Many grants which you may find are based on a money-for-service system. Many of these grants are aimed towards students in specific fields of study and interested in a career in that field. Many of these grants are based on recipients agreeing to conditions and spending time working at a facility which matches the career the grant applies to. Should the recipient fail to meet the requirements of the grant, it will revert into a student loan and it will be treated as such, including all the fees that come with student loans.
Federal Grants
These grants are given through the Department of Education and funded by the government through Federal Student Aid. These types of grants should be a first stop looking for financial assistance.
- Federal Pell Grant: This is the most common type of grant which students have access to. Most Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduate students who do not have a bachelors or professional degree. Unlike student loans, you do not need to pay back the money from loans, except for certain circumstances. The scenarios which would lead to you paying back the money from a Pell Grant would be: withdrawing early from the program, enrollment status changes in a way that reduces your eligibility, you receive outside scholarships which reduce the need for federal student aid, or did not meet the requirements of specific types of grants. The amount of money you can receive is dependent on: financial need, cost of attendance, status as a full or part-time student, and how long you plan to attend a school for. The amount you can attain can changes from year to year, currently in 2017, you can attain a maximum of $5,815.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This is a campus-based financial aid program for students who are at a greater financial need than others. Students with an EFC of 0% are the first to be considered for a FSEOG. The funds trickle down the recipients until the funds are dried up unlike a Pell Grant which awards money to every eligible student. Recipients of this grant can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year depending on need. You will receive the money from your grant either from the school will credit your account, pay you directly, or through a combination of the two.
- Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): The ACG is offered to low-income first and second year college students. In order to receive the ACG you must be enrolled full time in a two to four-year college program and maintain a GPA of 3.0. The ACG is also a mixture of need-based and merit-based programs, but recipients must also be Pell Grant recipients. The ACG focuses on students focused on Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes. Recipients of the ACG can receive $750 in their first year, and $1,300 in their second year.
- National SMART Grant: The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grant is somewhat of a continuation of the ACG grant. It provides funding for low-income third and fourth year college students. In order to be eligible, you must be a Pell Grant recipient and academically talented as well as a student focusing in STEM majors or high need foreign languages. Students receiving the SMART grant may receive up to $4,000.
Career Based Grant:
Military Grants:
- TEACH: Teacher Education Assistance for College (TEACH), is a grant used to help students get through college if they agree to teach in areas of high need after graduation. Students who agree to the conditions of the TEACH grant agree to a four-year teaching commitment for $4,000 a year towards their degree.
Military Grants:
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: Much like other grants, this grant also helps students get their college degree, though these grants have more specific criteria. You may be eligible for this type of Grant if your EFC does not make you eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and meet other Federal Pell Grant requirements outside the EFC. Perhaps most important is your parent/guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of their service in Iraq or Afghanistan. You must also be under 24 years of age or enrolled in college at least part time at the time of your parent/guardian death. The amount of money which can be awarded cannot exceed the maximum of the Federal Pell Grant award of $5,815.
- Montgomery G.I. Bill: This is perhaps one of the oldest government sponsored education programs. In exchange for military service, recipients will be reimbursed for college education.
There are many many more grants than I could possibly list here, so follow this link for a list of 101 College Grants you could look into.
State Grants
Every state’s Department of Higher Education monitors and regulates the colleges and universities within the state. State departments of education also offer grants and scholarships in-state for their residents. These grants typically focus on low-income students as well as women and minorities. There are many career-specific grants for students in highly needed fields such as education and nursing. There are more than I can possibly list here and I am sure you don’t want to read through them all. So, I will list categories of grants and provide links to further information on those specific categories so that you may read for yourself.
- Grants for Minorities: These grants are meant for educational organizations to increase the diversity on their campuses as well as provide opportunities for groups which aren’t as highly represented.
- Students Pursuing High-Need Fields: The main fields addressed under these grants are nursing, and teaching. These grants are usually work-based grants, meaning you will get money for agreeing to work in certain fields after college generally for 2 to 4 years. Should you not follow up on this work end of the bargain the grants will be treated as student loans.
