Grants for Graduate Students in US

Financial assistance for graduate students is essential as it covers course fee and other expenses which take a substantial amount otherwise. Grants for graduate students can make the essential difference here as it enables the students to pursue the course effortlessly and make the most of their career. Grants for graduate students are much like scholarships as the amount need not be returned. The only difference between scholarship and grants is that while scholarships are awarded to meritorious students, the grants for graduate students are based on the financial requirements of the candidates rather than their academic performance.

Some of the grants for graduate students are for specific functions like pursuing graduate programs in specific areas like nursing and teaching. There are numerous grant donors in these specific areas in the US and all the candidate needs to do is to select some of these for availing grants that can help them pursue their career goals specifically.

Minorities and other ethnic groups in the US are also big beneficiaries of these grants for graduate students. There are specific grants which have been devised to address their career goals. One such grant is for African American graduate students who can get specific aid from United Negro College Fund. Asian, Native American and Hispanic also enjoy the benefits of such grants for graduate students in case they fall in the bracket of candidates who are in need of such assistance.

Gender-specific grants are also available for women candidates which strive to increase the enrollment of women candidates in colleges and universities across the US. The military is another source of grants for graduate students and rewards the soldiers and their families who wish to pursue a graduate course through these grants.

In some cases, first-generation college students are specifically targeted by aid agencies as they wish to empower such students to pursue their graduate degrees. Knowledge of these grants for graduate students is available with college and university officials and they will be keen to offer assistance.

Federal Grants for Graduate Students

Federal grants are also provided to the graduate students in case they wish to pursue a graduate course at a selected institute in the US.

Teacher Education Assistance for Higher Education

This grant for graduate students provides amounts up to $4,000 per year for students who wish to pursue high-end jobs in teaching. For being eligible for receiving this grant fund, the candidate will have to teach in a high need field, teach at a school which serves low-income groups and complete at least four academic years as a teacher within eight years of them graduating.

Students who fail to meet this criterion run the risk of having their grant amount converted into a direct student loan which will then have to be returned.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

These grants for graduate students are for people who have lost either of their parents in military services post 9/11. The maximum grant amount under this category is $5,000. Students who are desirous of seeking this grant will have to fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The students will have to submit their applications before the time period for applying under FAFSA ends. Based on the information filled in the form grants for graduate students are approved.

State Grants for Graduate Students

Every state in the US has its own set of policies when it comes to offering grants for graduate students. Some of these grants are given by the government agencies while the others are offered by state organizations.

California State University System

This university issues over $80 million in form of graduate grants to needy students every year. Over 20,000 students are covered through these grants for graduate students every year by the university. This grant covers the tuition fee and other expenses of the students and family contributions are limited to only $800 in these cases.

Before enrolling for any of the graduate program in universities and colleges across the US, it would be worthy to consider if you fall under the eligibility criterion for any such grant. Take benefit of the same and make your future better.