There are different categories of grants available for nearly everyone who wants to pursue a college degree. One category is the student-specific grants: college grants for specific student needs. Student-specific grants, like scholarships, are not repaid. These school grants for college are designed to improve the student’s quality of life during the course of his or her education.
The most common type of student-specific grant is earmarked for female and minority students, two groups who have been traditionally under-represented in college or in specific industries. Other groups who are also served with student-specific grants are students with disabilities, students who come from low-income families, non-traditional students (often adult students) and students who are cancer survivors.
Below is a list of grants for student-specific needs.
Student-specific grants for women have increased the opportunity for female students to enter male-dominated degree programs such as mathematics, business and science. Several women’s associations offer grants specifically for minority women, disadvantaged women, single mothers and battered women.
Ethnic Grants
Grants for ethnic minority students exist because of a low representation of minorities in fields of study such as mathematics, science and business and in certain colleges. TheUnited Negro College Fund is one example of a well-known association specializing in granting college scholarships to African-American students.
Disability Grants
The Disabilities Education Act of 1975 established that students with disabilities should receive government grants and scholarships to attend colleges and universities, thus improving their chances for a college education. Disabled students can also receive money for special accommodations for which they would otherwise have to pay out of pocket.
Low-Income Grants
In order to qualify for low-income government grants, a student’s financial position is assessed by completing a the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This assessment determines the student’s ability to contribute to their education and their parents’ contribution. The Federal PELL Grant is the most recognized of these federal grants for college.
Non-Traditional Grants
Adults returning to college have several opportunities for receiving student-specific grants or college scholarships. The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition grant is such a school grant for college specifically for adults facing physical, economic, or social challenges.
Survivor Grants
People who have survived health challenges can find student-specific college grants and scholarships. One example is the Cancer Survivor’s Fund that provides financial aid to students who have survived cancer and are willing to donate time to encourage and inspire other cancer survivors.
You can apply for student loans to subsidize any student-specific grants for which you are eligible.