* Demonstrated Financial Need: This is the most common requirement. Grants are typically awarded to students who come from low-income families and can't afford college without financial assistance. Need is often determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a similar state-level application. The application will ask for details about your family's income, assets, and size.
* Enrollment or Acceptance at an Eligible Institution: You must be enrolled or accepted at a college, university, or vocational school that participates in the grant program. Some grants are only available at specific schools or types of institutions.
* Citizenship or Residency Status: Many grants require you to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. Some may also have restrictions on residency within a specific state.
* Academic Achievement (sometimes): While not always a requirement, some grants, particularly merit-based grants, consider your academic performance (GPA, standardized test scores, etc.). These are less common than need-based grants.
* Specific Majors or Fields of Study (sometimes): Some grants are specifically designed for students pursuing particular majors, such as STEM fields, education, or the arts.
* Demographic Factors (sometimes): Some grants target specific groups, such as women, minorities, veterans, or students with disabilities.
* Extracurricular Activities or Community Service (sometimes): Some grants may favor students with a record of involvement in extracurricular activities or community service, demonstrating leadership or commitment to a cause.
To find out the specific qualifications for a particular grant, you MUST check the grant's eligibility requirements directly. Don't rely on generalized information. The application materials will clearly outline the criteria. Websites of the granting institutions (federal agencies, state governments, private foundations, and colleges) are your best resources.