- Other State Grants: The information on these types of grants varies from state to state. Scroll down to the bottom of State-Based College Grants to find grants specific to your state.
Non-Government Grants
Once you have exhausted all possible state or national grant offerings, you can start looking elsewhere for financial assistance. Much like scholarships, various private industries, corporations, or religious organizations may offer grants to students. These grant offers may have very specific requirements but often provide considerable financial assistance. In some cases, colleges and universities, themselves may offer grants to prospecting students in specific fields or careers. These grants are somewhat harder to find, but by researching the web pages of your prospecting college. They are hard to find, but can offer great and worthwhile rewards.
Student Specific Grants
There are hundreds of grants available to students based on various factors and qualifications. Far too many to list here. So, much as I did before, I will provide the general topics grants cover as well as links to further information on these specific grants. There are 8 main areas which student grants fall under:
Education should be offered to all regardless of race, gender, creed or financial opportunity. Through programs such as grants and scholarships, any student can find their way into higher education. It is essential that you consider all options available to you before student loans. When you are preparing to head to college or a university, finding money for your education outside of student loans should be an essential element of the process. Don’t fall into the debt of student loans, and find ways to further your education. Don’t let your finances hold you back from a possible future in higher education.
- Student Specific Grants: Focus on a wide range of possible students and are not generally focused on any specific majors or degrees.
- Subject Specific Grants: Focus on grants for students studying specific subjects in higher education. As I am sure you have already gathered, these grants are based entirely on the subject matter you are studying. If you are planning on a major based on math, science, or engineering, check the links below.
- Degree Level: These are grants aimed towards a certain level of education which are at and currently attaining. For example, there are grants applicable to only undergraduate or graduate majors.
- Undergraduate Grants
- Graduate Grants
- Doctorate Grants
- These grants can be highly competitive and focus specifically on students conducting research to complete these higher level degrees. These types of grants are more commonly known as “Fellowships” and are often sponsored through a specific college or university. Unlike most undergraduate grants, these grants place a much higher emphasis on academic achievement as opposed to financial need. These grants may include research travel and stipends to cover costs.
- Minority Grants: Are grants geared towards students from minority backgrounds in order to increase the diversity of their campuses. We live an ever globalized world and it is important for the schools and campuses of America to reflect all aspects of culture and life.
- Non-Traditional Students: Meaning adults who are returning to school to earn degrees in various fields. Due to this growing number of new students, there are specific types of grants geared towards them. They are sponsored by state, and local governments and focus on adults seeking to better their own lives and the lives of their families.
- Low Income and Disadvantaged Students: Many grants, just like scholarships are aimed towards severely financially struggling students. These grants are generally funded federally and state wide. There are also many grants available to students with various physical or mental disabilities. Each and every student should be guaranteed and education and those looking for grants should look first towards advocacy groups and charities dedicated to their particular disability.
- Military Students and Families: Grants offered through all branches of the military to serving members. These grants can extend to families of those serving in the military should they die or be disabled in combat. While the military can offer great grants, scholarships, and benefits, it is important to seriously consider what will be expected of you. It is an honorable job defending our nation, but there is a great deal of responsibility in this regard. Be sure you do your research before signing up.
- Grants for Women: Many colleges and campuses have provided opportunities for women to rise through the ranks in higher education and ensure they find their place. Sadly, women are largely underrepresented in many college communities so it is important to provide aid and opportunities for women in higher education.
Education should be offered to all regardless of race, gender, creed or financial opportunity. Through programs such as grants and scholarships, any student can find their way into higher education. It is essential that you consider all options available to you before student loans. When you are preparing to head to college or a university, finding money for your education outside of student loans should be an essential element of the process. Don’t fall into the debt of student loans, and find ways to further your education. Don’t let your finances hold you back from a possible future in higher education.