Top 20 College Grants

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An image of a grant application for our review of top grants

College is expensive whether you’re an undergraduate or PhD candidate. Affording tuition is easier with grants and scholarships.

Often called “gift aid,” a grant is free financial aid offering a specific dollar amount each year. Unlike loans, grants are awarded based on merit or need and don’t have to be repaid. Most grants come from:

  • the federal government
  • state commissions
  • private/non-profit organizations

The NCES reports that 85 percent of U.S. undergraduate students receive grants. That’s helpful considering the average tuition is $9,139 at public four-year colleges. The average price tag is $31,231 at private four-year universities.

Don’t pass up an opportunity for free money with these 20 great college grants.

Reviewing the Top 20 College Grants Available

1. AAUW Career Development Grant

Deadline: December 15th

The American Association of University Women offers career development grants ranging between $2,000 to $12,000. These grants are available to women holding a bachelor’s degree who are pursuing a graduate degree or certificate. Priority is given to women of color and women entering non-traditional fields. Eligible candidates for these college grants must be U.S. citizens. They must be enrolled at a regionally accredited four-year college on-campus or online. A $35 filing fee is required via PayPal.

Contact

AAUW Career Development Grant
1111 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-7700
aauw@applyists.com
Grant Link

2. Alexia Foundation Student Grant

Deadline: March 11th

The Alexia Foundation Student Grant honors a Syracuse University student killed in the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The grant provides $1,500 to full-time students enrolled in accredited U.S. or abroad colleges. Qualified undergraduate and graduate applicants must be studying photography or a related media. Applicants must have less than one year of full-time professional experience. They also must show a portfolio of high-caliber images, and exhibit dedication to promoting world peace through art.

Contact

Alexia Foundation Student Grant
P.O. Box 87
Bloomingdale, NJ 07403
grants@alexiafoundation.org
Grant Link

3. Carole Fielding Student Grant

Deadline: December 15th

This $1,000 annual grant is offered by the University and Video Association. The grant is available to undergraduate and graduate film students. To be eligible students must be studying:

  • film
  • TV
  • video
  • or new media production

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose and resume. They will also need a recommendation from a UFVA member sponsor. Finally they will need to submit a budget plan and research proposal or script for an upcoming project.

Contact

Carole Fielding Student Grant
702 South Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(866) 244-0626
ufvahome@gmail.com
Grant Link

4. Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

Deadline: March 2nd

This grant provides $5,000 per year to current and former foster children. The grant is designed to cover the tuition costs of job training or college education. Recipients must be under 22 years old and residents of California. While CA residency is required, students may qualify under the DREAM act without a social security number. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in their program. To maintain the grant over multiple years students must demonstrate sufficient academic progress. While students must be CA residents, they may attend university outside the state.

Contact

Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
11040 White Rock Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(888) 224-7268
studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
Grant Link

5. David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant

Deadline: September 15th

The David H. and Beverly A. grant is for graduate students researching anxiety disorders. The grant is funded by the APA. The $9,000 grant is only available to students at non-profit schools. Applicants must show satisfactory clinical knowledge and have IRB research approval. Other APA grants include the Scott Mesh Honorary Grant and Clara Mayo Grant.

Contact

David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5843
foundation@apa.org
Grant Link

6. Federal Pell Grant

Deadline: June 30th

The Federal Pell Grant is available to most students. The award is based on financial need. The maximum amount of the grant is $5,815 per semester for 12 semesters. This is just one of the financial aid devices offered by the U.S. Department of Education. You qualify for this an other federal financial aid by submitting the FAFSA form. Students must be pursuing their undergraduate degree full time to qualify for this grant. The amount of the award will vary based on the applicant’s expected family contribution.

Contact

Federal Pell Grant
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) 872-5327
Grant Link

7. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Deadline: June 30th

Students with exceptional financial need can also qualify for this grant. This grant will be automatically awarded, based on the information in your FAFSA. The grant is available to both U.S. citizens and legal residents. The amount of the award ranges between $100 and $4,000 per year. The grant is only available at participating colleges. If the grant is awards, like the Pell Grant, the funds will be disbursed directly into your college account.

