How to find grants for college
Grants can help students with financial need fund their education. Fill out the FAFSA to see what federal and state grants you might qualify for.
Written by
Freelance writer, Credible
Christy Bieber has spent more than 16 years in personal finance and is an expert on student loans, debt, social security, and mortgages. Her work has been published by The Motley Fool, CBS News, and USA Today.
Updated August 30, 2024, 10:29 AM EDT
Written by
Editor
Renee Fleck is a student loans editor with over five years of experience. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Morning Brew, and Sidebar.io, among other online publications. She is fluent in Spanish and French and enjoys traveling to new places.
Fox Money is a personal finance hub featuring content generated by Credible Operations, Inc. (Credible), which is majority-owned indirectly by Fox Corporation. The Fox Money content is created and reviewed independent of Fox News Media. Credible is solely responsible for this content and the services it provides.
College grants can help cover educational costs while reducing the amount of student debt you take on. Undergraduate students in the 2022-23 school year received an average of $10,680 in grant money, according to College Board. Unlike student loans, these funds don’t need to be repaid. Learn more about grants for college, who qualifies for them, and how to secure funding.
How do college grants work?
College grants are a form of financial aid that students generally don’t need to repay. Eligibility for most grants depends largely on financial need, and this need is determined when you fill out the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can see if you qualify for various federal, state, and institutional grants by filling out this form.
Similar to scholarships, grants can be used to cover a wide range of college expenses. In most cases, funds are applied first to cover tuition, fees, and on-campus living before becoming available for textbooks, supplies, and other educational costs.
Grants vs. scholarships:
Grants are typically need-based awards from governments or institutions, while scholarships are often merit-based and offered by organizations or schools.
Types of grants
There are different types of college grants offered by the federal government, or provided by states or other institutions. You may qualify for more than one grant.
Federal grants for college
Federal grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Education and require you to maintain certain eligibility criteria. If you change your enrollment status, such as withdrawing from courses or reducing your course load, you may lose your grant eligibility. In some cases, such as receiving additional outside financial assistance that impacts your financial need, you may even need to repay the grant.
Instead, Pell Grants are available under a special rule for children under 33 whose parents or guardians died in the line of duty on or after September 11. | ||
State and institutional grants
Many states have some type of grant program for eligible residents.To find agencies that offer college grants in your state, use the Department of Education State Contacts tool.
Here are some examples of college grants offered by specific states:
- Washington: The Washington College Grant is available to Washington residents with demonstrated financial need pursuing an approved certificate, job training, apprenticeship, or college program. Award amounts depend on your family size and income.
- Oregon: The Oregon Promise Grant helps cover community college tuition for Oregon high school graduates or GED test graduates with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is for tribal students attending eligible Oregon colleges or universities.
- Kansas: The Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant is for students enrolling in eligible technical education programs at qualifying Kansas institutions. There’s also the Kansas Comprehensive Grant for students with financial need who enroll full-time at a state university, Washburn University, or one of 18 private colleges and universities located in Kansas.
Some colleges and universities may also offer grant money for eligible students as well. Contact your school’s financial aid office to learn about funding opportunities.
How to secure a college grant
To access federal and state grants, your first step is to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA asks about your financial situation, as well as your parents' finances (if you are an undergrad), and your spouse's, if you are married.
Check Out: FAFSA 2024-25 application process guide
After you complete the FAFSA, the Department of Education processes your form and assigns you a Student Aid Index (SAI), which is an eligibility index number that your school can use to determine what types of federal aid you’re eligible for. The federal government, and many state governments and institutions, all use the information from the FAFSA to decide what types of financial aid — including grant money — to provide.
Important:
Grants are usually awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and each school has a limited funding amount each year. Submit the FAFSA early to secure your grant eligibility.
Managing grant funds
You’ll find out what specific grants you’re eligible for when your school sends your financial aid package. Your package will detail the total amount of federal and nonfederal aid available to you. Review this package carefully to determine the net cost of attending a particular school.
To understand your net costs:
- Find your school's cost of attendance in your financial aid offer or ask the financial aid office. This will include all expenses, such as tuition, transportation, and room and board.
- Subtract scholarships, grants, and work-study funds included in your financial aid offer.
This gives you the net cost you'll have to pay at each school. If you have money saved, you can subtract it from this amount to determine how much additional money must come from student loans and earnings from work. Try to minimize the loans you take out, since you’ll have to pay them back with interest.
Check Out: How to pay for college: 8 strategies to save money
Compare private student loan rates
FAQ
What is the most common college grant?
Pell Grants are one of the most common college grants. They're available from the Department of Education and they're awarded based on exceptional financial need. Enough funding is provided so all eligible college students who qualify will be able to receive Pell Grant funding. Students can receive up to $7,395 in Pell Grant funds for the 2024-25 school year.
What other grant options are there besides the Pell Grant?
There are several other grant options besides the Pell Grant, including TEACH Grants for eligible teachers offered by the Department of Education, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which is only available at certain schools. Many states also offer grants to residents with demonstrated financial need.
How do state-specific grants work?
The rules for state-specific grants vary depending on the state and grant program. Most are limited to residents of the state only, although you may be able to use the funds for college or university coursework as well as for technical or job training programs. Most state-funded grants also have a financial need requirement. You can check with the Department of Education in your state or with your school's financial aid office to find out about opportunities you may be eligible for.
Can I apply to receive multiple grants?
Yes. Applying for all grants you are eligible for, not just federal grants, can help. The more grants and scholarships you can qualify for, the more money you'll have available to pay for your college costs or your cost of living while you earn your degree.
Am I eligible for grants as a part-time or online student?
You are generally eligible for grants as a part-time or online student as long as you attend an eligible, accredited program. However, the amount you receive may be reduced if you're not a full-time student. Rules differ among grant programs, so you'll need to check specific eligibility requirements if you don't plan on attending a traditional college or university as a full-time student.