There are not any federal grants designed specifically for adopted students, but the Federal Pell Grant program awards as much as $4000 dollars per academic year to all manner of students demonstrating financial need. Pell Grant recipients may also be eligible for a number of additional federal grant programs.
Most states have programs similar to the federal Pell Grant for available to students staying in state for their postsecondary education. Several states also allot college money to students who were adopted using a state's foster care program.
There are a number of private foundations or charitable organizations that award scholarships to adopted students. The Gordon Evans Scholarship awards up to $1000 each year to incoming college students who went through the foster care system.
Student loans are available to the most needy students for college costs that are not covered by grants and scholarships. Adopted students should check with their schools of interest for any specific financial aid options available through the institution.
Any student hoping for financial aid for college needs to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Check the FAFSA Web site for important deadlines.