Contact

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) 872-5327
Grant Link

8. Gilbert Matching Student Grant

Deadline: April 30th

This grant is offered by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. The $2,500 grant is available to legal in-state residents enrolling full-time or part time. The grant is only available to students at participating colleges. Only students pursuing their first diploma, associate, or bachelor’s degree will qualify. Students must have lived in the state for 12 months. They must also not be in default on student loans, and demonstrate financial need. Participating institutions will match 100% of the grant making it good for up to $5,000 per year.

Contact

Gilbert Matching Student Grant
454 Broadway Suite 200
Revere, MA 02151
(617) 391-6070
osfa@osfa.mass.edu
Grant Link

9. Ike Crumbly Minorities in Energy Grant

Deadline: February 15th

This grant is sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. The grant is available only to women and ethnic minorities. Qualifying ethnic groups are:

  • Black
  • Hispanic
  • Asian
  • Native American

The grant is for graduate or PhD students. The topic of the student’s thesis must be the development of petroleum and other energy resources.

Contact

Ike Crumbly Minorities in Energy Grant
P.O. Box 979
Tulsa, OK 74101
(855) 302) 2743
dkuye@aapg.org
Grant Link

10. Illinois National Guard Grant

Deadline: October 1st

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) bestows the Illinois National Guard Grant to waive eligible tuition credits at public, in-state two or four-year colleges for up to six full-time academic years. Qualifying students for these college grants must:

  • have completed one full year of National Guard service
  • be an enlisted member or officer
  • maintain an acceptable GPA
  • not be in default
  • pursue their first undergraduate degree

The grant can be combined with Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Contact

Illinois National Guard Grant
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 831-8549
isac.studentservices@isac.illinois.gov
Grant Link

11. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Deadline: June 30th

Another federal grant for college is the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, which can gift up to $5,775 yearly. FAFSA form applicants under 24 years old must have a parent or guardian who died in the Armed Forces after 9/11 and be enrolled at least part-time at an accredited college in America. It’s designed for U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who meet Federal Pell Grant requirements except the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Contact

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) 872-5327
Grant Link

12. Jackie Robinson Scholarship Grant

Deadline: February 15th

Valued at $28,000 over four years, the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Grant is awarded to minority, financially needy high school seniors. They must be planning to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited senior college or university in the United States. Chosen recipients must:

  • show leadership capacity
  • be committed to community service
  • have U.S. citizenship
  • score at least 1,000 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT
  • submit one letter of recommendation.
Contact

Jackie Robinson Scholarship Grant
75 Varick Street 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10013
(212) 290-8600
requests@jackierobinson.org
Grant Link

13. Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant

Deadline: April 1st

Administered by the Florida Department of Education, the Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant is presented for $2,000 annually to students of Hispanic origin who were born in or have natural parents born in:

  • Mexico
  • the Caribbean
  • Central
  • South America

Eligible applicants for these college grants must:

  • attend a participating Florida institution
  • carry a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0
  • exhibit unmet need
  • take at least 12 credits per semester
  • not owe loan repayment.
Contact

Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(888) 827-2004
OSFA@fldoe.org
Grant Link

14. KHEAA College Access Program Grant

Deadline: Varies

The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority offers the College Access Program Grant to award up to $1,900. It’s for financially needy state citizens who are attending participating public or private undergraduate colleges. Eligibility criteria mandates:

  • having Kentucky residency for at least 12 months
  • pursuing an associate or bachelor’s program
  • enrolling at least half-time

Applicants should submit the FAFSA quickly after January 1st since funds are first-come, first-served.

