The main federal grant for students is the Pell Grant. Upon completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your undergraduate school or postsecondary institution will inform you of your eligibility and award package. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average award is around $2,945. Explore state or local organizations for additional programs. For example, in Tennessee, Dual Enrollment Grants award money to high school students who also enroll in college courses. In Texas, the state government offers a Towards EXcellence Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant (Collegeforalltexans.com) for high school graduates who cannot afford to attend college. The College Access Program (CAP) offers Kentucky students the chance to enroll in colleges, universities and technical schools (Kheaa.com).
The federal government provides several specific grants and targets all types of business, including small businesses and nonprofits. Grants are distributed through various departments, such as the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. Examples of types of grants that businesses are eligible for include charter schools, after-school programs, early education, energy and technology. The Oregon Cultural Trust offers financial support for nonprofit organizations for the arts, heritage and humanities (Culturaltrust.org).
Federal grants to assist individuals in tackling consumer debts are unavailable. Be sure that you understand all of a grant's requirements, such as whether reporting deadlines must be met to qualify for the grant. In addition, scam artists may develop fraudulent schemes relating to grant guides. Keep in mind that URLs for legitimate federal and state government websites often end in .gov. For instance, Oregon uses Oregon.gov. Also, keep in mind that you must register for federal grants at Grants.gov before you are allowed to submit applications. Use the appropriate checklists to ensure that you have successfully registered.