Undergraduate College Grants

After graduating from high school, many individuals decide to further their education. A bachelor's degree can open up career opportunities that require more than a high school diploma. Whether students choose to pursue their degrees online or in the classroom, higher education can be expensive. Fortunately, there are financial aid programs for which many undergraduate students qualify. By talking to the financial aid office at your school and doing a little research, you will find that grants are obtainable through institutionally-funded programs.

Various colleges and universities have their own funding set aside for grant programs. Some seek to promote interest in a high-need field, such as science-based majors, while others are geared toward assisting ethnic minorities. However, seeking aid from your school of choice is only the first step in finding a grant.

One of the most well-known government grants is the Pell Grant, which is offered to students who are in economic need. That is not the only grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Funded by the government, the Academic Competiveness Grant rewards students of merit. The National SMART Grant rewards science and math majors in order to promote retention in these fields. These awards can total up to $1,300 and $4,000 respectively for students who meet all qualifications. All undergraduate students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA to see if they qualify for any government-funded programs. It is possible that you will qualify for aid, even if you don't think you do.

There are private institutions that fund undergraduate pursuits as well. Associations such as the American Indian College Fund and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants target undergraduate minorities who study in unrepresented fields, such as mathematics, science, computer science, and engineering. Other institutions target students with economic need, exceptional merit, or both.

When searching for undergraduate grants, it is important to look through the qualifications of each prior to applying. If you fit the criteria, then you may find that your higher education experience will be less of a financial burden.

List of Undergraduate College Grants

• Harris Wofford Awards — $500 awarded each year to undergraduate or graduate student.

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.