Apply for federal student aid. Visit the Department of Education's website and complete the FAFSA form. You may qualify for grant money, which---unlike student loans---does not need to be repaid. If you are going to school to obtain your bachelor's degree, you may qualify for a Federal Pell Grant. In order to receive this grant, you must have a high school diploma or an equivalent GED, and you must be a U.S. citizen. Federal Pell Grant funds are dispersed at the beginning of each year of your attendance.
Apply for a government scholarship or fellowship. Government scholarships and fellowships differ from government grants because they are dispersed on the basis of merit rather than need. You can search available scholarships and fellowships at students.gov.
Apply for a federal grant. The government offers financial assistance in the form of grants to projects such as buying land, starting up a small business or writing a book. If you are involved in any projects while pursuing your degree, you may qualify for a federal grant. To search available grants for which you may qualify, visit grants.gov.