A grant is similar to a scholarship because you have to apply for it and it is free money that you don't have to pay back. You can also use scholarships and grants in conjunction with one another or with additional scholarships, grants and student loans. Grants are not just for educational purposes. There are so many different grants available, some common examples include: Academic Grants, Business Grants
There are different types of Grants for College: Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Academic Competitive Grant and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant
All of these grants Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Academic Competitive Grants and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants are provided to students who are from low income families. The grants can be applied for online or with assistance at your Universities financial aid office. Additional Information about these grants can be found below.
Academic Competitiveness Grant or ACG is awarded to undergraduates who receive Federal Pell Grants and are U.S citizens. Requirements included being enrolled in atleast a two year academic program offering credits for a bachelors degree or a graduate degree program that includes three academic years of undergraduate education.
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National Smart Grant) is for undergraduate students who are enrolled in their 3rd or 4th academic year, receive Pell Grants and are U.S citizens. They must be enrolled in an eligible program that can lead to a bachelors degree in an eligible major or a graduate degree program. The award ranges up to $4,000 dollars for each year. This however is GPA dependent you must have atleast a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants is money that is available for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, or families with the lowest Expected Family Contribution or EFC. Students who receive Pell Grants have priority for these FSEOG grants! The value ranges from $100 - $4,000 dollars a year. However there is no gaurantee for who can receive FSEOG grants.
An academic grant can be recieved by anyone who attends college. The requirements are more lenient for students receiving a grant to go to college. Unlike scholarships a student who receives an academic grant is generally not required to maintain a specific GPA or take a specified number of courses. There are also special grants for Under Graduate and Graduate students. There are grants that are just for women and grants that are just for minorities.