Various organizations provide popular educational grants to help individuals advance their education without incurring student loans or debt. Popular grants award based on merit, financial need, special talents, or a combination of these criteria.
Given the large number of educational grants available, it can be difficult to determine which grants provide the most benefits. This article offers clarity by highlighting the five most beneficial educational grants.
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is the core federal grant program that provides financial aid to students who demonstrate high need. This grant is available to all U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who are in qualifying colleges or universities nationwide.
Eligible students can get up to $6,345 per school year if they haven’t earned a bachelor or professional degree. The Pell Grant amount depends on evaluating their Family Contribution (EFC) through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Pell Grant has no repayment requirements and is only available to undergraduate students.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is a type of federal aid available to students whose parents (or guardians) died as a result of military service in Iraq and Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The Pell Grant recipient qualifies because their parents either passed away or lack sufficient U.S. work history for EFC eligibility. This grant carries the same award amount as the Pell Grant, and repayment is not obligatory.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant supports those planning to teach in low-income schools or high-need education fields. Grant recipients can get up to $4,000 annually for up to 8 academic years during their undergraduate or graduate studies. The funds serve as the primary source for tuition, fees, and books but also cover other education-related expenses.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program awards up to $1,500 to graduating U.S. high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Qualifications vary by state, including academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, career goals, and community service. The U.S. Department of Education grants these awards, and they can be renewed for up to four academic years.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) provides three levels of support to graduate students pursuing research-based Master’s and Doctoral degrees in STEM fields. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for the fellowship, which provides support for tuition and fees, along with a competitive stipend of up to $34,000 per academic year for up to three years. In addition, fellows receive training and mentoring from science and engineering leaders with close industry ties, creating invaluable opportunities for future leadership positions in research and development.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to educational grants, there are many options available. This article has highlighted five of the most popular educational grants with the most benefits: the Pell Grant, the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
Understanding the criteria and benefits of each of these grants can help students navigate the grant process and choose the grant that best fits their educational needs.