Contact

KHEAA College Access Program Grant
P.O. Box 798
Frankfort, KY 40602
(800) 928-8926
grants@kheaa.com
Grant Link

15. Mary Minglen Memorial Grant

Deadline: October 29th

The Mary Minglen Memorial Grant awards $1,200 each year from the American Occupational Therapy Association. It’s for full-time students who are pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited U.S. college for a clinical occupational therapy career. For consideration, students must:

  • have completed at least one year post-baccalaureate
  • carry a cumulative GPA over 3.0
  • attach two recommendation letters
  • display potential for OT practice

There’s also the Carolyn Kohn Memorial Grant for New Yorkers.

Contact

Mary Minglen Memorial Grant
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 292-1034
jcooper@aotf.org
Grant Link

16. NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant

Deadline: December 1st

The NCAA funds a $7,500 Graduate Student Research Grant annually. It’s to encourage master’s and PhD students at member schools to perform cutting-edge research concerning the psychosocial well-being of collegiate student-athletes. Priority is given to graduates focusing in the social and behavioral sciences, including sport psychology. Qualified recipients for these college grants will:

  • be U.S. citizens
  • pursue accredited U.S. study
  • exhibit research competence
  • submit research proposals worthy of publishing in NCAA Champion magazine.
Contact

NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 917-6222
lbell@ncaa.org
Grant Link

17. Pennsylvania Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant

Deadline: March 31st

Each spring, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) distributes the Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant for $500. It’s for in-state residents who supply written documentation from a licensed physician regarding their significant visual and/or hearing impairment. Before filing the FAFSA, students must be accepted for full-time or half-time enrollment at an eligible Pennsylvania post-secondary institution. Those maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 can renew the grant for five years maximum.

Contact

Pennsylvania Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant
P.O. Box 8157
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(800) 692-7392
lclark@pheaa.org
Grant Link

18. TEACH Grant Program

Deadline: June 30th

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant is for $4,000 a year.  The program is hosted nationally to highly qualified students who are attending an accredited U.S. college for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education. Applicants must be preparing for a high-need field, such as:

  • TESOL
  • special education
  • science
  • literacy
  • math
  • foreign language

They must have a minimum GPA of 3.25. Recipients must agree to teach at least four academic years at a low-income, PreK-12 school.

Contact

TEACH Grant Program
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) 872-5327
Grant Link

19. Texas Tuition Equalization Grant

Deadline: None

The College for all Texans awards the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant each year. It’s for up to $5,046 to in-state residents or non-resident National Merit Finalists who are receiving $1,000 or more in competitive scholarships. Recipients must:

  • attend a private, non-profit Texas university
  • have financial need
  • have a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • complete at least 24 credits per year
  • register for Selective Service
  • enroll on at least three-quarters basis.

Eligibility is determined automatically considered from the FAFSA application.

Contact

Texas Tuition Equalization Grant
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, TX 87811
(512) 427-6101
Reinold.Cornelius@thecb.state.tx.us
Grant Link

20. Zell Miller Grant Program

Deadline: Last day of the term

The Georgia Student Finance Commission offers the Zell Miller Grant Program. It’s to cover in-state undergraduate tuition for earning a certificate or diploma. This must be at public institutions in the Technical College System of Georgia or University System of Georgia. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Eligible candidates must have not earned a bachelor’s degree or received grant payments for 63 semester hours. Depending on their FAFSA form, recipients could also obtain the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant.

Contact

Zell Miller Grant Program
2082 East Exchange Place
Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 724-9000
gacollege411@gsfc.org
Grant Link

Grants for college can swoop in and save the day for many financially needy students lacking the resources to cover tuition. Even if you don’t meet low-income requirements, there are merit-based grants awarded for:

  • research
  • community projects
  • or service agreements

Grant opportunities are growing in number to help minimize student debt. Instead of signing your salary away with hefty loans, finance your education with this reserved grant money. All 50 states have tuition assistance agencies, so these 20 great college grants are just the beginning!

GCD Staff

Related to best grants for college students:

This concludes our coverage of the top 20 grants for college.

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