What Are College Grants? (And How to Get Them): Top 25 Guides

A grant is a form of financial aid, similar to a scholarship, that is awarded to a student to help pay for education costs, and does not need to be repaid. Grants are often issued by organizations with a specific academic interest in mind, in the hopes that the awarded student will make a contribution in the chosen academic field while going to college or after graduating. Most grants are also awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need.

The main grant issued to students by the U.S. government is the Pell Grant, which can provide up to $5,500 per academic year for students who need extra financial assistance to complete a degree program. The sites listed here have information on national grants as well as subject specific grants, grants for residents of certain states, and even how to write your own grant proposal if the grant you’re looking for doesn’t exist yet.

In combination with scholarships and loans, grants are a solid option for students looking to finance their education.

1. Federal Education Grants

   

   Federal Education Grants is the official government resource that helps convey an understanding of different grant types, qualifications, and how to apply. Additionally, the site provides tools for teachers, parents and families, and preparation for students as early as pre-school.

   More About Grants: Parents and Families

2. National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs

   

   The National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs works to facilitate the highest quality of support to different grant programs throughout the country. Their site provides a great feed of news and updates on the status of student grants in the country.

   More About Grants: Research/Grant Resources

3. The College Grant Database

   

   The College Grants Database has compiled a plethora of grant information on their site, including fantastic career specific tools. For those looking to fund college in the best way possible, the website is loaded with valuable tools for finding the best grants across the country.

   More About Grants: Minority Grants

4. California Student Aid Commission

   

   The California Student Aid Commission works with students who are residents of California to ensure they have the resources they need to attend college. CalGrants.org is a subsect of the commission and educates students and parents on how to go about applying for grants and ensuring students are equipped with the proper resources to attend college.

   More About Grants: Who Qualifies for Grants?

5. Adventures in Education – Grants

   

   Adventures in Education equips students with information on grants and how to apply for them to ensure they have the funding needed to successfully tackle college. Aside from breaking down information on grants, they also list useful federal grants that many qualify for.

   More About Grants: Financial Aid Calendar

6. College Foundation of West Virginia

   

   The College Foundation of West Virginia has an array of information resources for students seeking grants, but the most compelling one is about the Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) Grant, which helps adult students with financial need complete their degree at a local college.

   More About Grants: HEAPS Grant

7. NY Higher Education Services Corporation

   

   The New York Higher Education Services Corporation is a great information source pertaining to grants for students, along with scholarships. Aside from giving students the knowledge to understand grants, they also provide links to different grants available throughout the state of New York.

   More About Grants: Grants, Scholarships, and Awards

8. College Grants.org

   

   College Grants.org is a comprehensive website with many different resources for students looking to find quality grants for college. With state-specific grant guides, directories for specific majors, and even types of students, the site is a fantastic tool for finding the grants you need for college.

   More About Grants: Business School Grants

9. Grants for College

   

   Grants For College posts a description, requirements, and helpful links to securing grants for attending college. They categorize different grants by state to help students around the country track down which will pertain to them specifically.

   More About Grants: Academic Competitiveness Grant Program

10. College Grant Guide

    

    College Grant Guide posts grants pertaining to different subjects, such as medical, law, and even minority specific grants. They help underline the options students have and even include a section where students can ask questions about grants and scholarships if they’re unsure about something.

    More About Grants: Grants for Older People Returning to College

11. College Grant & Scholarship Information

    

    College Grant and Scholarship Information is great for helping explain the process on to applying for grants and how students can be the most successful at securing them. They have sections with different grants as well, so students can scroll through the different ones they may qualify for.

    More About Grants: Future Educator Awarded $2,500 Military School Grant

12. Save Pell

    

    Save Pell is an initiative to promote Pell Grants and ensure that they are not cut through new measures included in proposed budgets in Congress. The site gives valuable resources for information on Pell Grants and the importance they play in American society.

    More About Grants: Resources

13. EducationGrant

    

    Education Grant.com underlines the importance of inquiring into less common routes for funding education, namely student grants. They have a search tool for students to look up particular majors and the best avenues to pursue quality grants.

    More About Grants: Grants

14. Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

    

    The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, also known as PHEAA, works to ensure Pennsylvania students have the grants necessary for college. Additionally, they help walk students through the process to guarantee they aren’t financially burdened upon graduation.

    More About Grants: Pennsylvania State Grant Program FAQ

15. College for Adults

    

    College For Adults helps those over 24 years of age secure a wealth of grants that are available specifically for them. When attending school as an adult, many different grant opportunities open up that previously were not accessible. The site guides adults through the process of different grants and scholarships to make sure returning to school is a smooth transition.

    More About Grants: Financial Planning

16. FedMoney – Grants

    

    FedMoney.org is an online guide that lists each student grant available with a dollar amount of how much has been awarded to-date. Scrolling through the list allows students to track down the most useful grants, no matter the field they are working in.

    More About Grants: Academic Exchange Programs

17. U.S. Government Grants

    

    Sometimes the best way to find a grant that meets your needs is to write it yourself. U.S. Government Grants offers grant writing tips, workshops and online courses for students as well as people applying for any other type of grant that the government offers.

    More About Grants: Student Grants

18. College Access Foundation of California

    

    The College Access Foundation of California funds many different grants in California and provides students with a list of the organizations that receive funding from them. The list is great for California students to search through the list for quality grants they may qualify for.

    More About Grants: Pathways to Success

19. College Grants

    

    College Grants is a website focusing on conveying the most useful resources for securing grants around the country. They provide students great tools for understanding effective ways to pay for college and also breaks down grants by subject and program.

    More About Grants: Apply for College Grants

20. BigFuture by The College Board

    

    Big Future has a bunch of useful tools for analyzing different grant types and what resources are best for particular scenarios pertaining to grants. They educate students on the basics and to understand the best grants for each.

    More About Grants: The Basics on Grants

21. Scholarships and Grants

    

    Scholarships and Grants helps fill the void for students between loans and paying for school out of pocket. Their valuable tips for understanding how to pay for college through grants can be crucial to students worried they will be unable to attend.

    More About Grants: The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

22. Ohio Higher Ed

    

    For Ohioans looking for valuable grant resources, OhioHigherEd is a go-to for finding the best grants available. The site explains the different grants available to students and how to apply for them before attending college in Ohio.

    More About Grants: Assistance Programs

23. Institute of International Education

    

    The Institute of International Education provides the book Funding for United States Study, which provides numerous grant and scholarship listings useful to any prospective student looking to attend college in the United States.

    More About Grants: Buy the Book

24. NAFSA: Association of International Educators

    

    The National Association for Studying Abroad has valuable guides and links for navigating financing options on studying abroad. Many students who don’t typically qualify for grants in college may see that grants for studying abroad are readily available on a need-based circumstance.

    More About Grants: Funding Factors to Consider

25. Mobility International USA

    

    Mobility International lists grants that help students with disabilities secure grants pertinent to college and that enable those students to study abroad. The site has many valuable tools for securing the grants and provides access to the grant applications as well.

    More About Grants: Grants