College grants come from four overlapping sources: the federal government, your state, the college you attend, and private foundations or employers. Each has its own eligibility rules, awards, and application paths. This page outlines all four so you can build a complete funding strategy. For background on how grants differ from scholarships, work-study, and loans, see financial aid grants.
1. Federal grants
Federal grants for undergraduate students are awarded almost entirely on the basis of financial need, as measured by your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA.
Federal Pell Grant
The largest federal need-based grant. For 2026–27, the maximum award is $7,580. See Pell Grant for income guidance, lifetime limits, and the full application walkthrough.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
A campus-based grant of $100 to $4,000 per year for Pell-eligible students with the greatest need. Available only at participating schools and awarded until each school's allocation runs out — file the FAFSA early. See FSEOG.
TEACH Grant
Up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 undergrad cap; $8,000 grad cap) for prospective teachers in high-need fields who agree to teach for at least four years in qualifying low-income schools. If you don't fulfill the service obligation, the grant converts to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest. See TEACH Grant.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (Children of Fallen Heroes)
For students whose parent or guardian died in U.S. military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11. Functions like a Pell Grant for eligible students who don't otherwise qualify for Pell.
2. State grants
Almost every state operates one or more need- or merit-based grant programs funded by state appropriations and federal block grants. Examples include:
- Cal Grant (California)
- TAP — Tuition Assistance Program (New York)
- Bright Futures (Florida)
- TEXAS Grant (Texas)
- Illinois MAP (Illinois)
- Pennsylvania State Grant (PA — PHEAA)
- HOPE Grant / Scholarship (Georgia)
- Promise programs in many states (Tennessee, Oregon, others)
Most state grants require the FAFSA plus, in some states, a separate state aid form (e.g. NY TAP, IL MAP). State deadlines are often months earlier than the federal FAFSA deadline. The NASSGAP survey tracks state student-aid programs nationally.
For state-by-state details, see our state pages — for example California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, or the full list on the site map.
3. Institutional grants
Most U.S. colleges and universities offer their own grants and need-based scholarships, often funded by endowment income and annual giving. Institutional aid takes several forms:
- Need-based institutional grants — awarded from FAFSA (and at many private colleges, CSS Profile) data. These can be the largest single piece of an aid offer at well-funded private universities.
- Merit scholarships — awarded for academic, athletic, artistic, or leadership achievement.
- Departmental and major-specific grants — administered by academic departments.
- First-generation, transfer, and identity-based programs — many colleges run targeted programs to support specific student populations.
Always ask each college's financial aid and admissions offices which institutional aid programs you may be considered for and whether any require separate applications.
4. Private and foundation grants
Private grant funding comes from foundations, civic organizations, employers, and religious congregations. While individual awards are usually smaller than federal or institutional grants, they add up — and they have less competition than the largest national scholarships.
Common sources:
- Foundation grants — see foundation grants.
- Identity-based programs — UNCF, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, AICF, APIA Scholars, AAUW, Point Foundation. See African American grants, Hispanic grants, Native American grants, Asian American grants, and women grants.
- Employer education benefits — many U.S. employers offer tuition assistance or scholarships for employees' children.
- Religious congregations and denominations.
- Local community foundations and civic groups — Rotary, Kiwanis, Elks, Knights of Columbus, and local businesses.
How to apply
- File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov as soon as it opens. This unlocks federal, most state, and most institutional grants.
- File any state aid form required by your state in addition to the FAFSA (e.g. NY TAP, IL MAP).
- Ask each prospective college what institutional aid you may be considered for and whether any forms beyond the FAFSA are required.
- Search private and foundation grants through free databases such as CareerOneStop, BigFuture, and your state higher-education portal.
- Apply to many small awards rather than betting on a few national ones.
- Refile the FAFSA every year to maintain eligibility for federal, state, and most institutional aid.
There is no application fee for the FAFSA or any legitimate college grant. Anyone charging to file the FAFSA or "match" you to federal aid is misrepresenting the process. Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
Which college grants do I have to repay? None, in normal circumstances. The TEACH Grant converts to a loan if you don't complete the four-year teaching service obligation. Pell, FSEOG, state, and institutional grants generally don't need to be repaid unless you withdraw from a term after the grant is disbursed.
Can I combine grants from all four sources? Yes. A student might receive Pell, an FSEOG, a state grant, an institutional need-based grant, and an outside foundation award in the same year. Total grants cannot exceed your cost of attendance.
Do graduate students qualify for federal grants? Pell and FSEOG are undergraduate-only. The TEACH Grant is available for both. Graduate students mostly fund their education through fellowships, assistantships, and loans — see graduate school grants.
Are college grants taxable? Funds used for tuition and required fees at an eligible institution are non-taxable. Funds used for room, board, travel, and personal expenses are taxable as ordinary income.
What if I missed a state deadline? File the FAFSA anyway — you can still qualify for federal aid (Pell, FSEOG, work-study, federal loans) and institutional aid. You may not be eligible for that year's state grant, but most are renewable, so apply on time for next year.
The strongest college funding plans use all four grant types together. The starting point is always the FAFSA.