pursuits to address the needs of their children. When a mom is on her own, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to jump back in and complete her studies.

Grants and scholarships help single mothers, many of whom are living in poverty, advance their upward mobility through education. Whether you are a first-time college student, or a single mother returning to school, there are public and private grants aimed at helping you succeed. As a single parent, your best approach is to capture as much general aid as you can, but also to target funding that is explicitly offered to financially challenged moms.

Grants and scholarships are similar, in that they are not repaid, but distinction exist between the two. Grants are usually issued based on the financial need demonstrated by recipients. Scholarships, on the other hand, are tied to performance indicators like grades and test scores. In practice, many organizations responsible for issuing student aid to single mothers use the terms indiscriminately. A wealth of scholarships are in place that do not require applicants to prove their worthiness beyond financial need. For all intents and purposes, these are grants. Dont allow semantics to limit your search for financial aid.

• Federal and State Governments
• Womens advocacy groups

Maximum Lifetime Limit For Student Aid

There are lifetime limits on the number of weeks you can receive student aid. This includes interest-free periods while you are in school. Once a lifetime limit has been reached, interest starts to accumulate. You will also have to start paying back the loan 6 months after you graduate or finish your studies.

Full-time students can receive student aid for no more than 340 weeks, except:

• students enrolled in doctoral studies can receive student aid for up to 400 weeks
• students with permanent disability can receive student aid for up to 520 weeks

Don’t Miss: Fsaid Ed Gov Legit

State Grants For College

Once youve tapped out your options for federal grants, your next option is to explore state grants. There are many ways to do this, but one of the easiest might be to contact your state grant agency.

Our complete guide to state grants for college also lists opportunities. Only Nevada, New Hampshire and Utah are among states that dont have active grant programs available for resident students.

Most state grants are need-based, but some states have grant programs specifically for:

• Students pursuing an in-demand career
• Graduate or professional students
• Adults returning to school, perhaps on a part-time basis
• Children of public servicemen and women

Again, your states grants are likely accessible only after you complete the FAFSA and your states unique financial aid application .

What Is A Grant From The Government

A grant is one of the ways the government funds ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Grants support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research, and many other programs. You can find a list of projects supported by grants in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance . You can also learn about the federal grant process and search for government grants at Grants.gov.

You May Like: What College Is In Terre Haute Indiana

Public College Grants Vs Private College Grants

Some grants can be used only at public institutions of higher ed while others are confined to private colleges and universities. These types of student grants are often seen in college-specific aid packages, but they may also originate from external organizations.

Graduate School Grants:

• The Beinecke Scholarship Program gives $34,000 to students wanting to attend graduate school for the arts, humanities, or social sciences.
• The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program donates up to $90,000 toward graduate study. Applicants must be younger than 31, have completed a level of education between their college senior year and their graduate school second year, and be classified as a New American .

Law School Grants:

• The American University Washington College of Law awards need-based grants to full-time JD students for up to three years. The grant must be renewed annually, and applicants must complete the Need Access form.
• The American Bar Associations Legal Opportunity Scholarship encourages racially and ethnically diverse women and men to attend law school. These grants provide $15,000 over three years.

Medical School Grants:

Nursing School Grants:

Business School Grants:

Technical School Grants / Trade School Grants / Vocational School Grants:

Grants From Your School

The FAFSA is not the only way to get financial aid. You can also visit the College Board to fill out the CSS Profile, which goes more in-depth than the FAFSA and can help you unlock additional funds for school, including grants.

This application does cost money, though. Its $25 for your first application and $16 for each additional school, although application fee waivers are available.

Unfortunately, not all schools participate. Still, the CSS Profile can be a good way to see if a school you thought was too expensive might be able to give you more aid than others.

You May Like: Cape Fear Community College Housing

When Grants And Scholarships Arent Enough

The gift aid offered by colleges you apply to might not cover all of your costs. In these situations, your financial aid award letter will also provide options for taking out student loans to pay for college.

Before taking on too much debt:

Find a student loan thats right for youIf grants dont cover your education costs, a private student loan could help fill the gap.

• Multiple lenders compete to get you the best rate
• Get actual rates, not estimated ones
• Finance almost any degree

College Grants For Graduate School

When it comes to getting grants for your field of study, there are many you can take advantage of if you attend graduate school.

If youve already secured a fellowship for graduate school, this might not apply to you. But for everyone else, look to

• Your colleges financial aid office
• Professional organizations in your field
• Scan search engines like the Labor Departments CareerOneStop

Grants not enough? Before you resort to student loans for your second degree, consider other financial aid for grad school.

Don’t Miss: Is Central Texas College Accredited

Free Grants And Grant Scams

If you receive information stating you qualify for a “free grant,” it’s probably a scam. Get information from the Federal Trade Commission so you can better recognize and avoid grant scams. If you have been a victim of a grant scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC.

Contact your state consumer protection office if you have purchased a book or paid a fee to get grant information and are not satisfied.

