College women should consider the most popular federal grant for higher education, the Pell Grant. These grants offer up to $5,550 in aid in the 2010-2011 school year for women with a qualifying Expected Family Contribution of up to $5,273. The FAFSA serves as your application for this common and convenient grant.
Elementary or secondary education students willing to teach in underserved rural or inner city areas for four years after graduation qualify for TEACH grants. If students do not complete the required four years within eight years of graduation, the grant money converts to federal loans.
More than 4,000 universities partner with the U.S. government to offer the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) to low-income students. Women enrolled in one of these universities with demonstrated financial need may qualify. Institutions have some flexibility in what they offer to low-income students, but usually women with the lowest Expected Family Contributions receive the most FSEOG grant funding.
Women whose secondary schools provided a "rigorous program of study" as defined by the Secretary of Education may receive the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG). Find a list of these programs at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-smart/state-programs.html. First year college students may receive up to $750 in ACG funds in addition to the Pell grant. Second year students maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are eligible for up to $1,300.