Find a College Grants For High School Seniors – College grants are a viable resource for high school seniors who are looking for financial aid to fund their higher education. College grants for high school seniors unlike loans and student debts are not required to be repaid with interest therefore they help seniors reduce their financial burden and allow them to complete their education.
Maximizing grant opportunities for seniors can be achieved by applying for the program on time, crafting robust applications, researching external scholarship and grant opportunities, and maintaining good grades. Senior students should be aware of the eligibility requirements for grants and whether the application requires to be repeated.
It is important to plan and understand all the criteria to avail of continued financial assistance and reduce debt upon graduation. Older adult citizens who can properly leverage education grants for seniors, as well as merit or need-based scholarships, can alleviate their financial burden of pursuing higher education and fulfill their academic goals.
Highlights of this Post
How To Find College Grants For High School Seniors?
High school seniors who are beginning their search for college grants should think about the college or universities they want to attend after completing their high school education. As a high school senior, you must contact different colleges and seek information on scholarships and grant programs provided by the college for their attending students.
Every institution has some form of financial aid designed for their students as a way to bring a well-rounded and diverse student body to their campus. The availability of financial assistance and grants programs especially applicable to your specialized field will help you to decide which college to concentrate on while preparing your college application.
High school guidance counselors can help you not only in planning post-secondary education but also keep you updated with relevant college grants for high school seniors and scholarships that are provided by the federal and state governments including various colleges and universities. It is a good idea to take advice from them on financial aid programs.
After accessing relevant information from high school counselors and teachers it is time to do your research work. You can take the help of the Internet search tool to locate a wide range of subject-specific or general college grants for senior citizens. Before applying for college grants for high school seniors you need to fill out and submit FAFSA or Free Application For Federal Student Aid.
FAFSA determines the eligibility of students for state and federal-sponsored financial aid. It is used by most universities and colleges including independent organizations to assess the eligibility of students for loans, scholarships, and grants. Once you complete filing for office you will get a personalized student aid report where details like your expected family contribution and the type of financial aid that you can qualify for will be outlined.
What Are The Eligibility Requirements To Receive College Grants For High School Seniors?
The grant eligibility requirements for high school seniors may vary considerably depending on the program and organization. However, most of the programs for high school seniors prioritize adults who can demonstrate strong financial aid to attend college.
Senior citizens applying for federal grants must complete and file the Free Application For Federal Student Aid to document their financial or income status. A lot of high school students may require additional requirements such as meeting full-time or part-time student status or pursuing a major in a particular field.
For instance, the Maryland Higher Education Commission offers a part-time grant that requires applicants to be residents of Maryland, demonstrate strong needs, and enroll in college degree programs on a part-time basis.
While some government grants for low-income seniors do not have stringent requirements and just require seniors to enroll in certain programs or degrees some require them to maintain a certain GPA. If you do not follow the eligibility requirements of the grant for which you are applying then you can lose your funding.
What Are The Available Grants For College Seniors?
Following is the list of college grants for high school seniors that you can apply to get started.
Federal Grants For High School Seniors
1. The Federal Pell Grant
The federal government is an important source for high school seniors who are looking for college grants to fund their education. One such grant for college students funded by the federal government is the federal Pell Grant which is one of the most successful financial assistance programs in the country. Adults looking for government grants for disabled seniors can also qualify for the Pell Grant.
The program assists thousands of needy students including senior citizens every year to offset the cost of college education. The eligibility criteria for the Pell Grant program will be determined by your income requirements and financial need. To apply for the program you need to fill out your FAFSA.
The maximum award that you can receive for this program will be determined by your cost of attendance, your status as a part-time or full-time student, and your financial need. The maximum amount that you can receive is around $5550. To apply, call 1-800-433-3243 or visit the official site of the US Department of Education.
2. FSEO, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is available to needy students including low-income high school seniors who have been approved for Pell Grant but are facing an exceptional financial need. Pell-eligible high school seniors who require extra funds to continue their education can apply for the program.
FSEOG is sponsored by the federal government however it is administered by the financial aid office of participating universities and colleges in the USA. The grant award may range between $100 to $4000 depending on the availability of the funds.
As the program is available on a first-come first-served basis high school seniors are recommended to apply for the program as soon as possible to boost their chances of receiving financial assistance. To apply, call 1-800-433-3243 or visit the official site of the US Department of Education.
3. TEACH, Teacher Education Assistance For College And Higher Education Grant
A grant-for-service program designed to assist students who want to enter the teaching profession is known as Teacher Education Assistance For College and Higher Education. The program offers assistance of up to $4000 every year to low-income students who want to pursue a college degree.
High school seniors can become eligible for this grant if they agree to serve in a low-income area and teach in a high-need field for a minimum of four years.
