The United States Office of Postgraduate Education lists several different opportunities for federal grants, fellowships, and loans. Three types of undergraduate-level opportunities are available.
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship recognizes exceptionally able high school seniors who show the potential for further excellence in post-secondary education. Interested students should apply directly to the State Education Agency in their home state.
The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad provides three-year grants to U.S. institutions and organizations to conduct overseas language immersion programs. Students should contact funded projects directly to apply.
The Institute for International Public Policy provides one grant per year to assist a consortium of colleges and universities in the establishment of an institute to increase minority representation in international service. Students should contact the Institute to apply.
Opportunities for graduate students are more varied.
The Jacob K. Javits Fellowship provides funding to students pursuing the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students apply directly to the Department of Education for this fellowship.
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships provide three-year grants to universities who distribute the money as fellowships to students for the study of modern foreign languages and international studies. For more information, students should contact the funded institutions.
The Fulbright Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad program provides fellowships for students enrolled in modern foreign languages and area studies programs to conduct research overseas. Students apply through their U.S. institution of higher education.
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad is also offered at the graduate level, awarding three-year grants to U.S. institutions and organizations to conduct overseas intensive language programs.
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need is a program providing grants to colleges and universities who use those funds to award fellowships to students in areas of national need, including biology, computer information science, engineering, geological science, math, and physics.
(see Reference 1)
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation offers grants to institutions advancing post-secondary education for low-income students. Grants are for institutions only, not individuals.
The Foundation works with organizations developing strategies to make obtaining a two-year degree easier and more affordable, and to help post-secondary institutions explore innovative approaches to attract, retain, and teach students. (see Reference 2)
The Student Support Services Program is a series of government grants awarded to public and private institutions to increase the number of disadvantaged, low-income college students, first generation college students, and college students with disabilities who successfully complete a program of study at the post-secondary level. Grants awarded may be as much as $300,000. (see Reference 3)