Grants and What Makes you Eligible

Government grants is the government’s way of being able to help able bodied individuals to pursue their high educational dreams. Federal, state, and local agencies offer government grants which are monetary awards that do not have to be paid back.

Government grants are often perceived as elusive, because the full application process can be quite complex and requires significant perseverance. As a matter of fact, the U.S. government’s official site cautions readers that the government does not give away “free” money to start a business. That only grants are awarded under specific conditions and fund a variety of sources.

Federal Grants

The Pell Grant – This is the largest grant program offered by the Department of Education to undergraduate students. Created in 1972, the federal Pell Grant program has been awarding grants to students since the 1973-1974 school year. It was named after Sen. Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island, the chief sponsor of the program.

And these – Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.

These major federal grants represent the U.S. being able to help those that need it the most finically. As well as military individuals who are aiming to go back to school. There are several grants and scholarships available to those that are serving military.

Types of Grants Available:

  • State grants
  • Science grants
  • Math grants
  • Low-income grants
  • Fortune 500 company grants
  • Churches
  • Volunteer organizations
  • Banks and credit unions
  • Work/Employer
  • Labor unions
  • professional associations
  • Advocacy groups
  • Emergency
  • If you’re a parent
  • If you’re disabled
  • Ethnicity
  • International student

To say it fairly, it’s quite a list when it comes to looking for a grant. But that’s the best part because more than likely there will be a grant that’s technically designed for you.

For example, this is what your eligibility would be if you were to apply for a Pell Grant:

  • Be an undergraduate student who has not earned a bachelor’s degree (with some exceptions for students in post baccalaureate teaching programs.)           
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program.       
  • Have earned a high school diploma or a GED or have completed a high school education in an approved home-school setting. 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.

And with any finically based grant, you’ll receive an award amount that’s determined by your finical situation. In the easiest terms, the worse your finical situation is, the bigger the amount of the grant.  So, what do you do? It’s simple, just follow the eligibility criteria by showing you fit everything listed. Then show that you can fulfill the requirements of the grant in order to receive approval for a grant.

If you cannot fulfill the requirements and you’ve already submitted your application, just contact the information available on that website or call the foundation to speak to a representative.

No matter what, everyone is eligible for a grant! Just search for the company you are interested in or if you need finical assistances, look into government grants.