The grant will be converted into a student loan for applicants who fail to fulfill the terms and conditions of the program and have to repay the award with interest. To qualify for this college grant for high school seniors you need to fill out FAFSA. To apply visit the official site of the US Department of Education.
State-Level Funding For High School Seniors
Every state has a Department of Higher Education that administers grants, loan forgiveness programs, and scholarships for eligible senior students within the state. Older adults searching for college grants for high school seniors should contact the Department of Higher Education of their state and cover their tuition costs.
High school seniors who are preparing their college fund including college students who are looking for ways to supplement their education fund should visit their state Department of Higher Education or college advisory board.
There are state-level financial aid, grants, and college scholarships that are available for high school senior students. A comprehensive list of state-funded organizations and college grants for high school seniors is provided by the Department of Education which assists senior Americans including minorities with financial assistance and helps them to pursue higher education.
Senior citizens irrespective of their state and territory in the United States of America can benefit from the financial aid and educational scholarships provided by the Department of Education.
To know about the type of organizations and college grants for high school seniors applicable in your state visit this site https://www2.ed.gov/programs/find/title/index.html?src=grants-page
Organizations And Foundations For High School Seniors Grants
1. AmeriCorps Silver Scholars
The Edward M. The Kennedy Serve America Act has established the AmeriCorps Silver Scholars Program Award for senior citizens who are 55 years old and above in age. Every senior receives an education grant of $1000 for 350 hours of performing voluntary service.
The AmeriCorps Silver Scholars can be used not only to fund your higher education but also to cover the education cost of your children, foster children, or grandchildren. To learn more details about the program visit
2. Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.)
The Philanthropic Educational Scholarship PEO was established in 1869 and is one of the leading educational foundations for women operating in North America. Senior citizens and women belonging to all ages who have stopped their education due to any reason for a minimum of two years are eligible to receive funds from the organization.
The grant award received through the organization can be used towards tuition costs only and not to meet living expenses. To apply for the education grants by PEO call (515) 255-3153 or email [email protected].
3. The GO-60 Program
The Go-60 program by Penn State University offers free tuition assistance to senior citizens who are 60 years or above in age. Prospective applicants should be residents of Pennsylvania to receive educational grants through the program.
Former Penn State employees or alumni are also eligible to receive assistance with the program. To apply for an educational grant for high school seniors through this program you can visit
4. AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
The American Association Of Retired Persons Foundation provides a policy scholarship program to low-income senior women above 50 years old. Eligible women seniors receiving a grant within six months must enroll in an accredited technical institution or school at the United States Department of Education. To apply visit the official AARP foundation site.
5. Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)
The Association on American Indian Affairs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting senior parents. Full-time American Indian students who are unable to complete their higher education because of family commitments can receive a non-renewable grant word $1500.
The scholarship program is available for seniors who want to return to college or enter college after stopping or delaying a college degree to raise their kids. To learn more details about the program visit the official AAIA website.
6. Alpha Sigma Lambda
High school seniors enrolled in undergraduate programs at a chartered Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter can apply for the Alpha Sigma Lambda scholarship for adult students.
The United States has around 300 chapters. To be eligible for financial assistance through this program high school seniors need to demonstrate a robust financial need and need to have a minimum GPA of 3.2. You can apply for the program and learn more details about college grants for high school seniors by visiting the online site.
7. JRSF, Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
Low-income women including senior women who require financial support to complete their education can receive educational grants from the Jeanette Rankin Foundation. Eligible applicants who are 35 years or above in age and want to attend their first college degree after retirement can apply for the grant program to the junior ranking foundation.
The grant award can be used to complete a degree program such as associate, technical, bachelor, and professional degrees. To apply visit the official site of the foundation.
Conclusion
Financial assistance is a primary concern for graduating high school seniors who are preparing for college. A substantial amount of funding is required by high school seniors and elderly people, particularly first-generation college prospects, to pay for college tuition and other expensive education fees. It is no secret that undergraduate education including college tuition and fees comes with a huge price tag.
Fortunately, college grants for high school seniors are available for eligible candidates who wish to complete their education either for a career switch or personal enrichment. College grants for high school seniors come from different sources like the state or federal government, scholarship programs for nonprofit organizations, and programs from colleges and universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Make My Application Stand Out?
Senior citizens can make their applications stand out by fulfilling the extra criteria of the grant program. Whether it is a video, essay, additional submission, or letter of recommendation these are critical places where you need to dedicate extra effort and time to make sure you are sending a complete, eye-catching, memorable, and unique application and stand out from other applicants.
Is It Too Late For A High School Senior To Start Applying For College Grants?
It is never too late for high school seniors who want to pursue higher education to start applying for college grants. High school seniors can not only apply for grants and scholarships that are open specifically for high school students but can also prepare for grants that are open for college students.
