College grants are ideal for students who simply cannot afford their education. Unlike loans, a grant does not have to be paid back. This obviously makes them a popular choice with students. However, not everyone can benefit from an education grant so what criteria do you have to meet to be eligible for one?
Merit Based Government Grants
A lot of college grants are given to students who need help financially. Merit based government grants on the other hand are designed to help those who are high achievers. If for example a student has achieved academic distinction in science, they can apply for help from the National Science Scholars Program in America.
Federal Pell Grants
Another American grant that students can apply for is the Federal Pell grant. Both part time and full time students can apply and it does not require a minimum grade level. You can only receive one grant per year and you have to be studying towards your first undergraduate degree.
How Need Based Grants are Awarded
The majority of grants are awarded to students that genuinely need the financial help. Eligibility will depend on a variety of factors including how much your family can pay, how many dependents you have and your academic achievements to date.
If you are approved then the grant will usually be provided by the Federal government. In some situations local state governments will pay. One thing to remember is that even if your family are earning substantial income, you may still qualify for a grant. Therefore you should not let this put you off applying.
There are many different grants available and you should research the different ones to see which would best suit your needs. College grants can really help you out if you cannot afford to pay your tuition fees.