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Types of Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are the best kind of financial aid because in almost all cases you do not have to repay the money you receive.

An all inclusive list of scholarships and grants is provided below.  Note that the most significant scholarships and grants are campus-based (come directly from the colleges and universities themselves).

Campus-based scholarships and grants (from the colleges and universities themselves).  These awards vary from $100 per year to full-ride scholarships and grants.  These include Need-based, Merit-based, athletic, and specific attribute scholarships.

Private scholarships (from national organizations, local organizations (such as Rotary Club), private foundations, parents’ employers, individuals, religious groups, professional organizations, or companies).  These vary from approximately $100 up to several thousands of dollars per year and include Need-based, Merit-based, and specific attribute scholarships.

Federal Grants:  These are strictly Need-based awards and include Pell Grants, FSEOG grants and Academic Competitive Grants (AC Grants).  Pell Grant awards range from $400-$4,731 per year and all eligible students will receive the amount they qualify for.  Pell Grants are reserved for the neediest students.  FSEOG Grant awards range from $100-$4,000 per year and are designated for students with exceptional financial need.  FSEOG Grants are administered by the colleges themselves and depend on available college funding; priority for FSEOG grants is given to Pell Grant recipients.  Academic Competitiveness Grant (AC Grants) provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who successfully completed a rigorous high school program.

State Scholarships and Grants.  These awards vary from a few $100 to more than $10,000 per year and primarily include Need-based awards.

NOTE:  You should continue to search for scholarships during the entire school year (scholarship announcements are made year-round).  For national scholarships use online search engines, for local and regional scholarships look for announcements in your high school bulletin or talk with your high school counselor.