The government recognizes how important education is to children of all ages as well as adults. That’s why there are hundreds of different kinds of education grants available. You can apply for an education grant for tuition assistance, to attend training programs and conferences, to conduct research, and to improve the classroom or student experience (if you’re a teacher or administrator). There are also many low-income education grants you may qualify for as well.
1. Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
The HEERF grant is a grant provided directly to colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education that helps these schools remain open and functioning for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may be seeing the impact of the HEERF grant, funded by the CARES Act, if you are still able to attend your college even after the effects of the pandemic.
2. Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a needs-based grant provided to low-income students pursuing an undergraduate degree or qualifying postbaccalaureate certificate. The amount a student can get depends on their expected family contribution (EFC), which is based on the financial information they provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The amount can also depend on how much the student’s chosen school costs and whether they are going full- or part-time. You can find many online colleges that accept Pell Grants as well as traditional in-person colleges and universities.
Plus, you don’t have to apply for a Pell Grant separately; just fill out your FAFSA and you will be given a grant automatically if you qualify. However, availability is first-come, first-served.
3. Advanced Placement Test Fee Program
The Advanced Placement Test Fee (APTF) Program gives grants to schools and State educational agencies to pay all or a portion of students’ fees to take the advanced placement exam for various subjects. This program provides better access for low-income students to take these exams (and earn college credit by passing them) by eliminating the financial barrier.
This grant can be used to pay fees for the College Board Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge International (CI) tests.
4. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program
The federal SEOG grant is funded by the government and managed by participating institutions. You may be eligible for $100 to $4,000 per year, depending on your financial need. This amount is determined by your expected family contribution (EFC) that’s calculated from the financial information you provide on the FAFSA.
It’s important to note that not all schools participate in the FSEOG program, and each school that does receives a limited amount of funds each year. That means that funds are even more limited than that of the Pell Grant. Funds for the FSEOG grant are first-come, first-served.
5. TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant is one of the best grants for teachers because it provides up to $4,000 per year toward earning a degree (either undergraduate, postbaccalaureate or graduate) in education. However, to be eligible for this grant, you must be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant eligible program. You can search for colleges and universities that are participating in the TEACH Grant program or ask your current department administrator about enrolling in the program.
You need to complete a certain number of years of service as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students or in a high-need field. Otherwise, the TEACH Grant funds turn into Direct Unsubsidized Loans from the government.
