The cost of higher education has been rising every year, leaving students feeling discouraged and overwhelmed at the thought of financing their schooling. Fortunately, the federal government has recognized the burden of college expenses and provides numerous top federal education grants.
One of the main sources of financial aid for college students comes in the form of federal education grants. Each year, the federal government provides billions of dollars in grants to help eligible students pay for their college tuition and expenses. In this article, we will look at the top 7 federal education grants available to help students with their college expenses.
Pell Grant
The federal government offers the highly sought-after Pell Grant to students with high financial need. It assists in college costs, with a generous maximum award of $6,345 for the 2022-2023 academic year. This grant is versatile, covering tuition, fees, room and board, books, and college-related supplies.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The federal government offers the FSEOG grant to high-need students. It's highly competitive and awarded first-come, first-serve with a $4,000 maximum award for 2022-2023. It can cover tuition, fees, and room and board.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH grant motivates eligible students to pursue high-demand teaching careers. They can receive up to $4,000 per academic year for tuition, fees, and approved educational expenses. In return, recipients must commit to teaching high-needs subjects at an elementary or secondary school for four academic years within eight years of degree completion.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program offers part-time jobs to financially needy undergraduates and graduates. It pays students for their work, helping with education costs, including tuition, fees, books, and supplies. This program also promotes gaining work experience and valuable skills alongside college funding.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The federal Academic Competitiveness Grant motivates high-achieving U.S. citizens pursuing undergraduate degrees. Eligibility requires enrollment in a qualifying program and offers up to $2,500 for 2022-2023 to cover tuition, fees, books, and related expenses.
National SMART Grant
The federal National SMART Grant aids students majoring in specific fields like science, math, and engineering. It offers a $4,000 maximum award for 2022-2023 to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and related expenses. Eligibility requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and enrollment in the second academic year of an eligible program.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
The federal Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship aids high-achieving undergraduates and graduates, offering a maximum $1,500 for 2022-2023. It covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, and related expenses. Eligibility includes a minimum 3.0 GPA and a commitment to furthering education.
Final Thoughts
There are many federal grants available to help students pay for their college expenses. The top 7 federal education grants listed in this article were some of the most popular and generous grants available. If you are a student who is considering attending college, be sure to research all the federal grants available and consider applying for them as it could be the difference between paying for college and not.