Although many grants for distance learning students come from private technology companies and from education agencies, there are a few offered by other branches of the federal government. The USDA is a little known benefactor to agricultural and medical students looking for a distance learning education. This federal department offers 28.2 Million dollars per year to students in medical and agricultural fields in grants. To apply for this grant, simply go online to the "Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program" application guide. This guide can be downloaded as an Adobe Reader file or as a Microsoft Word Document.
Challenge grants are state funded grants awarded to students who complete winning proposals to the state in their selected field of study. These grants are often given to students for the purposes of distance learning. In order to receive a challenge grant, you must write a proposal on a subject of your field and how your continued education will help you further some concrete goal, usually resolving a specific question concerning your field of study. While these grants are often given to students pursuing graduate studies, Michigan and Alaska have both recently granted undergraduate students Challenge funds for continued study.
Pell Grants are federal grants offered by the government for all sorts of college education including Distance learning courses. Pell grants are offered based on the living conditions and financial status of the applicant and the number of dependents the applicant is supporting. Like all grants, Pell grants never have to be paid back. Apply for Pell grants the same way you apply for all federal student aid, by filling out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA.)