Millions of Scholarships, personalized results
College grants are a kind of financial aid that you don’t need to pay back. You might use a grant to pay for tuition, books, housing and other school expenses.
Like a scholarship, grants for college are free money that you can use to fund your education. Unlike student loans which you have to reimburse, you only pay back a grant under a few conditions. For instance, if you withdraw early from a program or change your enrollment status.
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:
Scholarships are usually awarded based on student merit. Things like academic, athletic or artistic talents. Many scholarships are available through:
The number of students attending 4-year colleges and receiving aid is on the rise.
At last count, the federal government awarded $30 billion dollars in need-based grants. Recent figures show that 63.3% of college undergraduates receive grants. The average amount of grant money received by a college student is $7,400.
Eligibility to receive a grant for college tuition varies. But to qualify for federal student aid one needs to meet a few basic requirements. These are:
Grants for college are more often need-based but some are merit-based too. These grants may have a performance indicator. This might mean you need to maintain your GPA at certain level.
Merit-based grants often factor in an applicant’s grades, commitment to community service and leadership. Instead of your family income. Receiving one might add some prestige to your college transcripts. Your home state may have a variety of grants like this.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers a range of federal grants. These need-based grant programs provide free college money. They are usually for students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. The amount of money each person receives may depend on:
The EFC is your Expected Family Contribution. In other words, what you can afford to pay for college. State grants may boost your college fund too. This can help if your EFC is low, and your federal financial aid doesn’t cover your tuition.
To come to a number, an EFC asks for several things. Your family’s taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits. Benefits include unemployment or Social Security. It might also factor in in the size of your family and if more than one person will be attending college in the same year.
The four main types of federal grants that provide funds for college are:
When looking for federal grants to pay for college, there are some steps to take:
Some organizations and corporations also sponsor grants. These grants often reward students who excel in high school and plan to study in a specific field. They may line up with colleges that have these programs. Or, allow a student to use the money at the college of their choice. Free college grant money may be available if you fall into one or more of the following categories too:
The Department of Education in your state may help you find grants to help you pay for college. Most states offer need-based college grants in amounts determined by your FAFSA. You may need to maintain a GPA, be a resident and/or pursue specific majors.
In addition to federal grants for college, many grants may be available within your home state. Here are the top grants that may help you pay for your college education.
Total: $11316
Awards: 3
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Total: $4000
Awards: 1
Deadline: June 30
Total: $72000
Awards: 10
Deadline: July 31
Total: $4000000
Awards: 20
Deadline:
Total: $1500
Deadline: May 01
Total: $3919
Awards: 100
Total: $25000
Awards: 5
Deadline: March 24
Total: $1000
Deadline: July 01
Total: $5000
Awards: 50
Deadline: August 25
Total: $6495
Our Scholarships
Sponsored Meaning Explained
EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Ad” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school. Your trust is our priority. We at EducationDynamics believe you should make decisions about your education with confidence. that’s why EducationDynamicsis also proud to offer free information on its websites, which has been used by millions of prospective students to explore their education goals and interests. close
Enter the $2,000 Scholarship from Niche.
Enter the $2,000 Scholarship from Nitro.