How Will I Receive My Scholarship Or Grant Money

Lets say you win a scholarship . Can you expect someone to come knocking at your door with a giant check or sack of cash? Well, unfortunately not. Its much less theatrical than that, but it should be a seamless transaction.

Usually, the money from government or private scholarships and grants will go straight to your college account, where it will be applied to any tuition, fees, or other outstanding balances. It may also be sent by check or direct deposit into your bank account. If you dont know how you will receive your grant or scholarship money, ask the organization that is providing it.

Depending on the type of aid you receive, the money may be sent as a complete amount or multiple disbursements that add up to the total scholarship amount.

You May Like: What Is The Easiest College To Get Into

Consider Grants From Your School

While the FAFSA is the mainstream gateway to financial aid, it is not your only option. You can also fill out a CSS profile to get access to grants as well scholarships for your college education.

Unlike FAFSA, the CSS profile is a slightly more in-depth option that costs $25 for your application and $16 for each school. If there is a school you feel is way out of your league, this may be worth it.

How Much Will I Get In Pell Grant Money Whats The Maximum Pell Grant Award

Your Estimated Financial Need helps determine how much Federal Pell Grant aid youre eligible to receive.

However, there is a maximum cap of $6,195 for the 2019-2020 award year.

In some situations, a student may receive up to as much as 150 percent of the students Pell Grant award for the award year, often referred to as year-round Pell. This could happen in a situation where a student is enrolled in both the fall and spring semesters, but receives an award for the summer semester as well. For example, the student receives the Pell Grant award for $2,000. The student would most likely receive $1,000 for the fall semester, and $1,000 in the spring semester. Some circumstances might allow the student to receive $1,000 for the summer semester as well, resulting in 150 percent of the students Pell Grant award. However, even the year-round pell is subject to that $6,195 maximum.

Don’t Miss: Who Buys Back Used College Textbooks

Us Department Of Justice Grants

The US Department of Justice offers a number of grants. Most of these grants involve community safety initiatives, reducing recidivism rates, drug abuse prevention, helping felons reenter society and stopping violence. The DOJ offers educational materiel to help guide you through the application process.

What Grants Are There

Fortunately, there are several different federal grants you could be eligible for. You can view a list of them here.

However, dont forget that some institutions, organizations, and companies award grants as well. And you can also apply for scholarships. Dont stick to just one method of free money for college, and you might be able to lower the amount of debt youll have to take out.

Recommended Reading: How Many College Credits Do You Need

Write A Killer Scholarship Essay

The scholarship essay is a crucial part of your application. The essay goes beyond your GPA and gives the scholarship awards committee a sense of who you are as a person. Dont be afraid to get personal after all, this is your story.

Grants And Loans For Full

The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program offers student grants and loans to full-time and part-time students. Grants and loans help students pay for their post-secondary education.

• Apply for grants and loans in one application, directly with your province of residence
• You don’t need to repay grants you receive
• You need to repay loans after finishing school, with interest
• You may be eligible for more than 1 type of grant – when you apply with your province, they will assess your eligibility for all available grants

Read Also: Colleges With Best Dorms

Loans To Cover The Rest Of Your Expenses

Students often need to use a variety of forms of financial aid to pay the entire cost of college, including living expenses. Grants are capped at a certain amount, or disbursed among many students and therefore diluted, so they may not be enough to cover the whole cost of attendance.

Scholarships are another form of free money that can be used to pay for college costs. These are often merit-based and usually require an academic, athletic, or arts-related achievement. You can obtain both grants and scholarships to pay for college expenses.

Student loans are another option to pay college tuition and living expenses while going to school. Student loans are offered through the federal government and through private lenders. When you submit your FAFSA, you will determine how much and what kind of federal financial aid you qualify for. This includes federal student loans. If you need more funds to pay for college and living expenses than federal aid provides, private student loans are an option. Private student loans typically offer the best rates to those with an excellent credit rating, stable income, and a low debt-to-income ratio.

Students just starting out often dont have much in the way of credit. If you choose this route, you may need a credit-worthy co-signer to help you get the best interest rates.

Faq: Understanding Grants For Graduate School

Students who are looking for funding for their graduate studies may have many questions about how to receive grants. The following are the answers to some of those questions.

What is a grant for graduate school?

Grants are a form of financial aid that do not have to be repaid and are often provided to students based on their financial need. In some cases, the organization providing the grant may also consider other factors, like academic performance, when awarding these funds.

Who is eligible to receive a grant in grad school?

Generally, students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university in order to be eligible to receive a grant. Also, depending on the award, there may be other eligibility requirements, such as minimum grade point average, type of degree program, and research goals.

Whats the difference between grants and fellowships?

Grants are generally offered to students based on their financial need, while fellowships are often based on academic achievement and research.

What is the application process like?

The application process for grants is similar to that of scholarships. In some cases, as with some governmental awards, students can be considered by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In other cases, students are required to fill out a separate application to receive a grant, and in addition to being asked for financial information, they may be required to submit a statement about their academic achievements and goals.

You May Like: Do Native American Go To College For Free