is there really such a thing as free government grants and if so, how does a person get one?

Question

i've heard there are free deucation, business,etc grants available from the government. Is this for real or a scam of some sort? if real, how do you apply for them?

Answer 1

You heard partially right. There are grants for education and you can go to FAFSA for that http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ .

However, there are hardly any grants for individuals for starting a business, and NONE for people who want to pay off their bills. The government is NOT in the business of giving away free money for the sake of giving away money. Grants are free, but it means OBLIGATION. You will be obligated to do as the grant sets out to do. Grants have objectives, and your purpose must fit the objective of the grant.

For one, you have to write the grant application and the grant application is not a simple document - you have to explain how your purpose for applying for the grant fits well with the objectives set out by the grant.

There is a stringent review process through a committee. You will compete with other applicants for the grant money, and this grant review committee will evaluate the merits of each proposal. Only those that they feel exemplifies the objective of the grant will be approved.

You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.

Note though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants.

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

Answer 2

Go to this website and fill out a form called a fafsa. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
They offer all kinds of money and opportunistic ways to capitalize from being a poor college student. I have received full tuition and 2247 a semester because i am low income, you really don't have to have that low of an income, to receive benefits. Take advantage of the opportunity, i did.

The fafsa is a long form and asks all about your finances and such, but it is a great source to find grants and financial aid. IF you have a great accountant that works for you they can even find clever ways around the salary caps and get some free mony for you. I dont reccommend this but a few of my friends at my University have done this. They are even considered rich in my book.

Answer 3

It is true. I got over 80% of my tuition paid.... The first thing you should do is talk to your Counselor or Advisor at school and find out when would be the appropriate time for you to file for FAFSA.

FAFSA is the most important application when applying for scholarships and grants because many other scholarships/ grants require that you have a completed FAFSA.

In the meantime, be aware that www.fafsa.ed.gov is the official website and that www.fasfa.com is a fake.
Another thing, if you get anything sent in the snail mail (or email), if it asks for a "fee" it is fake because NO government grants ask for a fee to "search" for a scholarship/grant.

You may also be interested in the website: www.review.com as it can help you narrow down colleges, help you choose a major/ career path, and search for scholarships for you free of charge!!

Hope this helps you much.

P.S. Keep in mind that if you attend a public institution in the state of your resident, you will have a lower tuition to pay. However, if you attend one outside of your state of resident or if you attend any private university, your tuition will be higher.

Just to give you some hope.... I can tell you how much my tuition costs and how much I got in scholarships/grants if you'd like to know. Email me, I will give additional advice... ANYTHING to help you!

Much love!

Answer 4

its for real go to fasfa.gov and fill it out if you are going to college. Also there are books u can buy on applying for grants. It is for free its truly not a scam...it's not easy though the goverment will keep tabs on how you are spending your money and you have to show prove for everything.

good luck!