RoxanneWhat are your options when it comes to paying for school? You may think they’re limited to either having your own cash or getting student loans that put you in deep debt. That’s not necessarily true, though, as there are several other ways to finance your college career, and today we’ll discuss the best option of them all: Grants.
What Is A College Grant?
A college grant is a form of student aid that can help pay for your schooling. As for why we decided to focus on this type of funding, that’s because grants are free and don’t have to be paid back, unlike student loans. And while the same could be said for scholarships, grants can be easier to get since they’re primarily based on need versus merit. In other words, if you need money for school and are looking to get the most bang for your buck when applying, you can’t go wrong with grants.
Different Types Of College Grants
Besides the fact that grants are free money for school, here’s another reason to love them: They can come from various sources. Let’s take a look at the different sources where you can find college grant cash:
1. Federal Grants
Before you start searching for scholarships, loans, and the like, you should first apply for federal college grants. They come from the U.S. Department of Education, and they can put a decent chunk of change in your bank account to pay for various school-related purposes.
The most popular federal grant is the Pell Grant. With it, you can get up to $6,895 per year for tuition, books, housing, etc. As long as you can show sufficient financial need, you can qualify for a Pell Grant. To see if you qualify, go here to complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Doing so will open you up to possibly getting a Pell Grant and other forms of financial aid from the government and schools.
To discover other federal college grants, click here.
2. State Grants
After filling out your FAFSA and applying for federal grants, move down the list and apply on a state level. You can find state-specific grants for college here.
3. Grants From Colleges
After applying for federal and state grants, it’s time to see what specific colleges have to offer. Contact the financial aid office of the college you’re looking to attend and ask what grants are available.
4. Career-Specific Grants
Beyond getting grants from federal and state governments plus your college, you can also get them by simply picking a particular career path. For instance, if you’re looking to get an agriculture degree, you could get a Future Farmers of America grant.
5. Grants For Certain Students
Last but not least, look for grants that organizations offer to specific students. For example, you could get women, minority, single parent, or adult student grants, among others.
