Federal grants are a way of getting money to help with your studies and the best part is that they do not need to be paid back! There are several available and they all have different criteria, so not everyone will be eligible to receive them. They do exist, however, and provide an invaluable lifeline to many prospective and current college students. Federal grants for college students are the most common type of grant, although state governments, colleges and some private organizations also offer grants.
There are four main types:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
While scholarships are often merit-based, grants are allocated based on the needs of the individual. Federal grants for college students have opened the door to college for many students who might not otherwise have been able to go.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is the most common type of grant available to college students. It has been helping people attend university since it was introduced in 1972. It is awarded based on financial need.
It is usually only available to undergraduate students. There is a maximum amount that can be given, but that depends on things like the cost of tuition, whether it is full-time or part-time education, or whether the course is for a full academic year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This grant is given to students who are in the most severe of financial hardships. It is therefore allocated solely based on need.
It is allocated by the financial aid office of the college the student is attending and is usually awarded to people already in receipt of a Federal Pell Grant, yet who are still struggling financially.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH)
The criteria for qualifying for a TEACH grant is a bit different. First there are academic requirements, which must be met.
They include:
- Scoring better than the 75th percentile on a college entrance test
- Maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.25
More importantly, however, are the other commitments that are required. To qualify for a TEACH grant the student must agree to teach for at least four years in a school that caters for students coming from low-income families. The subject the grant recipient has to agree to teach must be in a high-need field.
High-need fields include:
- Bilingual education
- Foreign language
- Mathematics
- Reading specialist
- Science
- Special education
If the above requirements are not met, the grant received under the TEACH program might be turned into a loan. However, if all the criteria are met, the grant will never need to be repaid.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is available to students who meet part of the same criteria applied to The Federal Pell Grant. Additionally, the student must have been under 24 years of age when a parent or guardian died as a result of US military service in Iraq or Afghanistan post 9/11.
There are many more grants available depending on your unique situation and whether or not you meet the specific criteria for eligibility. Do your research and find out if you qualify for a grant.
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