College Grants
Read on for information on college grants and the types of college grants that can be availed...
What is a College Grant?
A college grant is similar to scholarship. However, unlike scholarships where there is no follow-up on the progress the students make, grants require a service and the organization that provides the grants generally checks on the progress the student makes and ensures that all obligations are met. These are usually awarded to graduate students in an effort to fund research or encourage study in a particular field or topic. It is usually the case where grants are not provided towards tuition fees but for expenses necessary to complete research. There are very few grants available for undergraduate students. The grant amounts vary greatly and can range from $100 to $100,000.
Types of Grants
There are various types of grants provided by different organizations. The category under which the grants are provided are generally divided as student specific, subject specific, degree level or for a minority community. Some of the common types of grants are:
- Federal Grants: These grants are provided by the federal government. Some of the famous and commonly sought grants are the Pell grant that has been in existence since 1972 and has provided funding to millions of low-income students. Although this program is under the whims and fancies of the federal government's budget, it has been a very valuable source of funding. Another commonly sought grant is the Academic Competitiveness (AC) grant which is available to undergraduate freshman and sophomores who have outstanding academic records and have demonstrated aptitudes for leadership and service.
- State Grants: Many states in the United States too have grant programs that is provided to resident students and is based on merit, need and area of study. Oklahoma provides needs based grants and specialized grant programs. The grant programs of the Michigan state are designed for a variety of students like undergraduates, academically gifted, low-income and adult students. Florida too provides grants and has programs similar to that of Michigan.
- Minorites Grants: African-American student grants have become hugely popular these days. As a matter of fact, the percentage of students belonging to the minorities background and have graduated with a four-year degree has risen dramatically. If you are a woman African-American student then you must contact Spelman College as currently it is the only college in the United States that is nurturing the needs women African-American students.
- Subject Specific Grants: These grants are very common especially considering the fact that many professional organizations would like to have some research done on the product of their organization. Corporations spend million of dollars on grants with the objective of attracting academically driven, talented students to their corporate folds.
- Student Specific Grants: Some grants have been designed keeping a specific category of students in mind. The most common categories are non-traditional(like adult students), low-income (or disadvantaged), graduate, undergraduate, high school and military.
- Women Grants: The grant programs that have been designed for the women help promote the participation of women in under represented degree programs like science, mathematics and business. The American Association of University Women which is considered to be one of the most influential organizations in the United States offers a wide variety of grants to minority and disadvantaged women who want to return to college and pursue a degree.
Like This Article? Please Share!

- College Grants for Adults
- Scholarships for High School Seniors Class of 2012
- Wacky Scholarships 2012
- The benefits of College
- Difference Between College And University
- Easy Scholarships for High School Seniors
- Easy Scholarships and Grants
- Top 10 Universities in the World
- Scholarships for African-Americans
- Wacky Scholarships
- Scholarships for High School Students
- Best Universities in the World
- Small Business Ideas for College Students
Post Comment | View Comments


